Park Sung-hoon Praised as “Eternal Hero” for Transgender Role in “Squid Game 3”

Actor Park Sung-hoon is garnering international praise for his groundbreaking role in “Squid Game 3″, where he portrays Hyun-joo, a transgender character hailed by Netflix and fans alike as the “eternal hero” of the game.

On June 29, Netflix’s official account posted a gripping image of Park Sung-hoon mid-game, face bloodied during the infamous tag game of “Squid Game 3”, along with the caption, “Hyun-ju. Player 120. Forever a hero.”

Park’s character, a former special forces operative, becomes a standout contestant thanks to breathtaking action scenes and deep emotional nuance. His performance as a powerful and complex transgender woman has made waves across social media.

International fans were quick to respond with admiration, leaving comments such as, _”Our eternal queen,” “Stronger than any man in the game,” and “To me, the real winner is Hyun-joo.”

Meanwhile, previously in a Today News interview on June 21, Park Sung-hoon humbly addressed the transgender community’s support, stating, “I can’t claim to represent the transgender community. As a cisgender actor, I was deeply aware of the concerns around taking on this role. But the fact that I’ve been welcomed without prejudice, and supported by the community, means the world to me.”

Critics have called his casting a bold move, noting how it reflects the industry’s evolving approach to inclusion. His portrayal has been praised for its sincerity, power, and respect toward transgender identities.

Meanwhile, “Squid Game 3” pushes the stakes even higher as main character Gi-hoon (Lee Jung-jae) continues his journey in the deadly competition, haunted by past losses. Joined by the elusive Front Man (Lee Byung-hun), this final season dives into the dark fates of the remaining survivors in a brutal, emotional climax.

Major international outlets have been equally impressed by this season, with TIME remarking, “The final season delivers a raw punch, returning to the franchise’s savage core.” Additionally, Collider praised it as “a breathtaking finale that maximizes every strength and goes even further”, whereas Financial Times called the series’ latest edition “addictive as ever with sharp direction and a relentless pace.”