Cho Hyun-ju

==Concept and creation==

==Concept and creation==

[[file:Park Sunghoon 박성훈 (actor) 12.png|thumb|[[Park Sung-hoon]] portrayed Hyun-ju. He worked with trans people in order to portray the character accurately.]]

[[file:Park Sunghoon 박성훈 (actor) 12.png|thumb|[[Park Sung-hoon]] portrayed Hyun-ju. He worked with trans people in order to portray the character accurately.]]

Cho Hyun-ju was created by ''[[Squid Game]]'' creator [[Hwang Dong-hyuk]], who compared her in purpose to the character [[Ali Abdul]] from [[Squid Game season 1|the first season of ''Squid Game'']]. Where he included Ali to represent people in [[South Korea]] who are marginalized in non-financial ways, he wanted to include a [[transgender]] character to do the same in [[Squid Game season 2|season 2]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://decider.com/2024/12/27/squid-game-creator-interview-player-120-hyun-ju-park-sung-soon/ |title='Squid Game' Creator Explains Why He Added a Transgender Player to Season 2: "In Korea It Is Not As Widely Accepted Yet" |work=[[Decider (website)|Decider]] |last=O'Keefe |first=Meghan |date=December 27, 2024 |accessdate=January 13, 2025}}</ref> He hoped that, through her choices, actions, and the way she "carries herself in the game," it would raise awareness of issues surrounding trans people in South Korea.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/12/30/squid-game-cho-hyun-ju/ |title=Squid Game creator explains why he felt it was important to feature a trans character in season two |work=[[Pink News]] |last=Hansford |first=Amelia |date=December 30, 2024 |accessdate=January 14, 2025}}</ref> Hwang was aiming to cast a trans actor in the role, but found that there was "close to no actors that are openly trans" due to the marginalization of [[LGBTQ+]] people in South Korean society, expressing upset with this.<ref name="tvguide"/> Hwang believed Hyun-ju would be the "most beloved" character of the season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/meet-cast-squid-game-144500838.html |title=The 'Squid Game' Season 2 Cast Is Full of Korean Megastars |work=[[Yahoo!|Yahoo! Entertainment]] |last1=Gonzales |first1=Erica |last2=Sirikul |first2=Laura |date=December 26, 2024 |accessdate=January 14, 2025}}</ref>

Cho Hyun-ju was created by ''[[Squid Game]]'' creator [[Hwang Dong-hyuk]], who compared her in purpose to the character [[Ali Abdul]] from [[Squid Game season 1|the first season of ''Squid Game'']]. Where he included Ali to represent people in [[South Korea]] who are marginalized in non-financial ways, he wanted to include a [[transgender]] character to do the same in [[Squid Game season 2|season 2]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://decider.com/2024/12/27/squid-game-creator-interview-player-120-hyun-ju-park-sung-soon/ |title='Squid Game' Creator Explains Why He Added a Transgender Player to Season 2: "In Korea It Is Not As Widely Accepted Yet" |work=[[Decider (website)|Decider]] |last=O'Keefe |first=Meghan |date=December 27, 2024 |accessdate=January 13, 2025}}</ref> He hoped that, through her choices, actions, and the way she "carries herself in the game," it would raise awareness of issues surrounding trans people in South Korea.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/12/30/squid-game-cho-hyun-ju/ |title=Squid Game creator explains why he felt it was important to feature a trans character in season two |work=[[Pink News]] |last=Hansford |first=Amelia |date=December 30, 2024 |accessdate=January 14, 2025}}</ref> Hwang was aiming to cast a trans actor in the role, but found that there was "close to no actors that are openly trans" due to the marginalization of [[LGBTQ+]] people in South Korean society, expressing displeasure with this.<ref name="tvguide"/> Hwang believed Hyun-ju would be the "most beloved" character of the season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/meet-cast-squid-game-144500838.html |title=The 'Squid Game' Season 2 Cast Is Full of Korean Megastars |work=[[Yahoo!|Yahoo! Entertainment]] |last1=Gonzales |first1=Erica |last2=Sirikul |first2=Laura |date=December 26, 2024 |accessdate=January 14, 2025}}</ref>

Hwang ultimately decided to cast actor [[Park Sung-hoon]], a [[cisgender|cisgender man]].<ref name="tvguide">{{cite web |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/squid-game-director-trans-season-2-character-casting/ |title=Squid Game Director Says It Was 'Near Impossible' to Cast a Trans Woman as Season 2 Character |work=[[TV Guide]] |last=Moon |first=Kat |date=December 17, 2024 |accessdate=January 13, 2025}}</ref> Park believed that he was cast because of a "feminine side" that he developed through growing up with sisters, as well as his performance in the 2021 film ''[[Hee-soo]]''. He stated that he approached his performance with "more detail and caution," consulting with trans people to make sure Hyun-ju was not caricaturized. Park avoided exaggerating gestures such as his voice, feeling that altering his naturally deep speaking tone would "undermine the emotional authenticity." The character's short bangs were chosen by Park according to him.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2025/01/09/squid-game-star-park-sung-hoon-didnt-want-trans-character-to-be-a-caricature/ |title=Squid Game star Park Sung-hoon didn't want trans character to be a 'caricature' |work=[[Pink News]] |last=Billson |first=Chantelle |date=January 9, 2025 |accessdate=January 13, 2025}}</ref> Describing the character, Park said that Hyun-ju shows "incredible strength, decisiveness, and natural leadership" despite the prejudices she faces, calling her "inspiring" and a character who "breaks down stereotypes."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/squid-game-season-2-trans-actor-park-sung-hoon-b2661181.html |title=Squid Game season 2 faces scrutiny over casting choice for trans character |work=[[The Independent]] |last=Parkel |first=Inga |date=December 9, 2024 |accessdate=January 14, 2025}}</ref> While discussing the fight choreography for Hyun-ju, stunt coordinator Park Young-sick explained that, unlike many other characters' fighting which has a "raw survival-action feel," Hyun-ju needed a more "professional feel," taking her "background, profession, and physical [ability] into account."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/over-400-stunt-performers-made-150000321.html |title=Over 400 Stunt Performers Made 'Squid Game' Season 2 Even Deadlier |work=[[Yahoo!|Yahoo! Entertainment]] |last=Shachat |first=Sarah |date=December 29, 2024 |accessdate=January 14, 2025}}</ref>

Hwang ultimately decided to cast actor [[Park Sung-hoon]], a [[cisgender|cisgender man]].<ref name="tvguide">{{cite web |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/squid-game-director-trans-season-2-character-casting/ |title=Squid Game Director Says It Was 'Near Impossible' to Cast a Trans Woman as Season 2 Character |work=[[TV Guide]] |last=Moon |first=Kat |date=December 17, 2024 |accessdate=January 13, 2025}}</ref> Park believed that he was cast because of a "feminine side" that he developed through growing up with sisters, as well as his performance in the 2021 film ''[[Hee-soo]]''. He stated that he approached his performance with "more detail and caution," consulting with trans people to make sure Hyun-ju was not caricaturized. Park avoided exaggerating gestures such as his voice, feeling that altering his naturally deep speaking tone would "undermine the emotional authenticity." The character's short bangs were chosen by Park according to him.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2025/01/09/squid-game-star-park-sung-hoon-didnt-want-trans-character-to-be-a-caricature/ |title=Squid Game star Park Sung-hoon didn't want trans character to be a 'caricature' |work=[[Pink News]] |last=Billson |first=Chantelle |date=January 9, 2025 |accessdate=January 13, 2025}}</ref> Describing the character, Park said that Hyun-ju shows "incredible strength, decisiveness, and natural leadership" despite the prejudices she faces, calling her "inspiring" and a character who "breaks down stereotypes."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/squid-game-season-2-trans-actor-park-sung-hoon-b2661181.html |title=Squid Game season 2 faces scrutiny over casting choice for trans character |work=[[The Independent]] |last=Parkel |first=Inga |date=December 9, 2024 |accessdate=January 14, 2025}}</ref> While discussing the fight choreography for Hyun-ju, stunt coordinator Park Young-sick explained that, unlike many other characters' fighting which has a "raw survival-action feel," Hyun-ju needed a more "professional feel," taking her "background, profession, and physical [ability] into account."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/over-400-stunt-performers-made-150000321.html |title=Over 400 Stunt Performers Made 'Squid Game' Season 2 Even Deadlier |work=[[Yahoo!|Yahoo! Entertainment]] |last=Shachat |first=Sarah |date=December 29, 2024 |accessdate=January 14, 2025}}</ref>