Who is player 120 in Squid Game 2? Fans hail Park Sung-hoon’s “Diva” persona

Squid Game season 2, released on December 26 on Netflix, continues to explore themes of survival and morality through a new set of deadly games. Directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk, the season features Gi-hun returning to play the game and save the new players.

Developed by Korean writer and producer Hwang Dong-hyuk, the season features an ensemble cast, including Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon, Lee Byung-hun, Im Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Lee Jin-wook, Park Sung-hoon, Yang Dong-geun, Jo Yu-ri, Kang Ae-shim, Lee Seo-hwan, and more.

Season 2 introduces new characters, including Hyun-ju, also known as Player 120, a transgender woman played by Park Sung-hoon. Her story provides a peek into the struggles of a transgender woman,

Director Hwang Dong-hyuk shared with InStyle that transgender characters are rare in Korean media and expressed confidence that Hyun-ju will be embraced and supported by fans globally. This wish seems to be coming true as fans have showered their love on this character, who is righteous and supports her fellow players in the face of danger.

After watching Hyun-ju in Squid Game, fans took to social media to praise the character.

"THIS SCENE!!!!! MY DIVA!!!!! I LOVE HER!!!!! I'm so proud of you Hyunju." said one fan.

Fans praised the show's new season and newly introduced character.

"QUEEN. DIVA. THE BEST CHARACTER THIS SEASON." said another.

"In this house, we stan player 120" commented another fan.

"i think she was the character with the most profound backstory this season, i really like her" responded another fan.

Fans have found their favorite character.

"Moreover how bravely she fought at last episode. Sunghoon did a good job in squid game 2. And I am relieved that his character isn't dead till now. I wish his character doesn't dies in S3." said another fan.

"My favorite character from S2 of #SquidGame2 She gave it her all from start to finish in the rounds of each game; Her story moved me and she survived because grandma stopped her." reacted another.

---

Who is player 120 in Squid Game?

In Squid Game, Hyun-ju enters the game with the hope of winning money to fund her gender-affirming surgery. After losing her job as a Special Forces soldier due to coming out and receiving no support from her family, Hyun-ju dreams of starting anew in Thailand. She makes her first appearance in season 2, episode 3.

The role of Hyun-ju is portrayed by Park Sung-hoon. Although Hyun-ju is a transgender woman, she is played by a cisgender man, sparking debates about the casting choice. The announcement of Park Sung-hoon’s role in Squid Game season 2, made weeks before its release, drew criticism over the lack of transgender representation in casting.

Park Sung-hoon is no stranger to Netflix originals. He gained recognition for playing Jeon Jae-joon, a bully in the revenge drama The Glory. He also starred as Yoon Eun-sung (David Yoon), an ambitious character plotting to seize control of the Queens Group empire, in the hit 2024 K-drama Queen of Tears.

---

All seven episodes of Squid Game season 2 are available to stream on Netflix.