Netflix’s Squid Game is back with season 2, and the standout character this time is definitely Cho Hyun Joo.
Played by Park Sung Hoon, Cho Hyun Joo has a unique background as a transgender former special forces soldier. She enters the deadly game to raise money for gender-affirming surgery. With her experience as a sergeant in the special forces, she handles life-or-death situations in the game with impressive composure. Her fight to hold onto her dignity while pursuing her dreams and identity in such tough circumstances has made a huge impact on viewers. The show goes beyond just one character’s story, using Cho Hyun Joo’s journey to highlight the struggles faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in today’s society.
Viewers in Korea have praised both the originality of Cho Hyun Joo’s character and Park Sung Hoon’s powerful performance. On social media, people are saying things like “Cho Hyun Joo is more than just a game participant, she’s the heart of season 2” and “Park Sung Hoon’s acting is incredible; he truly brought the character to life.” Park Sung Hoon’s intense gunfight scenes have also earned praise for showcasing the charisma of a skilled former special forces agent.
Cho Hyun Joo is also getting a lot of attention internationally. Foreign media outlets have called her the most fascinating and complex character of season 2. They’ve praised Park Sung Hoon’s performance, noting that he made Cho Hyun Joo more than just a transgender character—he made her deeply emotional and relatable. Some even say Cho Hyun Joo represents a new generation of TV characters. While the portrayal of an LGBTQ+ character could have fallen into clichés, Park Sung Hoon’s sincere performance breaks through those expectations.
On social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, Cho Hyun Joo is being hailed as the best character of Squid Game season 2, with many people saying her storyline was the emotional core of the season.
Squid Game season 2, building on the success of its predecessor, attracted a lot of buzz even before it was released. However, reactions have been mixed. Some reviews have praised the season for keeping the tension of the first while introducing fresh characters and storylines. On the flip side, some critics feel the tension isn’t as strong as in season 1 and that certain scenes dragged on a bit. A few have pointed out that while Cho Hyun Joo is a strong character, the overall story structure could have been tighter.
Still, Squid Game season 2 continues to captivate audiences worldwide, proving the show’s successful expansion.
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