Cho Hyun-ju

Cho Hyun-ju appears in the second season of Squid Game, a trans woman who formerly served as a soldier in the South Korean military as a sergeant until she was discharged for wanting to transition. She also lost family support and struggled to find employment. She was invited to join a game called Squid Game due to the financial strain, as well as her desire to move to Thailand and receive gender-affirming surgery. During the first game, she along with the other 455 players discover that losing has lethal consequences. At the end, she assists protagonist Seong Gi-hun rescue a man who had been shot. During the interim, the surviving players learn that the total reward is 45,600,000,000 won, and they would receive 100 million won per person who died split between the survivors (91,000,000,000 won). Given the choice to vote to stay or leave, she votes to stay, and the game continues by a slim majority.

Hyun-ju later befriends a woman named Kim Young-mi, who asks to join her, later adding Jang Geum-ja, her son Park Yong-sik, and a shaman named Seon-nyeo, where they have to complete a series of five games while chained side by side. Hyun-ju assists the other members with advice and emotional support. Due to her expenses related to transition and a lack of a source of income, Hyun-ju votes to remain in the game again, with the result being to continue. During the next game, Young-mi is killed, causing Hyun-Ju to become anguished. Along with Geum-ja and Yong-sik, she allies with Gi-hun's team, eventually agreeing to participate in a revolt by helping steal guns from soldiers and attempting to take over the facility. She provides support while Gi-hun goes deeper. She sends Kang Dae-ho, an ex-marine and one of Gi-hun's allies, to get more ammo, but when he doesn't return, she goes to see what's wrong. She finds Dae-ho with the ammo, but he is distressed due to the fact he lied about being a marine and is thoroughly unprepared for violence. During this, the others are killed or apprehended, and the revolt is defeated. She prepares to fight, but Geum-ja stops her.

Hyun-ju returns in the first episode of season three, eventually participating in the game Hide and Seek/Keys and Knives, where she, among others, is forced to hide and flee from another team of players attempting to kill them. She teams up with Jun-hee and Geum-ja and assists in delivering Jun-hee's baby, and in the process, defending them by killing two other players (226 and 202). After finding the exit, she goes back to get them, but is killed by Lee Myung-gi, after which she is put in a coffin after the game ends.

file:Park Sunghoon 박성훈 (actor) 12.png portrayed Hyun-ju. He worked with trans people in order to portray the character accurately.]]

Cho Hyun-ju was created by Squid Game creator Hwang Dong-hyuk, who compared her in purpose to the character Ali Abdul from the first season of Squid Game. Where he included Ali to represent people in South Korea who are marginalized in non-financial ways, he wanted to include a transgender character to do the same in season 2.{{cite web |url=https://decider.com/2024/12/27/squid-game-creator-interview-player-120-hyun-ju-park-sung-soon/ |title='Squid Game' Creator Explains Why He Added a Transgender Player to Season 2: "In Korea It Is Not As Widely Accepted Yet" |work=Decider |last=O'Keefe |first=Meghan |date=December 27, 2024 |accessdate=January 13, 2025}} He hoped that, through her choices, actions, and the way she "carries herself in the game," it would raise awareness of issues surrounding trans people in South Korea.{{cite web |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/12/30/squid-game-cho-hyun-ju/ |title=Squid Game creator explains why he felt it was important to feature a trans character in season two |work=Pink News |last=Hansford |first=Amelia |date=December 30, 2024 |accessdate=January 14, 2025}} Hwang was aiming to cast a trans actor in the role, but found that there was "close to no actors that are openly trans" due to the marginalization of LGBTQ+ people in South Korean society, expressing displeasure with this. Hwang believed Hyun-ju would be the "most beloved" character of the season.{{cite web |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/meet-cast-squid-game-144500838.html |title=The 'Squid Game' Season 2 Cast Is Full of Korean Megastars |work=Yahoo! Entertainment |last1=Gonzales |first1=Erica |last2=Sirikul |first2=Laura |date=December 26, 2024 |accessdate=January 14, 2025}}

Hwang ultimately decided to cast actor Park Sung-hoon, a cisgender man.{{cite web |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/squid-game-director-trans-season-2-character-casting/ |title=Squid Game Director Says It Was 'Near Impossible' to Cast a Trans Woman as Season 2 Character |work=TV Guide |last=Moon |first=Kat |date=December 17, 2024 |accessdate=January 13, 2025}} Park believed that he was cast because of a "feminine side" that he developed through growing up with sisters, as well as his performance in the 2021 film Hee-soo. He stated that he approached his performance with "more detail and caution," consulting with trans people to make sure Hyun-ju was not caricaturized. Park avoided exaggerating gestures such as his voice, feeling that altering his naturally deep speaking tone would "undermine the emotional authenticity." The character's short bangs were chosen by Park according to him.{{cite web |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2025/01/09/squid-game-star-park-sung-hoon-didnt-want-trans-character-to-be-a-caricature/ |title=Squid Game star Park Sung-hoon didn't want trans character to be a 'caricature' |work=Pink News |last=Billson |first=Chantelle |date=January 9, 2025 |accessdate=January 13, 2025}} Describing the character, Park said that Hyun-ju shows "incredible strength, decisiveness, and natural leadership" despite the prejudices she faces, calling her "inspiring" and a character who "breaks down stereotypes."{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/squid-game-season-2-trans-actor-park-sung-hoon-b2661181.html |title=Squid Game season 2 faces scrutiny over casting choice for trans character |work=The Independent |last=Parkel |first=Inga |date=December 9, 2024 |accessdate=January 14, 2025}} While discussing the fight choreography for Hyun-ju, stunt coordinator Park Young-sick explained that, unlike many other characters' fighting which has a "raw survival-action feel," Hyun-ju needed a more "professional feel," taking her "background, profession, and physical [ability] into account."{{cite web |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/over-400-stunt-performers-made-150000321.html |title=Over 400 Stunt Performers Made 'Squid Game' Season 2 Even Deadlier |work=Yahoo! Entertainment |last=Shachat |first=Sarah |date=December 29, 2024 |accessdate=January 14, 2025}}

Hyun-ju is voiced in the Hindi dub by genderfluid performer Sushant Divgikar,{{cite web |url=https://www.them.us/story/squid-game-voice-actor-fund-trans-doctor-sushant-divigkr |title=Indian Performer Sushant Divgikr Gave Part of Their Squid Game Paycheck to a Trans Doctor |work=Them |last=Riedel |first=Samantha |date=January 3, 2025 |accessdate=January 14, 2025}} and in the English dub by nonbinary transfeminine actor Nicky Endres.{{Cite web |title=Nicky Endres {{!}} Actress, Writer, Producer |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2351110/ |access-date=2025-07-03 |website=IMDb |language=en-US}}

The casting of a cisgender man instead of a trans woman or cisgender woman received controversy, something creator Hwang Dong-hyuk anticipated. TV Guide writer Kat Moon believed that the controversy created more conversations about LGBTQ+ representation and "moved the needle" on the subject outside of the US. Vogue writer Radhika Seth felt that, despite Hyun-ju's arc being handled sensitively and her being a powerful character, it felt "jarring" that a cisgender man was cast at a time that Hollywood is casting more carefully. Seth noted that, while this was significant for trans people in South Korea, for many, there is still more to go.{{cite web |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/squid-game-season-2-review |title=Squid Game Season 2 Is a Twisty, Blood-Soaked Riot—And One of the Best Shows of 2024 |work=Vogue |last=Seth |first=Radhika |date=December 26, 2024 |accessdate=January 13, 2025}} The Mary Sue writer Rachel Ulatowski considered it a "small sign of progress," noting that there is progress that can be made still.{{cite web |url=https://www.themarysue.com/xfinitys-new-streaming-bundle-is-perfect-for-gamers-and-binge-watchers/ |title='Could've gave it to a real trans person': 'Squid Game' season 2 is under fire for not hiring a trans actress for trans role |work=The Mary Sue |last=Ulatowski |first=Rachel |date=December 5, 2024 |accessdate=January 14, 2025}} Digital Spy writer David Opie found Hyun-ju's portrayal more compassionate than one might expect from Squid Game, citing how many characters refer to her as unnie ({{Korean|hangul=언니}}, an affectionate term for "older sister" in Korean) and one scene where a female character takes Hyun-ju to the women's bathroom with her. Opie found it "remarkable" that a South Korean show affirm Hyun-ju's gender considering the politics surrounding trans people in South Korea, comparing her positively to what he considered a negative portrayal of homosexuality in season 1 of the predatory VIP character.{{cite web |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a63304103/squid-game-season-2-gay-queer-lgbtq/ |title=Squid Game season two fixes the most problematic part of season one |work=Digital Spy |last=Opie |first=David |date=December 31, 2024 |accessdate=January 14, 2025}}

The writing and portrayal of Hyun-ju has received generally positive reception, identified as "by far the best addition" in season 2 by USA Today writer Kelly Lawler.{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2024/12/26/squid-game-season-2-review/77025337007/ |title='Squid Game 2' is still violent, but more disappointing than shocking: Review |work=USA Today |last=Lawler |first=Kelly |date=December 26, 2024 |accessdate=January 14, 2025}} Discussing Film writer James Crooks, while noting that the character is likely to "spark some unnecessary online discourse," the inclusion of Hyun-ju helped add a "heart-warming level of emotional depth" to the story.{{cite web |url=https://discussingfilm.net/2024/12/26/squid-game-season-2-review-netflix/ |title='Squid Game' Season 2 Review – A Shocking and Unpredictable, Yet Slightly Fustrating Continuation |work=Discussing Film |last=Crooks |first=James |date=December 26, 2024 |accessdate=January 14, 2025}} Upon hearing about the casting of a cis man, Inverse writer Dais Johnston found the character "regressive." They criticized the casting of cis men as problematic, stating that "trans women are women, not men in costumes, and should be portrayed as such." Johnston disputed arguments that South Korean trans actresses were not feasible to cast, citing examples such as Lee Si-yeon and Choi Hae-jun. They also responded to arguments that a post-transition actress would not be able to portray a pre-transition character accurately, arguing that because Hyun-ju is apparently saving up for bottom surgery, it wouldn't have mattered if the actress was post-transition. Johnston acknowledged that a trans actress may not want to play the role due to the role potentially leading to abuse, but cited trans women characters in the Japanese series Alice in Borderland and the South Korean series Itaewon Class, both of whom are portrayed by cisgender women. They felt this was not ideal, but was better than using a cisgender man, arguing that in casting a cisgender man, it suggests that trans women are "men in disguise," suggesting it as a caricature and expressing skepticism about how the character would be handled.{{cite web |url=https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/squid-game-season-2-transgender-character-casting |title=Squid Game Season 2's Trans Character Is Completely Regressive |work=Inverse |last=Johnston |first=Dais |date=December 5, 2024 |accessdate=January 14, 2025}} After watching the series, Johnston was "shocked" by how well Hyun-ju's story was executed, saying that her story was "handled with extreme care" and praising the show for not featuring any misgendering, deadnaming, or "tragic flashbacks."{{cite web |url=https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/squid-game-season-2-review-netflix |title=Squid Game Season 2 Falls Short of Season 1's Brilliance |work=Inverse |last=Johnston |first=Dais |date=December 26, 2024 |accessdate=January 14, 2025}}

According to My Daily writer Lee Seung-gil, despite viewers having concerns about the character before release, both the character and actor received positive reception in South Korea. Lee considered her the best character in the second season, praising Park for his understated and realistic performance.{{cite web |last=Lee |first=Seung-gil |date=January 3, 2025 |script-title=ko:스포주의! 첫 주말 지난 '오겜2', 어떤 캐릭터가 시청자를 사로잡았나 [MD픽] |url=https://mydaily.co.kr/page/view/2024123016172775779 |accessdate=January 14, 2025 |work=MyDaily |language=Korean}} Top Star News writer Hwang Seong-yong felt that Hyun-ju was a difficult character to perform, one that requires the performer to demonstrate both the strength of a soldier and "delicate inner self" of a trans person. They praised Park for managing to pull this off, saying that this proved the versatility of his acting.{{cite web |last=Hwang |first=Seong-yong |date=January 2, 2025 |script-title=ko:박성훈, '더 글로리'부터 '오징어 게임2'까지…연기파 배우의 '독보적' 스펙트럼 |url=https://www.topstarnews.net/news/articleView.html?idxno=15588254 |accessdate=January 14, 2025 |work=Top Star News |language=Korean}} The Mary Sue writer Annie Banks praised the second season for featuring a trans character, calling her story "authentic" and expressed hope that this would lead to further inclusion of trans characters in K-dramas.{{cite web |url=https://www.themarysue.com/squid-game-season-2-review-bigger-but-maybe-not-better/ |title='Squid Game' Season 2 review: Bigger, but maybe not better |work=The Mary Sue |last=Banks |first=Annie |date=December 27, 2024 |accessdate=January 14, 2025}} Gizmodo writers Germain Lussier and Cheryl Eddy identified her as one of the best parts of the second season, saying that while it would be better if she was played by a trans woman, they appreciated that her presence felt important and not merely added for diversity.{{cite web |url=https://gizmodo.com/squid-game-season-2-review-spoilers-netflix-liked-didnt-2000541907 |title=10 Things We Liked, and 3 We Didn't, About Squid Game 2 |work=Gizmodo |last1=Lussier |first1=Germain |last2=Eddy |first2=Cheryl |date=December 26, 2024 |accessdate=January 14, 2025}} Den of Geek writer Brynna Arens considered her the "MVP" of the second season, praising her for her competence, bravery, sympathizing as an American with the plight of being desperate for healthcare. Despite her praise, she felt it unfortunate that Park was cast, saying that casting a cisgender man doesn't help the "harmful stereotype" perpetuated by anti-trans groups that trans women are men. She felt that, even with this, it is important for people to understand the difference between acceptance of trans people in the US and South Korea.{{cite web |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/player-120-hyun-ju-real-mvp-squid-game-season-2/ |title=Player 120 Hyun-ju Is the Real MVP of Squid Game Season 2 |work=Den of Geek |last=Arens |first=Brynna |date=December 27, 2024 |accessdate=January 14, 2025}}

Slate writer Nadira Goffe considered Hyun-ju's death to be the hardest death for them in the third season, believing her to be captivating and a highlight of the series' latter two seasons. They commented on Hyun-ju not just being a kind character who protects the weak, but also someone who will encourage them to overcome their limitations. They felt that her death came too soon, and stated that her selflessness was what led to her death.{{cite web |url=https://slate.com/culture/2025/06/squid-game-season-3-netflix-players-hyun-ju-myung-gi-jun-hee-trans.html |title=The Most Devastating Death on the Final Season of Squid Game |work=Slate |last=Goffe |first=Nadira |date=June 27, 2025 |accessdate=June 27, 2025}}

{{reflist|2}}

{{Squid Game}}

Category:Female characters in drama television series

Category:Fictional female soldiers

Category:Fictional South Korean people

Category:Fictional transgender women

Category:Squid Game characters

Category:Television characters introduced in 2024

Category:Fictional LGBTQ characters in drama television series

Category:Fictional murdered people