“Squid Game 2” Transgender Character Sparks Major Reactions Amid Controversial Casting
Netizens have reacted to the transgender character in Squid Game 2 , which initially caused controversy due to the casting.
One of the new stars was The Glory and Queen of Tears actor Park Sung Hoon.
He plays one of the new characters introduced in Squid Game 2. His character, Hyun Ju (also romanized as Hyun Joo, is a transgender woman who joins the Squid Game competition to win money for gender-affirming surgery.
After the announcement was made, it triggered a heated debate.
While many felt that the role should have gone to an actual transgender actress, others anticipated transgender representation and the criticism a real transgender star would get by playing the role, especially amid parts of Korea having traditional views about gender and sexuality.
Yet, as the series aired on December 26, netizens couldn’t stop praising Sung Hoon’s performance. Fans believed he did justice to the role and Hyun Ju’s character, with many saying the character “carried” the show (which received criticism).
appreciation tweet for park sunghoon for playing this role so gracefully and standing out the bravest and the best. my girl you are so loved #SquidGame2 pic.twitter.com/3FBJtzTZV2
— 𓅪 (@alfiyastic) December 26, 2024
Player 120 현주 is my favorite in #SquidGame2 They’ve actually created a good background & character development for her and #ParkSungHoon portrayed her effectively, as expected 👏👏👏
(But this season pales in comparison to the first one imho)pic.twitter.com/oQx30JDYJb
— Karie ✴︎ (@karie_202) December 26, 2024
Player 120 is the only character i rooted for. People judged her in the beginning but she actually helped her team won a game & assisted on executing their plan in the end. #ParkSunghoon nailed this role again! He never disappoints! 😭👏🏻#SquidGame
— ann🍄 (@anythingkworthy) December 27, 2024
My favorite character from S2 of #SquidGame2
She gave it her all from start to finish in the rounds of each game; Her story moved me and she survived because grandma stopped her.
PD: the incredible and talented actor that you are #ParkSungHoon and he carried the entire K-drama. pic.twitter.com/iTqpgECpNN
— StayWithMeS2 🤍💫 | #TheTaleOfLadyOk era ♥️🌹❤️🔥 (@lalisalvr22) December 26, 2024
Along with Sung Hoon’s acting, netizens praised the storytelling and details behind the character, including the development and portrayal in the show, along with the hardships.
// squid game season 2 spoilers
it’s the way this show put an old woman, a pregnant woman, and a trans woman together and outright said they are all valid as women moved me to tears holy fucking shit
— fish bowl 🇻🇪 | wrioluc disease (@chewy_bunni) December 27, 2024
the only character this season who was fully developed and stole the screen in ever scene she was in. we stan hyunju (player 120) in this house 🙏 #parksunghoon pic.twitter.com/1IkTIrzzf4
— b (@jongwoojanu) December 27, 2024
Hyunju (player 120) the best character this season for sure.#SquidGame2 | #SquidGame pic.twitter.com/Icbgx2grDK
— Ramiya 2.0 (@yehtuhogaaa) December 26, 2024
"You're beautiful too, unnie"
This is my fav team… Hyun Ju's arc so far I liked it and the way yong mi and yongsik and his mom interact and cooperate with her 😭💜🌈#SquidGame2 pic.twitter.com/S6PL9FcYwR
— Lee Yun (@LeeYunnes) December 26, 2024
You can read the comments about the character from the director below.
