Squid Game creator and director Hwang Dong-hyuk addresses criticism surrounding the casting of Park Sung-hoon, a cisgender male actor, as Hyun-ju, a trans woman, in season 2 of the hit Netflix series. Hyun-ju, a former special forces soldier, risks her life to play a series of deadly children's games to fund her gender-affirming surgery. Returning to the dystopian series, Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) and the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun) of the enigmatic organization behind the games take center stage in a thrilling story about capitalism, exploitation, class disparity, and the true nature of humanity.
In an interview with TV Guide, Hwang explained why he chose Park over a transgender actor to play Hyun-ju. The inclusion of a trans competitor in Squid Gameis a significant moment for LGBTQ+ representation in Korean dramas where queer characters, especially trans, are incredibly lacking. However, the casting choice has led to some online backlash, with many questioning why a trans actor wasn’t cast in the role. Here's what the director had to say:
I did anticipate such discussions to arise from the first moment I began creating the character Hyun-ju. In the beginning, we were doing our research, and I was thinking of doing an authentic casting of a trans actor. When we researched in Korea, there are close to no actors that are openly trans, let alone openly gay, because, unfortunately, in the Korean society currently the LGBTQ community is rather still marginalized and more neglected, which is heartbreaking.
It was near impossible to find someone who we could cast authentically. And that led us to the decision to cast Sung-hoon. I have watched his work ever since his debut, and I had complete trust in him that he would be the right person in terms of talent in portraying this character.
What The Casting Of Squid Game's Trans Character Means
Hyun-ju’s inclusion in Squid Game season 2 represents a rare instance of LGBTQ+ representation in Korean dramas, where such characters are few and far between. As a transgender woman navigating both prejudice and fatal competitions, Hyun-ju demonstrates an admirable level of resilience and leadership in a society that often marginalizes its queer citizens.
While her presence on the mainstream show marks progress, the decision to cast a cis man in the role has fueled an ongoing debate about authentic representation in film and television. Hwang’s comments reveal the systemic challenges of casting LGBTQ+ actors in South Korea, where same-sex marriage remains illegal and same-sex relations among military service members are criminalized. In a country still grappling with equality issues, authentic representation can be a challenging expectation to meet where trans actors may not feel comfortable outing themselves.
Although Park’s portrayal brought a level of nuance and depth to Hyun-ju’s character, the casting choice also risks perpetuating misconceptions about trans identities, such as that trans women are "men pretending to be women." Nonetheless, the Emilia Perez controversy showed that even a trans woman playing a trans character does not make a project immune from criticisms of misrepresentation. Ultimately, Hyun-ju’s arc could inspire greater inclusivity in Korean entertainment, but it also highlights the work still needed to achieve authentic representation across the globe.
Our Take On Squid Game’s Casting Of Hyun-ju
There's Always Room for Growth
The inclusion of Hyun-ju in Squid Game season 2 is undeniably a step forward for LGBTQ+ representation in Korean media, particularly in a country where such visibility remains limited. Thankfully, Park offered a compelling performance that did her justice. By introducing a transgender character with a complex backstory and personal stakes, the series is pushing boundaries within an industry often hesitant to explore these narratives (which notably still exists outside of South Korea).
However, the decision to cast a cis male actor in the role highlights the persistent challenges of authentic representation. While Hwang’s explanation sheds light on the systemic barriers for openly trans actors in South Korea, it also shows how far the industry has to go in creating an environment where marginalized voices can thrive.
That said, Hyun-ju’s presence in a globally acclaimed series like Squid Game is significant. It has the potential to spark meaningful conversations about LGBTQ+ representation internationally. This moment is imperfect but important, signaling progress while reminding us of the work still needed to achieve true equality. Ultimately, trans people deserve to see themselves wholly on the big screen—an opportunity awarded to cis people since the inception of the industry.
In Squid Game, a mysterious invitation to join a competition is sent to people at risk who are in dire need of money. Four hundred fifty-six participants from all walks of life are locked into a secret location where they play games to win 45.6 billion won. Games are selected from traditional Korean children's games, such as Red Light and Green Light, but the consequence of losing is death. To survive, competitors must choose their alliances carefully - but the further they go in the competition, the more likely betrayal will rear its ugly head.
Release Date
September 17, 2021
Finale Year
November 30, 2024
Cast
Wi Ha-joon
, Anupam Tripathi
, Oh Yeong-su
, Heo Sung-tae
, Park Hae-soo
, Jung Ho-yeon
, Lee Jung-jae
, Kim Joo-ryoung
English (US) ·