Park Sung-hoon, one of the stars of Squid Game, has apologized after sharing an explicit image related to a porn parody of the popular Netflix series.
The second season of Squid Game debuted on Netflix on December 26, featuring both returning and new characters. Lee Jung-jae reprised his role as Gi-hun, determined to put an end to the deadly Squid Games. Joining him in the new season are contestants played by T.O.P from BigBang, ZE:A’s Yim Si-wan, Iz*One’s Jo Yuri, and Park Sung-hoon, who portrays Hyun-Ju.
Controversy Surrounding Park Sung-hoon
Park’s character, Hyun-Ju, is a transgender woman and former Marine who enters the Squid Games to pay for gender-affirming surgery.
However, the actor recently faced backlash after posting a controversial image to his Instagram Stories. The image was the DVD cover of a Japanese pornographic parody titled Squirt Game. Though Park swiftly deleted the post, the damage was done.
In South Korea, the distribution of pornographic material is a criminal offense punishable by up to one year in prison and a fine.
Initially, some fans speculated that Park’s account might have been hacked, as reported by Pink News. However, the timing of the post added to the criticism, as Korea JoongAng Daily noted it coincided with a seven-day mourning period following the tragic Jeju Air plane crash on December 29.
Public Reaction and Agency Response
The incident sparked widespread reactions on social media, with some users on Twitter calling for Park’s removal from his upcoming drama, The Tyrant’s Chef, according to Dexerto.
Park’s agency, BH Entertainment, released a statement apologizing for the situation. The statement read:
“Actor Park accidentally posted the image, which he received in a direct message, by mistakenly pressing the wrong button.
“The actor himself was also very shocked. He is deeply sorry for making such a mistake in these circumstances and promises to be especially careful to ensure it doesn’t happen again.”
Casting Criticism
Park’s casting as a transgender woman in Squid Game season two has also drawn criticism. Many social media users expressed disappointment that the role went to a cisgender actor rather than a transgender performer.
Addressing this, Squid Game creator Hwang Dong-hyuk told TV Guide:
“In the beginning, we were doing our research, and I was thinking of doing an authentic casting of a trans actor.
“When we researched in Korea, there are close to no actors [who] are openly trans, let alone openly gay, because unfortunately in Korean society the LGBTQ+ community is still marginalised and more neglected, which is heart-breaking.”
Netflix also confirmed that trans and LGBTQ+ consultants were involved in developing the second season, as reported by NBC News.
Despite the controversies, Squid Game season two remains a hot topic, with its storylines and character choices sparking significant discussions worldwide.