He wanted to ground Hyunjoo in realism.
Koreaboo
Actor Sung Hoon Park attracted a lot of attention from around the world with her portrayal of Hyunjoo, a transgender special forces officer, in Squid game 2. Known for his versatility, Park says he approached this role with a commitment to authenticity, avoiding the exaggerated portrayals often seen in the media.
In a recent interview, Park shared her process, highlighting the importance of grounding Hyunjoo in realism. Park wanted viewers to see Hyunjoo not only as a strong character, but also as a deeply human character shaped by her life experiences.
I tried to avoid excessive voice modulations or exaggerated gestures. Instead, I focused on understanding what kind of life Hyun Joo had lived, what disadvantages she had faced, and how she performed in the game to build the character.
I wanted to convey a sense of unease at Hyun-joo’s strength and determination. Instead of simply portraying her as strong and unwavering, I thought adding layers of concern and leadership would make her appear more multidimensional.
—Park Sung Hoon
Hyunjoo’s story was partially inspired by Byun Hee SooSouth Korea’s first openly transgender soldier, who faced significant discrimination after coming out. According to Park, director Hwang Dong Hyuk he wrote the character with Byun in mind. However, Park noted that he did not aim to replicate Byun’s story, but instead drew on challenges Hyunjoo might have faced to give the character depth.
After I joined the project, director Hwang told me that he had Byun Hee-soo in mind when writing the character. However, I did not attempt to imitate. Instead, I built Hyun Joo’s character layer by layer, thinking about the disadvantages and difficulties she must have faced throughout her life.
—Park Sung Hoon
Every aspect of Hyunjoo’s portrayal was carefully considered. Park collaborated with the production team on her appearance, experimenting with hair and makeup to create a look that felt right. Her voice acting was also intentional, balancing a softer tone for everyday moments with deeper inflections during intense scenes to reflect her inner strength and struggles.
Director Hwang Dong Hyuk, the costume and makeup team leaders, and I experimented with various looks, including short and long hairstyles, to find the right fit. We also tried different nail colors. At first glance, I thought I looked a lot like my older sister. He didn’t know that I would accept this role, but after watching the series he praised and supported me.
I used a higher pitch than my usual voice because my natural voice is very deep. However, during intense and life-threatening moments, my voice revealed a stronger sense of masculinity. I believed that emotions were necessary to adapt to the moment. We filmed each scene after detailed discussions with the director.
—Park Sung Hoon
Therefore, Park says she wants to provide a portrait that goes beyond the clichés, offering a new perspective on transgender representation in the K-Drama scene.
