In a recent interview held on the 8th at a café in Jongno-gu, Seoul, actor Park Sung Hoon, who plays the role of Hyun-joo, a transgender special forces soldier in the Netflix drama Squid Game 2, shared insights into his approach to the character.

"I wanted to avoid exaggerated gestures or overly dramatic vocal variations," he said. "I focused on understanding Hyun-joo's life experiences, the disadvantages she’s faced, and how she carries herself in the game."

Sung Hoon explained that while he wanted to portray Hyun-joo's strength and decisiveness, he also sought to reveal a sense of anxiety beneath the surface. "I didn’t want to just show her as strong and unyielding. I thought that by showing her leadership while also revealing her concerns, it would add depth to the character," he continued.

Sung Hoon, who gained recognition for his role as the school bully Jeon Jae-joon in The Glory, has captivated global audiences with his unexpected portrayal of Hyun-joo in Squid Game 2.

In Squid Game 2, Hyun-joo (played by Park Sung Hoon) stands out by transcending typical portrayals of transgender individuals in drama. Rather than focusing solely on feminine traits like appearance and speech, the role integrates inner strength and the combat skills of a former special forces soldier.

The character’s appearance was carefully crafted in collaboration with the production team. Sung Hoon shared, "Director Hwang Dong-hyuk and the costume and makeup team worked together to experiment with different looks, like short or long hair. We also tried different nail polish colors." He continued, "When I first saw myself, I thought I looked a lot like my sister. She didn’t know I was taking on this role, but after watching the show, she complimented me and showed her support."

For his vocal performance, Sung Hoon adjusted his tone and manner depending on the situation. "I kept the pitch higher than my usual tone since I naturally have a deep voice," he explained. "When the character was in life-threatening situations, my voice naturally became more masculine. I felt that the emotion needed to match the moment. I discussed each scene closely with the director."

Hyun-joo's character in Squid Game 2 was inspired by the late Sergeant Byeon Hee-soo, who became the first transgender soldier to come out in the military before tragically passing away. Sung Hoon reflected on this influence, saying, "When I decided to join the project, Director Hwang told me he had written the character with Sergeant Byeon Hee-soo in mind. But I didn’t try to mimic her. I focused on the disadvantages Hyun-joo has faced in her life and built the character from there."

Despite controversies surrounding a social media post in which he accidentally shared adult film pictures, Sung Hoon’s career has flourished with Squid Game 2, expanding his acting range and increasing his public favorability. Fans now affectionately refer to him as "Hyun-joo Unni," a testament to his growing popularity.

Sung Hoon reflected on his previous role as Jeon Jae-joon in The Glory, saying, "For me, Jeon Jae-joon was a gift of a character, so I don’t have any desire to escape from it. It’s fun that people remember him more than they remember my name. As I continue to cherish each role, I think Jae-joon will eventually fade away. I’ve also seen a lot of comments calling me 'Hyun-joo Unni.' Both characters are precious to me."