Actor Park Sung Hoon, known for his sensitive portrayal of Hyun Joo—a transgender woman—in Netflix’s Squid Game 3, recently opened up about the responsibility he felt in representing transgender characters with respect and depth.
In an interview with InStyle, Park candidly acknowledged the problematic history of transgender depictions in Korean media, which have often been shallow or caricatured, lacking the nuance and empathy such roles deserve.
Determined to break away from past stereotypes, Park made a conscious effort to avoid exaggerated mannerisms or vocal inflections that could trivialize Hyun Joo’s character.
Instead, he focused on portraying her inner sincerity, humanity, and genuine interactions with others.
This thoughtful approach garnered widespread praise as audiences connected deeply with Hyun Joo’s well-rounded character, a significant step forward from the limited portrayals often seen on screen.
In a previous interview with Today News, Park also expressed heartfelt gratitude toward the transgender community for accepting his performance despite him being a cisgender male actor.
His portrayal marks an important moment of progress in Korean media, showing that with dedication and respect, complex and authentic transgender characters can be brought to life effectively.
This success is especially notable considering the initial backlash the character faced, underscoring how far conversations about representation are evolving in the industry.
