Warning, spoilers! This article discusses a plot element of Season 2 of Squid Game. If you haven’t seen it yet and don’t want to understand its content, don’t read on.
That’s right, Squid Game is back after a three-year wait. Thus, fans find Gi-hoon (Lee Jung-jae) determined to take revenge on the organizers of the game, and therefore returned to this hellish lair to achieve his goals. There he is surrounded by new candidates in debt and ready to risk his life in the hope of better days. Among these candidates is Hyun-joo.
A trans character, the first in a Squid Game
With Hyun-ju, Squid Game seems to mark a shift towards more diverse representation. This character, an ex-soldier-turned-transgender woman who participated in the game to fund a gender-affirmation operation, embodies strength and resilience. A function For Netflix, actor Park Sung-hoon describes Hyun-joo as a symbol of inspiration: “She breaks stereotypes with her determination and natural leadership.“Rare Representation in Korean Broadcasting, Where Transgender Stories Remain Marginalized.
However, this progress is accompanied by heated debate. While some welcome this initiative, others strongly criticize the casting choice. The question is that Park Sung-hoon, a cisgender actor, is playing the role. The decision raises complex questions about trans representation in film and television, sparking a global debate about the media’s role in the perception of minorities.
Contested Casting: The Eternal Debate of Legitimacy
The controversy isn’t the character’s existence, but the casting of a cisgender actress as a trans woman. Many on social networks condemn this choice and believe that it perpetuates harmful stereotypes. Jen Richards, a transgender actress and producer, discussed this issue in the documentary Disclosure:When cis men play trans women, it reinforces the idea that they are men in disguise. This perception contributes to violence against trans women.“
Some fans still defend the choice, arguing that it would be difficult to find a trans actress in South Korea. However, this argument is debatable: trans talents like Lee Si-yeon or Choi Hae-joon do exist, albeit not so prominently in the still-conservative industry. For others, casting a trans actor would be a powerful symbolic gesture, even at the cost of additional challenges.
The South Korean context: A challenge for standardization
South Korea remains a complex environment for LGBTQIA+ minorities. Despite the absence of legal barriers to access to transitional medical care, social and economic discrimination continues. For example, the health insurance system does not cover this care and many doctors still refuse to treat trans patients.
LGBTQ+ people generally face strong cultural resistance. Recent gay drama Love in the Big City has been targeted by conservatives, reflecting the complexities of queer representation in the country. In this context, the choice to highlight a trans character in a series as prominent as Squid Game represents a bold but potentially risky bet.
In 2011, the former human rights director of a Korean LGBT organization said that “among all sexual minorities, transgender people are the lowest class.” It’s been 13 years since Lim Tae Hoon made that oft-quoted statement, but unfortunately, those words still carry a lot of weight.
He is already a popular character
For some, the introduction of Hyun-joo is a step forward, despite the casting debate. The fans welcome him with open arms.
“The second season of Squid Game disappointed me for many reasons, but this queen is not one of them. I love Hyun-joo’s supremacy“
““You’re beautiful too, Uni” (Korean nickname for “big sister”, editor’s note) This is my favorite team…I’ve enjoyed Hyun-joo’s arc so far and Yong-mi and Yong-sik and his mother’s relationship and cooperation with him 😭💜🌈.”
“Hyun-ju (player 120) is definitely the best character this season.“
Squid Game Season 2 is currently available on Netflix.
Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
