"I got on my knees and apologized"— Park Sung-hoon reflects on his slapping scene with Chae Gook-hee in Squid Game 2

On January 8, 2025, Netflix released an exclusive interview with Park Sung-hoon where he revealed that the slap from Squid Game 2 episode 4 was not simulated. Initially, under the impression that a staged slap would suffice, the director, Hwang Dong-hyuk, instructed Park Sung-hoon on the day of filming to actually slap co-star Chae Gook-hee for the scene's authenticity.

Despite his reservations, he complied, resulting in multiple takes to capture the perfect shot. Park Sug-hoon expressed his remorse, stating that he got on his knees to apologize to Chae Gook-hee for slapping her after the scene was filmed.

"Actually, the day we filmed that scene, I was under the impression that I wasn’t going to really hit her. But on the spot, the director asked me to really hit her once. I felt horrible doing it, but to make matters worse, the director didn’t approve the first take. So, I remember having to hit her two or three times. Afterward, I got on my knees and apologized," he said.

In the second season of Netflix's Squid Game, actor Park Sung-hoon delivered a standout performance as Cho Hyun-ju, a transgender woman who entered the deadly competition to secure funds for her gender-affirming surgery and a fresh start abroad.

One particularly intense scene involved Hyun-ju slapping fellow contestant Seon-nyeo, portrayed by actress Chae Gook-hee— a moment that garnered significant attention for its raw intensity.

During the Six-Legged Pentathlon game, Seon-nyeo, a shamanistic character, succumbed to panic, proclaiming that the gods had abandoned them, thereby jeopardizing the team's morale and chances of survival. In a decisive act to restore focus, Hyun-ju forcefully slapped Seon-nyeo, accompanied by a stern warning:

"If you give up, I will kill you before your gods do."

This moment not only underscored Hyun-ju's resilience but also highlighted her leadership under pressure.

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Park Sung-hoon's character Hyun-ju's journey in Squid Game 2 explored

Hyun-ju's character arc was both compelling and heartrending. A former Special Forces soldier, she faced societal ostracization in South Korea due to her gender identity. Determined to complete her transition and start anew, she joined the games, viewing the prize money as her only means to achieve these goals.

Throughout the season, Hyun-ju's military background became evident as she navigated the brutal challenges with strategic acumen and physical prowess. Her unwavering determination to survive was driven by the hope of funding her surgery and escaping to a more accepting environment.

Squid Game 2 continued to explore the dark underbelly of the deadly games, with Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) returning to overthrow the organization from within. The introduction of new characters like Yim Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Lee Jin-wook, Jo Yuri, and more, each with unique backstories and motivations, added depth to the narrative.

The games themselves were more perilous, designed to test the physical and psychological limits of the participants.

A significant subplot involved the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun) infiltrating the games as a player to thwart Gi-hun's plans. This twist added layers of intrigue and deception, culminating in a climactic confrontation that left viewers questioning the true nature of power and control within the game's hierarchy.

As Squid Game 2 progressed, Hyun-ju's resilience was tested through a series of horrific challenges, each resulting in over 90 players getting shot by the pink soldiers. Meanwhile, Hyun-ju's strategic mind and combat skills enabled her to advance through the game rounds, forming alliances and making sacrifices along the way.

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Park Sung-hoon's portrayal of Hyun-ju in Squid Game 2 offered a nuanced depiction of a transgender individual's struggle for acceptance and autonomy.

Viewers can stream Squid Game 2 on Netflix.