The much-awaited second season of Squid Game arrives on Netflix on December 26, 2024, with Lee Jung Jae reprising his role as Seong Gi Hun. Amidst the excitement for the new cast, controversy surrounds the casting of Park Sung Hoon as Hyun Ju, a transgender character.
Park Sung Hoon, known for his roles in The Glory and Queen Of Tears, has sparked a range of reactions due to his portrayal of a transgender character. Many have argued that a transgender artist should have been cast for the role.
Director’s Response to Casting Controversy
In a recent interview with TV Guide, Hwang Dong Hyuk, the creator and director of Squid Game, addressed the casting decision. He acknowledged the expected discussions regarding Park Sung Hoon‘s role:
I did anticipate such discussions to arise from the first moment I began creating the character Hyun Ju.
— Hwang Dong Hyuk
Hwang Dong Hyuk elaborated on the challenges of finding an openly transgender actor in South Korea, where the LGBTQ community still faces significant marginalization:
In the beginning we were doing our research, and I was thinking of doing an authentic casting of a trans actor. […] When we researched in Korea, there are close to no actors that are openly trans, let alone openly gay, because unfortunately in the Korean society currently the LGBTQ community is rather still marginalized and more neglected, which is heartbreaking.
— Hwang Dong Hyuk
Given these circumstances, Hwang Dong Hyuk expressed confidence in Park Sung Hoon, stating:
With this in mind, Hwang added that he trusted that Park “would be the right person in terms of talent in portraying this character.”
Squid Game Season 2 is set to explore new themes and introduce new characters, continuing the dark, thrilling narrative that made the first season a global hit.
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