Park Sung-hoon has garnered international acclaim for his portrayal of Cho Hyun-ju, also known as Player 120, in Squid Game Season 2. However, the actor recently found himself in hot water after inadvertently sharing explicit content online.
Since the launch of the second season on Netflix, new characters have been quickly categorized by fans, including the most annoying (Seon-nyeo, the shaman), divisive (Thanos), and the beloved. Hyun-ju stands out as a favorite among viewers, not only for her courageous representation as a trans woman but also for her pivotal role in assisting Seong Gi-hun’s efforts against the tragic circumstances of the Squid Game.
This week, news broke of the controversy surrounding Sung-hoon. Let’s delve deeper into the situation.
Controversy Erupts Over Park Sung-hoon’s Explicit Post
Sung-hoon faced backlash after he shared a post on Instagram displaying the DVD cover art of a Japanese adult film parody titled Squirt Game, which parodies the popular Netflix series. Although he promptly deleted the post, the criticism escalated in South Korea, where distribution of pornography is prohibited and can lead to severe legal repercussions.
As reported by the Korea JoongAng Daily, the backlash intensified because the country had just entered a mourning period following the tragic Jeju Air plane crash on December 29.
Some fans have even urged for the removal of Sung-hoon from the cast of the upcoming K-drama, The Tyrant’s Chef, where he was set to star alongside popular actress YoonA.
Please remove Park Sunghoon and change the male lead of “Surviving as the tyrant’s chef” . There is no acceptable excuse when it comes to pornography. I don’t want him to work with YoonA, it’s scary. 🙏🙏🙏 @CJnDrama @studiodragonKR
— abcdqueen24 (@abcdqueen24) December 30, 2024
In response to the situation, Sung-hoon issued an apology through his management agency, BH Entertainment. He explained that the explicit image was sent to him via direct messages and that he mistakenly shared it due to a button error.
The agency confirmed, stating, “Actor Park accidentally posted the image without realizing it was inappropriate after receiving it in a DM. He was equally shocked by the incident.” They added, “He sincerely apologizes for this error and pledges to exercise greater caution in the future.”
Fan Support for Player 120 Persists Amidst the Backlash
Despite the recent controversy, Sung-hoon retains a strong fan following, particularly for his performance as Hyun-ju in Squid Game Season 2. Fans have taken to platforms like Reddit to express their admiration for his character.
A notable fan remarked, “120 is the season’s MVP without a doubt. One of the most formidable characters I’ve encountered in a while. I’m more invested in her story than Gi-Hun’s now… GOATED for sure.” Another user expressed, “She was a joy to watch throughout the season, especially in the crucial final episodes.”
A standout scene that captivated fans involves Hyun-ju in the intense Six-Legged Pentathlon, where her quick actions prevented a disastrous outcome for her team.
Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk previously discussed the casting choice of Sung-hoon during interviews, explaining the challenges of casting openly trans actors in Korea due to societal stigmas. He expressed his trust in Sung-hoon’s talent, feeling he could authentically portray the character.
As the conversation surrounding the implications of representation continues, Squid Game Season 2 is currently available for streaming on Netflix. Fans can also look forward to predictions for Season 3, discussions on ranking challenges, and excitement surrounding upcoming 2025 shows.
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