Among the new characters, the spotlight is on the transgender character “Hyun-joo” (played by actor Park Sung-hoon). However, this choice sparked strongly divided reactions at national and international levels.
On December 5, Netflix unveiled promotional materials for the second season of “Squid Game,” including a video introducing the main characters and posters with participant numbers. In the video, the actors described their characters’ backstories, revealing their dedication to the project. Park Sung-hoon’s character Hyun-joo, an MTF (male to female) transgender individual who joins the deadly game to afford gender affirmation surgery, has attracted a lot of attention.
Hyun-joo’s poster depicts her wearing heavy makeup and smiling, symbolizing the character’s multifaceted nature. In an interview, Park Sung-hoon described Hyun-joo as “a strong, leadership-driven individual who challenges social prejudices” and promised to present her as a character who breaks stereotypes.
Following the casting reveal, criticism emerged on platforms such as X (formerly Twitter). Some international viewers expressed disappointment, questioning, “Why wasn’t the role given to a real transgender actor?Others have openly said that the casting decision made them angry. In Western media environments, there is a strong emphasis on the rights and representation of marginalized communities, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. Many argue that opportunities to play transgender characters should be reserved for transgender actors.
In Western cultural contexts, ensuring that various communities can authentically represent themselves on screen has become a key issue. The transgender community, in particular, has long criticized the practice of casting non-transgender actors to play transgender characters, which they see as a commodification of their lived experiences. The casting controversy surrounding “Squid Game 2” reflects this ongoing conversation.
This debate has even reached mainstream online communities in Korea, where the response has largely been one of confusion. Many Korean netizens struggle to understand the uproar, as casting decisions in Korea are generally based on an actor’s performance skills and the overall quality of the production. Social messaging, such as representation from minority communities, tends to play a less significant role in driving discussions.
Furthermore, transgender characters are rarely depicted in Korean dramas, and the introduction of such characters is valued differently in Korea than in Western countries. Korean audiences seem less focused on the cultural and social implications of the casting choice and more on the actor’s ability to play the role effectively. Some even attribute the controversy to cultural differences.
As a global project aimed at an international audience, “Squid Game 2” faces the complex challenge of addressing different cultural sensitivities in every aspect of the production, from casting to storytelling. The debate over Park Sung-hoon’s character highlights the larger question of how global content should approach diversity and inclusiveness.
Source: Wikitree
