Player 120, also known as Cho Hyun-ju - Details Age,Bio,Real Name

Character Overview

Player #120, Image By Netflix

Cho Hyun-ju, sometimes referred to by the name of Player 120, is a notable new character who was revealed during the second season famous Netflix show "Squid Game Season 2" set to air on the 26th of December 2024.

The character is described as transgender and former Special Forces soldier, who joins the Squid Game to earn funds for the gender-correcting surgery she has undergone and also to make her way into a society that is more welcoming in Thailand.

Player #120, Image By Netflix

Category	Information
Character Details
Character Name	Hyun-ju
Age	February 18, 1985 (age 39
Gender	Transgender
Background	Former soldier
Motivation	Entering Squid Game to win money for gender-affirming surgery
Actor Details
Actor's Name	Park Sung-hoon
Actor's Gender	Cisgender male
Character Traits
Personality	Nuanced and sympathetic figure
Skills	Leads her team in various challenges
Portrayal	Showcases both strength and vulnerability
Additional Information
Season	Squid Game Season 2
Casting Decision	Chosen due to scarcity of openly transgender actors in South Korea
Character Reception	Well-received by audiences, praised for depth and complexity
Social Impact	Sparked discussions about representation and challenges faced by transgender individuals in South Korea
Director's Intent	Included to raise awareness about marginalized groups in South Korea.

 

Role in the Plot

Hyun-ju's character plays a central role in the story of Season 2, The actress forms alliances with various characters, such as the main character Seong Gi-hun. She also plays important roles in the revolt to the security forces. The military experience she has is used to great effect in the storyline especially in the finale of the season, in which she displays leadership and battle capabilities. Hyun-ju's role is that of an intelligent and strategic character that supports Gi-hun's goal to stop the harrowing game completely and forever.

Player #120, Image By Netflix

Portrayal and Casting

Cho Hyun-ju's role is played in the film by South Korean actor Park Sung-hoon the cisgender male who is famous for his performances in dramas that are popular, such as "The Glory" and "Queen of Tears". The choice of actor has caused debate and criticism over the casting of a cisgender male actor in an transgender character.

The director of "Squid Game," Hwang Dong-hyuk, said that it was difficult to locate an actress who was transgender for the part within South Korea, which led to the selection for Park Sung-hoon. In spite of the debate park Sung-hoon's portrayal of Cho Hyun-ju was widely applauded. The actor has received acclaim for his enthralling portrayal, receiving praise from all over the world.

Character Background and Motivation

Hyun-ju's story is crucial to her character's development as well as the larger themes of the show. Her past was as a sergeant 1st class of the ROK Special Forces unit who lost her friends and job because of her gender changing gender. The background of her adds depth to her personality and highlights the challenges societally faced by transgender people who live in South Korea. Her main motivation to participate in the games of death is the chance to earn funds for the gender-positive surgery she has had as well as to move to Thailand in hopes to establish a more tolerant society. The motivation for her is directly tied to the theme of survival, despair, and social marginalization.

Player #120, Image By Netflix

Significance and Impact

Cho Hyun-ju's appearance as a character in the show was deliberate by the creator Hwang Doh-hyuk to tackle the issues and underrepresentation that gender minorities face in Korean society. The character's goal is to bring awareness to the struggles and discrimination faced by transgender people, especially within a society that is conservative such as South Korea. Hyun-ju's character was influenced by actual events, including the tale of Byun Hui-su who was the first transgender soldier known to South Korea. The connection provides a sense that is authentic and urgent to Hyun-ju's story that reflects current social concerns concerning LGBTQ+ rights in South Korea. The character is well-loved by the public, and praised for her emotional depth as well as a compelling plot.