The second season of Squid Game is finally here and millions of people around the world are looking forward to watching the sequel. There will be new levels of intensity, deadly games, and faces, and among them is Park Sung Hoon, who is cast as player 120.
Park Sung Hoon’s journey to this role is as interesting as his on-screen presence. He’s known to be versatile and has the ability to add depth to any character he plays. So, let’s look at five fascinating facts you might not have known about the Korean actor.
Park Sung Hoon has an eye for picking the right scripts
Park Sung Hoon is a brilliant actor who is praised for the kind of roles he picks. You’ll see that many artists want to get their hands on mainstream projects for fame and fortune, and although that approach is not inherently bad, Hoon’s style is a bit different.
The actor prioritizes enjoyment and uniqueness of the script over popularity, and he stated the same in an interview (via: Forbes).
Hoon’s approach has allowed him to dabble in both quirky and lesser-known dramas along with big projects, like The Glory, which led to his widespread recognition. In the movie, he portrayed Jeon Jae-Joon, a character that fans loved to hate!
Evidently, his choices are not just about acting for the sake of it, they are deeply rooted in finding characters that challenge him while providing a unique narrative. This selective process is recurring in his various roles, from a passive police officer in Not Others to a curious psychopath in The Psychopath’s Diary.
He was in a six-year-long relationship with Ryu Hyun-Kyung
His professional achievements are quite commendable, but the actor also received a lot of media attention for his dating life. In March 2017, it was announced that he was in a relationship with Ryu Hyun-Kyung, an actress whom he met during the play, Almost Main (Via Dong-A)
The duo dated for six long years but decided to call it quits in 2023, and their agencies came ahead to confirm they had broken up but remained good colleagues (via Entertain). After their split, both of them continued to focus on their individual career.
For those unfamiliar, Ryu Hyun-Kyung debuted in 1996 and is known for having a long-standing career. When Hoon’s popularity started rising after his breakout role in The Glory, his breakup was also being discussed in the tabloids. But it’s clear that despite the history they share, the two remain positive and have continued to support each other’s personal and professional endeavors.
Park Sung Hoon’s Award Recognition
Before he joined Squid Game 2‘s cast, Park Sung Hoon’s work did not go unnoticed in the industry and his commitment to the craft earned him several nominations and awards. Most notably, he received a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the 59th Baeksang Arts Awards for his role in The Glory. His portrayal of the villainous Jeon Jae-joon left an indelible mark on viewers, even though the character was intensely disliked.
His accolades span various award ceremonies, in 2023, he was nominated for the Blue Dragon Series Awards for Best Supporting Actor, and he won multiple awards for his performances in KBS dramas.
His dedication to his roles, from romantic leads to villains, has solidified his place as one of the most respected actors in Korean drama. These awards and nominations are just a glimpse of the recognition Park has received for his stellar acting.
Theatre actor who struggled to make ends meet
Long before Park Sung Hoon became a recognized face in Korea, he was a stage artist, building a career in theatre. It was his passion for acting that led him to perform, but the realities of this career hit him hard when he realized that even making ends meet was difficult. The actor recalled his early days in an interview with Ize.
Even though Hoon’s start was tough, and he was juggling multiple part-time jobs, he did not give up on his dream. But moving to films in 2008 turned out to be a game changer for Hoon. His career began to gain traction, and his days as a struggling theatre artist were long gone.
Park Sung Hoon will play a transgender woman in Squid Game 2
Park Sung Hoon is set to prove himself yet again with his groundbreaking role as Hyun-ju, a transgender woman in Squid Game 2. His character happens to be a former special forces soldier who enters the game to win enough for her gender-affirming surgery.
So undoubtedly, this role is significant for Hoon as he will have the much larger responsibility of bringing attention to the issues faced by transgender individuals.
Looking at his track record, we can rest assured that his portrayal will be powerful. So far, his journey has been one of resilience, talent, and growth. Park Sung Hoon has come quite far from his struggling days to being an integral part of one of the most anticipated shows this year.
You can watch Squid Game 2 on Netflix