If you’ve binged the latest seasons of the Netflix juggernaut, you know the vibe is different this time. Darker. More personal. But one character basically hijacked the entire conversation: Cho Hyun Ju, also known as Player 120.
She isn't just another body in a green tracksuit waiting to be eliminated. Honestly, her arc is probably the most layered thing the show has done since Ali’s tragic exit in season one. But there’s a lot of noise surrounding her. Some people are obsessed with her Special Forces background, while others are still debating the controversial casting of Park Sung-hoon.
Let's cut through the theories and look at what actually went down with the character who redefined survival in the games.
Who is Cho Hyun Ju?
Basically, Cho Hyun Ju is a former Special Forces sergeant. That’s her "edge." While most players are just desperate, she’s actually trained for high-stakes combat and tactical movement. She was discharged from the military after coming out as a transgender woman, which is a huge deal in the context of South Korean society.
She’s in the game for a very specific reason. She needs the prize money for her final gender-affirming surgery and to potentially move to Thailand to start over. It's a goal that feels more tangible than just "paying off gambling debts."
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The Player 120 Stats
- Rank: Former Sergeant, Special Forces.
- Ally: Becomes a core member of Seong Gi-hun’s rebellion.
- Fate: (Spoiler alert) She makes it through Season 2 but meets a brutal end in Season 3.
- Signature move: Taking out cameras and handling an MP5 with terrifying precision.
The Controversial Casting of Park Sung-hoon
You've probably seen the headlines. Why is a cisgender man playing a trans woman? It’s a valid question. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk has been pretty open about it, though. He mentioned that finding an "out" trans actress in South Korea who could handle the physical and emotional demands of the role was "near impossible" due to the country’s conservative climate.
Park Sung-hoon—who you might know as the villain from The Glory—took the role very seriously. He worked with members of the trans community to avoid making her a caricature. Kinda rare for a big production to be that careful.
The result? A character that isn't defined just by her identity. She’s a badass first. Her identity is why she’s there, but her skills are why she survives.
Why Cho Hyun Ju is the "New Ali"
Remember how Ali was the moral compass of the first game? Hyun Ju fills a similar gap, but with more teeth. She’s compassionate. She helps Gi-hun save a man during "Red Light, Green Light." But she’s also a realist.
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One of the coolest moments is during the "Six-Legged Pentathlon." She doesn't just run; she leads. She encourages the group. She knocks some sense into Seon-nyeo when she starts spiraling. She’s the anchor.
The Rebellion and the MP5 Slap
In the later episodes of Season 2, things go off the rails. Gi-hun wants to take down the facility from the inside. This is where Hyun Ju’s military training becomes the MVP of the show. There’s a specific scene where she’s instructing other players on how to use an MP5 submachine gun.
She’s the only one who does the "HK slap" on the bolt—a tiny detail for gun nerds that proves she knows exactly what she’s doing. She isn't just playing; she's operating.
The Tragic End in Season 3
If you haven't finished the latest episodes, look away now. Seriously.
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Hyun Ju survives the initial games of Season 2, but Season 3 is where the "Bury Your Gays" trope unfortunately rears its head. During the fourth game—a twisted version of Hide and Seek involving keys and knives—she gets caught in the crossfire.
She dies while trying to protect a pregnant player, Kim Jun-hee. She even kills two other players (226 and 202) to ensure Jun-hee’s safety. It’s a heroic, gut-wrenching exit. She was murdered by Lee Myung-gi, a character everyone pretty much hates at this point.
What This Means for Future Seasons
Cho Hyun Ju changed the "Squid Game" formula. Before her, characters were either victims, villains, or Seong Gi-hun. She was a professional. She brought a tactical element to the show that made the "rebellion" subplot feel actually possible.
The fan reception has been massive. On Reddit and Twitter, people are still mourning Player 120. Even with the casting controversy, the writing for the character was surprisingly nuanced for a show that usually treats its players like disposable meat.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
- Watch the details: Re-watch the Mingle game. Notice how she positions her allies. That’s her Special Forces training at work.
- Understand the context: Her story highlights real-world discrimination in the South Korean military and job market.
- Check out the actor's other work: If you want to see Park Sung-hoon’s range, watch The Glory or Queen of Tears. The contrast is insane.
Cho Hyun Ju might be gone, but she’s the reason the "rebellion" had a fighting chance. She wasn't just a player; she was the soldier they needed.