The Tragic Truth Of Cho Hyun-ju: 7 Shocking Facts About Squid Game's Transgender Character And The Casting Controversy

The introduction of a new character in the highly anticipated second season of Netflix’s global phenomenon, Squid Game, has sparked a global conversation on representation, casting ethics, and the marginalized LGBTQ+ community in South Korea. As of December 10, 2025, the character at the center of this dialogue is Cho Hyun-ju, or Player 120, a transgender woman whose tragic motivation for entering the deadly games is deeply rooted in a quest for acceptance and survival.

Hyun-ju’s story—a former elite soldier facing a crippling debt for her gender-affirming care—is a fresh and poignant narrative that brings a new layer of social commentary to the series. However, the revelation that the role is played by cisgender male actor Park Sung-hoon has ignited a fiery debate, forcing both the creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk, and the actor to address the controversial decision head-on, shedding light on the harsh realities of the Korean entertainment industry.

Park Sung-hoon: Biography and Full Filmography Profile

The actor tasked with bringing the complex and pivotal character of Cho Hyun-ju to life is the acclaimed South Korean actor, Park Sung-hoon. Born on February 18, 1985, in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi-do, Park Sung-hoon has built a formidable career, often taking on roles with significant dramatic weight. His casting in Squid Game Season 2 and Squid Game Season 3 has catapulted him to international recognition, following a string of successful TV and film appearances.

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His approach to the role of Hyun-ju was reportedly one of extreme care, working closely with the production team to ensure authenticity and avoid stereotypical portrayals of a transgender woman. His commitment to the character is a major focus of the discourse surrounding the show’s newest season.

Key Roles and Filmography (Selected Entities)

• Born: February 18, 1985, Gwacheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
• Debut: Film, A Frozen Flower (2008)
• Breakout Role: Drama, My Only One (2018)
• The Glory (TV Series, 2022–2023): Jeon Jae-joon (A major role that brought him global fame)
• Queen of Tears (TV Series, 2024): Yoon Eun-sung
• Squid Game (TV Series, 2024): Cho Hyun-ju / Player 120 (Seasons 2 & 3)
• Psychopath Diary (TV Series, 2019–2020): Seo In-woo
• Memorials (aka Into the Ring) (TV Series, 2020): Seo Gong-myung
• Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum (Film, 2018): Seong-hun
• High Society (Film, 2018): Lee Ji-wook
• The Great Show (TV Series, 2019): Kang Jun-ho
• Justice (TV Series, 2019): Tak Soo-ho
• Black Knight: The Man Who Guards Me (TV Series, 2017–2018)
• Six Flying Dragons (TV Series, 2015–2016)
• The Distributors (Film, 2022): Do Yoo-Bin
• Forbidden Dream (Film, 2019): Yi-Hyang
• R2B: Return to Base (Film, 2012)
• Woochi (Film, 2009)
• Seven Days (Film, 2007)

The Tragic and Heroic Profile of Player 120: Cho Hyun-ju

Cho Hyun-ju, known as Player 120, is arguably the most talked-about new character in the second season of Squid Game. Her character is a powerful exploration of the financial and societal burdens faced by transgender individuals in South Korea and globally. Hyun-ju is introduced not just as a contestant, but as a figure of incredible resilience and a compelling backstory.

The character's debt is explicitly tied to her need for funds to complete her gender-affirming care, including surgery, a detail that immediately grounds her struggle in a specific, high-stakes reality. This narrative choice elevates her beyond a simple contestant, making her a symbol of those forced to risk everything for the right to live authentically.

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Before entering the deadly competition, Hyun-ju served with distinction as a Sergeant First Class in the Republic of Korea (ROK) Special Forces. This background provides her with a unique skill set—bravery, loyalty, and tactical intelligence—that makes her a formidable and protective ally within the game. Unlike many contestants driven by pure desperation, Hyun-ju’s motivation is intensely personal and deeply sympathetic, resonating with themes of identity and financial inequality.

Throughout Season 2, Hyun-ju quickly establishes herself as a heroic figure, demonstrating loyalty and a protective nature toward her close friends and other players. Her complex personality—a blend of a hardened soldier and a woman seeking a path to her true self—made her a standout character and a fan favorite, further amplifying the conversation around her representation.

The Cisgender Casting Controversy and Director’s Defense

The decision to cast Park Sung-hoon, a cisgender male actor, as Cho Hyun-ju, a transgender woman, immediately sparked a significant backlash among international fans and LGBTQ+ advocates. This cisgender casting controversy is part of a larger, ongoing debate in the entertainment world about whether roles for marginalized communities should be reserved for actors who share that lived experience.

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The show's creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk, addressed the criticism directly, offering a defense rooted in the socio-cultural realities of the Korean entertainment industry. He stated that it was "near impossible" to find a transgender actress in South Korea who was both openly out and had the necessary experience, visibility, and willingness to take on such a high-profile role. This explanation highlighted the marginalization of the LGBTQ+ community in Korea, suggesting that the limited casting pool is a symptom of a deeper societal issue.

Park Sung-hoon’s Approach to Authenticity

Park Sung-hoon also spoke candidly about the pressure and responsibility he felt in taking on the role. He acknowledged the potential for offense and stressed that his primary goal was to portray Hyun-ju with authenticity and dignity, consciously avoiding any stereotypical or caricatured elements. He consulted extensively with the production team to ensure his performance was respectful and nuanced, focusing on the character's humanity, bravery, and complex motivations rather than solely on her gender identity.

The director's casting decision, while controversial, was intended to be a "huge net positive" for the visibility of transgender issues in Korean media. By making Cho Hyun-ju a central, heroic, and complex figure, the show places the discussion of gender identity, gender-affirming care, and LGBTQ representation front and center on a global stage, a significant step in a country where such topics are still often avoided or sensationalized.

Hyun-ju’s Impact on Korean Drama LGBTQ Representation

The introduction of Cho Hyun-ju marks a crucial moment for LGBTQ representation in K-dramas. Historically, transgender characters in Korean media have been rare, often relegated to minor roles, or portrayed through outdated and stereotypical lenses. Hyun-ju’s prominence in a major Netflix production like Squid Game signifies a shift.

Her character challenges traditional narratives by presenting a trans woman who is not defined by trauma or exposition, but by her strength, her past as a former soldier, and her powerful drive to survive. While the casting remains a point of contention, the mere existence of a well-developed, central trans character whose struggle is a commentary on financial inequality is considered a monumental step forward in bringing visibility to the community in the global market.

The complex layers of Hyun-ju’s story—from her military background to her need for gender-affirming care—create a powerful social commentary on the cost of living authentically. As Squid Game Season 2 continues to dominate discussions, Cho Hyun-ju stands as a powerful, albeit controversial, icon of resilience and a catalyst for change regarding the visibility of transgender identities in the Korean entertainment industry and beyond.