‘Squid Game’ Season 2 Faces Backlash Over Casting Cisgender Actor as Transgender Character

Netflix's decision to cast a cisgender male actor as a transgender woman in the highly anticipated season has reignited debates over representation in media.

Actor Park Sung-hoon, a cisgender man, will portray Hyun-ju, a transgender woman competing for gender-affirming surgery, in 'Squid Game' Season 2.
The casting decision has drawn criticism from viewers and advocates who argue that transgender roles should be played by transgender actors to ensure authentic representation.
Supporters of the casting choice highlight the challenges of finding transgender actors in South Korea's less progressive entertainment industry but acknowledge the broader issue of representation.
This controversy follows a broader trend of cisgender actors being cast in transgender roles, which has been criticized for perpetuating harmful stereotypes and limiting opportunities for trans performers.
Season 2 of the globally popular series is set to premiere on December 26, continuing the story of Gi-hun as he seeks to dismantle the deadly games.