Squid Game Actor Talks Hesitation in Playing Trans Woman (And What Changed Their Mind)

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In the second round of the Squid Game, Seong Gi-hun found himself embroiled in another set of life-threatening games, encountering fresh challenges this time around. Given that our protagonist was the sole survivor from the initial tournament, several characters from season one didn’t reappear for round two. The new participants vying for a chance to turn their lives around featured some intriguing figures, with Cho Hyun-ju being one of the most debated. In this popular series, Cho Hyun-ju is a transgender character portrayed by cisgender actor Park Sung-hoon. Lately, he has spoken openly about the controversy surrounding his role and the reasons behind his decision to continue playing it.

While talking to Variety, actor Sung-hoon expressed his awe at landing the part of Hyun-ju and shared his apprehensions about joining the cast. He mentioned that as a cisgender male, he was worried about portraying a trans woman authentically. He emphasized the importance of approaching the role with care and sensitivity. In preparation for the character, Sung-hoon sought advice from transgender individuals to gain insights and ensure a more accurate portrayal of one of Squid Game’s most significant new characters.

Squid Game’s Most Controversial Character

Park expressed his aspirations for his Squid Game character, Hyun-ju, to potentially challenge some of the biases that emerged from the series’ popularity. He hopes that individuals belonging to these communities will no longer face discrimination or societal disadvantages as a result. Furthermore, he wishes for everyone to feel empowered to be authentic and confident in their true selves.

In the filming of season two, Sung-hoon shared insights about modifications he proposed for his character: “I was responsible for giving her a short, edgy haircut and suggesting the final ‘Understood’ line in the scene where she demonstrates the use of the MP5 submachine gun. I did this because I believe it adds to her strength and ferocity as an ex-Special Forces soldier.

In addition, the actor shared his thoughts on the feedback he’s received: ” frankly, there are so many messages I haven’t been able to get through them all. People have thanked me for my portrayal of Hyun-ju, praised me for staying true to her and doing her justice. I especially appreciated comments saying they hadn’t seen a trans character like this before, that it was inspiring and empowering for them. Reading these words, I feel both relief and a strong sense of pride.

The Future of Cho Hyun-ju in Squid Game

After the participants’ rebellion against the organizers of the Squid Game, Hyun-ju managed to make it through the series and has been confirmed for a significant role in Season 3, set to premiere this summer (although an exact release date hasn’t been announced yet). It remains thrilling to speculate whether Netflix will extend the franchise beyond Season 3 given the massive popularity of Squid Game.

Via Variety

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2025-01-28 18:39