Hwang Dong-hyuk addresses the criticism of casting Park Sung-hoon as Hyun-ju, a transgender woman, in Netflix’s hit Korean series.
Squid Game creator Hwang Dong-hyuk has broken his silence following backlash over the casting of cisgender actor Park Sung-hoon as Hyun-ju, a transgender character introduced in seasons 2 and 3 of the Netflix global phenomenon. In a new interview withEntertainment Weekly, the Emmy-winning writer-director explained the cultural and logistical factors behind the decision — and shared his commitment to more inclusive casting going forward.
🎭 Why Was a Cisgender Actor Cast as a Trans Character?
Hyun-ju, a powerful and complex character who enters the deadly game to fund her gender-affirming surgery, quickly became a fan favorite. However, many Western viewers expressed disappointment that the role wasn’t played by a transgender actress.
Hwang responded by acknowledging the concerns — particularly from U.S. audiences — but explained that authentic casting in Korea remains extremely difficult due to social stigma and lack of openly LGBTQ+ actors.
“In Korea, there are really not many transgender people who have come out and are actors,” Hwang said. “It was, realistically speaking, nearly impossible to cast a transgender actress for this role.”
He added that while Eastern audiences were generally supportive, he was surprised by the reaction in the West — and took time to learn from it.
🌍 Cultural Context and Western Backlash
Hwang noted that Eastern cultures like Korea, Japan, and China are still grappling with public acceptance of LGBTQ+ identities, especially within the entertainment industry. That reality limited casting options at the time of production.
Still, the showrunner emphasized that this experience has opened his eyes to the importance of representation:
“Going forward, I will try my best to do authentic casting — not just for transgender people, but for other sexual minorities as well.”
🗣️ A Trans YouTuber Changed His Perspective
Hwang shared that he came across a YouTube video from a transgender content creator who was initially critical of the casting but ultimately moved by Park Sung-hoon’s performance. The YouTuber said she was brought to tears by the portrayal and came to appreciate the character’s depth and humanity.
“That gave me hope that my intention was understood, even if the casting choice was controversial,” Hwang said.
In a separate interview with PEOPLE, Park expressed gratitude for the support he received from the LGBTQ+ community after the season premiered.
“I knew there were worries, but I was overwhelmed by the love and support,” Park said. “Hyun-ju is brave, selfless, and a leader. I learned so much from her as a person.”
🔜 What’s Next for Hyun-ju?
Squid Game season 2 ended in chaos, with several characters perishing in a brutal rebellion. But Hyun-ju survived — and fans are eager to see her fate in the highly anticipated final season.
Catch the third and final season of Squid Game when it premieres June 27 on Netflix.
