The newest addition to the beloved series Squid Game, Cho Hyun-ju, known as Player 120, has quickly captured the hearts of fans in Season 2. However, her character’s foundation draws inspiration from a profoundly poignant true story.
Portrayed by the talented Park Sung-hoon, Hyun-ju is one of 456 individuals entering the high-stakes game, her motivations diverging from the significant debt typical of many contestants. Instead, as a transgender woman, her objective is to secure funds for gender-affirming surgery and to seek refuge in Thailand after being disowned by her family.
Throughout the season, she forms alliances with Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) and others, emerging as a steadfast and brave participant. Her experiences prompt significant dialogues around themes of acceptance and empathy among viewers.
Hyun-ju’s background as a sergeant first class in the ROK Special Forces plays a crucial role, especially highlighted in the intense Season 2 finale. This facet of her character not only enriches her narrative but also hints that she is fashioned after a real individual. Note: some audiences may find elements of this story distressing.
Unveiling the Inspiration: The Story of Byun Hui-su
While series creator Hwang Dong-hyuk has yet to confirm it, the character of Cho Hyun-ju seems to draw inspiration from Byun Hui-su, the first publicly recognized transgender soldier in South Korea.
Byun Hui-su underwent gender reassignment surgery in Thailand in 2019 due to her struggles with gender dysphoria. Despite her battle to retain the rank of staff sergeant and rejoin the military within the female corps, she faced discharge in January 2020.
This incident ignited a broader discussion on LGBTQ+ rights and the limited protections available to the community in South Korea.
After her dismissal, Hui-su stated in a Seoul press conference (via Reuters): “I will continue to fight until the day I can remain to serve in the army. I’ll challenge the decision until the end, to the Supreme Court.”
In an emotional reflection on her transition, she shared, “It was an extremely difficult decision to let my base know of my identity, but once I did, I felt much better. I thought I would finish serving in the army and then go through the transition surgery and then reenter the army as a female soldier. But my depression got too severe.”
“Apart from my gender identity, I want to show everyone that I can also be one of the great soldiers who protect this country.”
South Korea’s first openly transgender soldier was found dead in her home. Her cause of death is unknown. Byun Hui-su was 23. She was dismissed after her gender-affirming surgery because South Korea bans trans people from the military. She had been fighting to be reinstated. pic.twitter.com/rWXuwVmPvX
— AJ+ (@ajplus) March 3, 2021
Tragically, Hui-su was found deceased in her residence in March 2021 at the age of 22, with reports indicating her death as a suicide according to The Korea Times.
Seven months posthumously, a South Korean court determined that the military had unlawfully discriminated against her, ordering a reversal of her dismissal and recognition of her legal status as a woman.
Following this, a panel in April 2024 declared that she had died while in the line of duty, granting her the honor of being buried in a national cemetery.
Viewer Insights: Echoes of Cho Hyun-ju in Real Life
Many viewers have drawn noteworthy comparisons between the experiences of Byun Hui-su and Cho Hyun-ju’s narrative in Squid Game Season 2. Like Hui-su, Player 120’s storyline involves being discharged from military service after her gender identity is revealed.
One Reddit user articulated their reaction, saying, “I noticed a lot of interest in Hyun-ju, who was a fantastic character addition to the series. While learning about her background, I couldn’t help but think of an individual called Byun Hui-su.”
They remarked, “While Hyun-ju’s character may not have been intentionally created with this in mind, the overlapping stories feel too significant to be coincidental.”
Another viewer highlighted the challenges faced in casting, revealing that Dong-hyuk struggled to find a trans actress in South Korea, attributing this to prevailing societal attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community. “The creator mentioned the difficulty of finding a trans Korean actress who was openly out for this role,” the viewer noted.
Reflecting on the implications, another viewer remarked, “There was a highly publicized incident a few years ago where Byun Hui-su, the first transgender soldier, faced repeated discharges despite her commitment to serve her country.”
“This is significant considering that while others typically avoid conscription, she went above and beyond to join the military,” they added.
Available for streaming on Netflix, Squid Game Season 2 continues to resonate with audiences not only for its thrilling narrative but also for the relentless discussions it sparks surrounding important social issues.
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