Hyun-Ju

Hyun‑ju (Player 120) is a former Special Forces sergeant turned contestant in Squid Game. She enters the deadly competition to finance her gender-affirming surgery after losing her military career, family support, and job due to transitioning . Despite initial isolation, she quickly earns respect through leadership, skill, and compassion—helping teammates survive challenges, mentoring them, and playing a key role in Gi‑hun’s final rebellion . Her calm under pressure and tactical expertise mark her as one of the strongest and most beloved characters of Season 2 . Her story resonated widely—not only for her resilience, but also for bringing visibility to transgender issues in South Korea, a country where LGBTQ+ representation remains rare .