Park Sung-hoon, who plays Hyun-ju (Player 120) in the second season of Squid Game, has revealed his commitment to ensuring the character was portrayed with authenticity and respect.
The decision to cast Park, a cisgender male, in the role of a transgender woman sparked debate among fans. Series creator Hwang Dong-hyuk explained that casting a transgender actor in South Korea presented significant challenges.
Speaking to Korea JoongAng Daily, Park shared that his upbringing with sisters helped him develop a feminine sensibility that Hwang recognised. The director reportedly became confident in Park’s ability after seeing his performance in the 2021 drama Hee-soo, where he played a grieving father.
“I never wanted to overdo the voice or exaggerate my gestures,” Park said, noting that he approached the role of Hyun-ju with “detail and caution.” To ensure authenticity, he consulted with members of the transgender community.
“My natural voice is quite deep, and I felt altering it too much would undermine the emotional authenticity,” he explained, adding that the director shared his vision for a restrained, respectful portrayal.
Hyun-ju’s look was a collaborative creation, with Park suggesting the character’s distinctive short bangs, which became a memorable part of her appearance.
The actor recently faced criticism for sharing an adult video parody of Squid Game on Instagram, for which he apologised publicly. Speaking about the incident, he said: “A mistake is a mistake, but I still believe it was wrong. I take full responsibility and will endure the consequences. I only hope viewers approach the series with a warm heart.”
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