Park Sung Hoon is one of the most attention-grabbing "Squid Game 2" players. The reason is, the actor born in 1985 plays a transgender character named Hyun Joo who needs money for a sex change operation. At the press conference for "Squid Game 2" held on December 9, 2024, director Hwang Dong Hyuk talked about the character Hyun Joo.
The director initially revealed the character's positive personality, even in a desperate situation. "Hyun Joo is a transgender woman who enters a deadly game to raise money for gender confirmation surgery. Unlike many other participants, she is brave and selfless," said director Dong Hyuk. "He also has strong leadership qualities," added the "Squid Game 2" director.
The man then revealed the reason why he included a transgender character, even though the drama's plot is not related to LGBTQ+ issues. "I wanted to include more marginalized characters in season two, similar to Ali the migrant worker and the North Korean defector in season one. For Season 2, I wanted to include at least one or two more minority characters," he said.
"That's how Hyun Joo's character, an LGBTQ+ participant, came about," continued director Dong Hyuk. He then revealed the significance of Hyun Joo's character in "Squid Game 2" which represents someone who is very oppressed. "Personally, I believe Hyun Joo will be one of the most beloved and impactful characters in season 2.
Although she represents someone who is extremely oppressed and isolated in a chaotic world, she also exemplifies human resilience," the director continued. Director Dong Hyuk is even sure that Hyun Joo will be one of the audience's favorite characters in "Squid Game 2" among the many unique roles in the drama.
"I think the audience will really like her story," the director concluded. On the other hand, Sung Hoon's role was controversial. International audiences thought Hyun Joo's character should have been played by a real transgender. However, Korean netizens were full of support for Sung Hoon.
According to netizens, casting decisions in Korea are usually based on the actors’ acting skills and the overall quality of the production. Social messages, such as representation of minority communities, tend to play a lesser role in casting discussions. Meanwhile, "Squid Game 2" will air on December 26, 2024.
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