Park Sung-hoon will portray a transgender character in “Squid Game” season two. | Image: Instagram/@boxabum

The upcoming second season of South Korean hit series “Squid Game” will see Park Sung-hoon step into the role of a transgender.

Sung-hoon, who’s known for his role in “The Glory,” gave a glimpse of his character Hyun-ju, or Player 120, in the recent promotional video that Netflix released, as he emphasized that his role is inspiring as it “breaks down stereotypes.”

“Hyun-ju is a former special forces soldier and a transgender woman. She joins the game because she’s short on money for her gender-affirming surgery. Even though she faces prejudice and tough situations, she shows incredible strength, decisiveness, and natural leadership,” he stated.

In the video, Sung-hoon is seen wearing a black wig to fit into the bill of the character. This will mark the first time the Korean actor will portray a transgender character.

After making his acting debut in 2008 in the film “A Frozen Flower,” Sung-hoon’s roles in “Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum,” “My Only One” and “Queen of Tears” earned him a household name.

The 39-year-old actor’s supporting roles in “Three Days,” “Six Flying Dragons” and “Don’t Dare to Dream” also gave credibitity to his acting resume.

Meanwhile, after Netflix released the “Meet the Cast” video, netizens took to social media to express their divided reactions to Sung-hoon’s being cast for the character.

Some netizens stressed that the streaming platform should have hired another actor who identifies as transgender in real life.

“This is not how you give representation… a cis man pretending to be part of a minority group just doesn’t sit right with me, especially when they could’ve hired an actual trans actress,” weighed in one netizen.

“It would’ve been nice to give the role to a transgender actress, a friendly reminder that this isn’t the “diversity win” that you think it is—this man is still a raging misogynist,” pitched in another X user.

Image: X

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