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5 Shocking Facts About 'Unnie From Squid Game' Player 120 (Cho Hyun-ju) And The Actor Behind The Role

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The moniker "Unnie from Squid Game" has taken on a dramatically new meaning in the current pop culture landscape, shifting from the fan-favorite Kang Sae-byeok of Season 1 to a far more complex and controversial figure in the latest installment. As of December 21, 2025, the character dominating headlines is Cho Hyun-ju, also known as Player 120, a central figure in Squid Game Season 2 and the recently confirmed Season 3, whose compelling story arc is matched only by the intense debates surrounding the actor cast in the role. This article dives deep into the identity, the actor, and the explosive controversies that have made this "Unnie" the most talked-about character of the new era.

Cho Hyun-ju, or Player 120, has quickly become the emotional heart and a fan-favorite MVP of the new season, earning the affectionate "Unnie" title from viewers and fellow players for her protective, older-sister demeanor within the deadly games. However, the casting of a cisgender male actor, Park Sung-hoon, in the role of a transgender woman has sparked a global conversation about representation, a controversy that intensified following a separate, unrelated scandal involving the actor himself. This unprecedented situation has cemented the character's status as the most headline-grabbing entity in the Squid Game universe right now.

Park Sung-hoon: Complete Biography and Profile

The actor behind the compelling performance of Cho Hyun-ju (Player 120) is the renowned South Korean star, Park Sung-hoon. Before landing the role that would generate global controversy, Park had already established himself as a versatile and magnetic presence in K-dramas and film, often specializing in memorable antagonist roles.

  • Full Name: Park Sung-hoon (박성훈)
  • Date of Birth: February 18, 1985
  • Age (as of 2025): 40 years old
  • Birthplace: South Korea
  • Height: 185 cm (6 ft 1 in)
  • Agency: BH Entertainment
  • Debut: 2008 (Film: A Frozen Flower)
  • Key Roles (Pre-Squid Game):
    • The Glory (2022-2023): Jeon Jae-jun (Antagonist/Bully)
    • Queen of Tears (2024): Yoon Eun-sung
    • My Only One (2018): Jang Go-rae (Won Best New Actor at the 2018 KBS Drama Awards)
    • Memorials (2020): Seo Gong-myung (Won Excellent Actor at the 2020 KBS Drama Awards)

The Cho Hyun-ju Character: Player 120 and the 'Unnie' Persona

Cho Hyun-ju, known as Player 120, is introduced in Squid Game Season 2 as a former soldier who was honorably discharged after coming out as a trans woman. Her character quickly resonates with audiences for her resilience, her protective nature over her fellow players—the source of the "Unnie" (older sister) nickname—and her heartbreaking motive: to win the prize money to support her transition and family.

The character’s arc is cited as one of the most compelling and poignant of the season, showcasing the intense personal sacrifices and the desperate need for financial security that drives many to enter the deadly game. She represents a significant, if controversial, step in the representation of transgender individuals in mainstream Korean media, particularly in a global series like Squid Game. Her role is so significant that early reports confirm her involvement in Squid Game Season 3, suggesting a major, ongoing presence in the franchise.

The Dual Controversy: Casting Debate and Actor Scandal

The global conversation around the "Unnie from Squid Game" is primarily driven by two separate but equally explosive controversies involving Park Sung-hoon, which have kept his name and the show's new season constantly in the news cycle. This is the fresh, unique angle that defines the current narrative around the character.

1. The Cisgender Casting Debate

The most significant debate centers on the decision to cast Park Sung-hoon, a cisgender male actor, to play the transgender character Cho Hyun-ju. While the actor's performance has been widely praised for its sensitivity and depth, the casting choice itself drew immediate backlash from many in the LGBTQ+ community and critics who argued that a transgender actress should have been given the role.

In response, Squid Game creator Hwang Dong-hyuk defended the choice, explaining that casting a trans actress was "near impossible" due to the specific requirements of the role and the limited pool of publicly out trans actors in the Korean industry who could handle the intense physical and emotional demands of a major series. Park Sung-hoon himself addressed the issue, discussing the public perception of a cisgender actor playing a transgender role and stating that he approached the role with the utmost respect and dedication to portraying Hyun-ju as the compelling woman she is.

2. The Explicit Image Scandal and K-Drama Exit

In a bizarre and unrelated turn of events, Park Sung-hoon faced a separate, highly publicized scandal that further amplified his visibility. The actor was forced to issue a tearful apology after facing intense backlash for sharing an explicit image derived from an adult parody of the hit Netflix series.

The controversy was severe enough that it led to immediate professional consequences. Park Sung-hoon subsequently dropped out of the cast of the forthcoming tvN K-drama, The Tyrant's Chef. This scandal, occurring concurrently with the release of Squid Game Season 2, thrust the actor into the center of a media firestorm, ironically making the character he plays—Cho Hyun-ju, the "Unnie"—even more of a global talking point. The combination of a groundbreaking role and a personal scandal has made Park Sung-hoon one of the most discussed actors of late 2025.

The Legacy of the 'Unnie' Title: From Sae-byeok to Hyun-ju

While Cho Hyun-ju (Player 120) is the current and most controversial "Unnie from Squid Game," it is important to remember that the term was first widely and affectionately applied to Kang Sae-byeok (Player 067), played by Jung Ho-yeon, in Season 1.

Sae-byeok earned the title for her protective relationship with her younger brother and her cool, self-reliant demeanor. The enduring fan use of "Saebyeok-unnie" highlights how the Korean honorific "Unnie" has been adopted by a global audience to signify a powerful, protective, and admirable older female figure in the series. The shift from Jung Ho-yeon's breakout model-turned-actress role to Park Sung-hoon's controversial, yet critically acclaimed, portrayal of Cho Hyun-ju marks a significant evolution in the themes and characters that drive the Squid Game narrative forward into its future seasons.

The story of Cho Hyun-ju is a testament to Squid Game's continued ability to generate buzz, not just through its brutal games, but through complex, socially relevant character narratives. The "Unnie" of the new season is not just a player; she is a symbol of a massive cultural and representational debate.

unnie from squid game
unnie from squid game

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