5 Shocking Facts About Player 120 In Squid Game: Is The Actor Transgender In Real Life?

The question of whether the actor portraying Player 120 is transgender in real life has become one of the most-searched topics following the highly anticipated release of Squid Game Season 2 and 3. As of today, December 11, 2025, the reality is that the actor, Park Sung-hoon, is a cisgender male, while the character he plays, Cho Hyun-ju (Player 120), is a transgender woman, a former special forces soldier who enters the deadly competition to fund her gender-affirming surgery.

This casting choice has ignited a significant global conversation, placing the character of Player 120 at the center of a fresh debate about representation in Korean media and the ethical considerations of casting cisgender actors in transgender roles. The depth of Cho Hyun-ju's story—a powerful yet vulnerable competitor fighting for a life-altering medical procedure—has resonated deeply with audiences, making the distinction between the actor's real-life identity and the character's portrayal a critical point of discussion for fans and critics alike.

Park Sung-hoon: Actor Behind Player 120's Biography and Profile

The compelling performance of Player 120, Cho Hyun-ju, is delivered by the seasoned South Korean actor, Park Sung-hoon (박성훈). Known for his versatile roles across film and television, Park Sung-hoon has cultivated a strong career in the demanding Korean entertainment industry, often taking on complex and challenging characters.

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Here is a detailed look at his professional and personal profile:

• Full Name: Park Sung-hoon (박성훈)
• Date of Birth: February 18, 1985
• Age (as of 2025): 40
• Nationality: South Korean
• Occupation: Actor
• Agency: BH Entertainment
• Debut Year: 2008
• Notable Filmography Highlights:
  • Film: A Frozen Flower (2008), Midnight Runners (2017), Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum (2018)
  • Television/Drama: My Only One (2018), Psychopath Diary (2019), The King: Eternal Monarch (2020), The Glory (2022-2023), and Squid Game (Season 2 & 3)
• Breakout Role: Park Sung-hoon garnered significant critical acclaim and recognition for his role as Seong-hun in the horror film Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum.

Park Sung-hoon's extensive background in various genres, from horror to romantic comedy and intense drama, demonstrates the skill and experience he brought to the emotionally charged role of Cho Hyun-ju. His casting in such a high-profile, globally scrutinized role further cemented his reputation as a versatile and dedicated actor in the Hallyu wave.

The Truth Behind Player 120: Character Identity vs. Actor's Reality

The core of the online curiosity—"is player 120 trans in real life"—stems from the powerful narrative arc of the character, Cho Hyun-ju. In Squid Game, Player 120 is explicitly written as a transgender woman, a detail that is integral to her motivation for entering the deadly competition. Her backstory reveals her as a former special forces soldier who needs the prize money to afford gender-affirming surgery, a procedure that is often prohibitively expensive and difficult to access in South Korea.

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However, the actor, Park Sung-hoon, is a cisgender man. The show's creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk, addressed this casting decision directly, acknowledging the controversy but offering a "heartbreaking" reason for the choice.

The Creator's "Heartbreaking" Explanation for Casting

The decision to cast a cis male actor in a trans female role was met with mixed reactions, leading to a public statement from the series creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk. He explained that the production team conducted an extensive search in Korea for an openly transgender actress who possessed the necessary acting experience and skill set to handle the complexity and physical demands of the role, which includes the character's background as a former soldier.

Hwang Dong-hyuk stated that the difficulty in finding a suitable openly trans actor with the required profile led them to cast Park Sung-hoon. He described this situation as a reflection of the systemic issues and limited opportunities for transgender actors within the Korean film and television industry.

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The creator's defense centered on the idea that the character's story was too important to omit, and their priority was to ensure the role was portrayed with the necessary gravitas and professionalism, even if it meant casting a cis actor. This explanation, while attempting to be transparent, highlights the ongoing global conversation about whether a character's identity is more important than the actor's lived experience, especially in a show with such a massive international platform.

Player 120's Impact on Transgender Visibility and LSI Keywords

Regardless of the casting debate, the character of Cho Hyun-ju, Player 120, has undeniably had a significant impact on transgender visibility in mainstream global entertainment. Her story is a powerful exploration of identity, sacrifice, and the extreme lengths individuals will go to for self-actualization and acceptance. The character's strength, resourcefulness, and emotional depth resonated with the audience, making her a fan favorite and a central figure in the narrative of *Squid Game* Season 2 and 3.

The character's story touches on several key themes and LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keywords that drive current online discussions:

• Gender Affirming Surgery Funding: Hyun-ju's primary motivation—to fund a critical medical procedure—shines a light on the financial barriers faced by many in the transgender community globally.
• Transgender Representation in K-Drama: Her presence marks a notable, though controversial, inclusion of a transgender lead in a major Korean production, prompting discussions about authentic representation and the need for more diverse casting.
• Cisgender Actor in Trans Role: This is the core of the controversy, fueling searches for "Park Sung-hoon gender identity" and "Squid Game cis casting debate."
• Former Special Forces Soldier: The character's background adds a layer of complexity, subverting stereotypes and portraying a transgender woman as a figure of immense strength and strategic capability.

The character's development and eventual fate within the games serve as a poignant commentary on societal pressures and the high cost of living authentically. The sheer volume of searches for "is Player 120 trans in real life" proves the character's cultural significance and the audience's deep investment in her identity and story.

The Broader Conversation: Transgender Actors and Authentic Casting

The casting of Park Sung-hoon as Cho Hyun-ju is a microcosm of a much larger, ongoing debate within the entertainment industry worldwide. While some argue for the creative freedom of actors to portray any role, the prevailing sentiment among LGBTQ+ advocates is the necessity of authentic casting, especially for marginalized roles. They argue that casting transgender actors not only provides much-needed employment opportunities but also brings an invaluable level of lived experience and nuance to the performance that a cisgender actor cannot fully replicate.

In the context of South Korea, where LGBTQ+ issues, including transgender rights and visibility, are still navigating a complex social and political landscape, the casting decision is particularly sensitive. Hwang Dong-hyuk's explanation highlights the systemic challenges—a lack of established, openly trans talent—but for many, it underscores the need for creators in powerful positions to actively foster and develop that talent pool rather than defaulting to cisgender actors. The global success of Squid Game means this debate is now on the world stage, pushing conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion in Korean media to the forefront.

Ultimately, while the actor Park Sung-hoon is a cisgender man, the legacy of Player 120, Cho Hyun-ju, will be her powerful and groundbreaking presence as a transgender woman fighting for her life and identity on the world's most watched survival show. Her story is a testament to the enduring human desire for acceptance and the right to live an authentic life, making her one of the most compelling and discussed characters of the entire Squid Game series.