10 Park Sung-hoon Shows To Watch + 7 Facts About The 'Squid Game' Star

Season 3 of Squid Game has come to a close. And among the faces who have gained our attention and hearts is Player 120, Cho Hyun-ju, a transgender participant and former special forces soldier who joined the games to fund her gender-affirming surgeries. The character, played by actor Park Sung-hoon, won hearts for her bravado, selflessness, and being an unexpected MVP.

In a promotional clip introducing the cast, Park Sung-hoon said of Hyun-ju: "Even though she faces prejudice and tough situations, she shows incredible strength, decisiveness, and natural leadership. Through her resilience, she breaks down stereotypes and shines as an inspiring character."

It isn't without controversy though — the show initially sparked backlash for casting a cisgender person in a transgender role. However, director Hwang Dong-hyuk later addressed the issue, citing the difficulty of finding openly transgender actors in South Korea, despite wanting to “authentically” cast a transgender woman.

Still, Park Sun-hoon has won praise for his portrayal, and here's what to know about the 40-year-old actor. Plus, scroll to the bottom for a list of Park Sung-hoon's movies and shows to catch!

1. He has a reputation for villainous roles

If you thought "I've seen him before..." while watching the show, well, Park Sun-hoon has also appeared in recent K-drama hits The Glory and Queen of Tears — and contrary to his character in Squid Game, he played the antagonist in both of these shows.

He took on the role of Jeon Jae-jun in The Glory, the arrogant and insufferable owner of luxury store Siesta and CC Golf Resort who bullied and assaulted main character Moon Dong-eun (Song Hye-kyo) when they were in high school.

And in Queen of Tears, he portrayed Yoon Eun-sung, the university friend of the female lead, chaebol heiress Hong Hae-in. Not only does he have a creepy obsession with her, but he also plots to take over her family's company. In fact, he played the role so well that he received a truckload of hate from viewers.

During an appearance on South Korean variety show programme ‘You Quiz On The Block’, he recalled an incident in a restaurant where a woman hit him on the back, asking him to leave the show's lead characters, Hong Hae-in and Baek Hyun-woo (played by Kim Ji-won and Kim Soo-hyun respectively) alone. He also received many negative direct messages on social media.

If that's not the mark of a convincing actor, we don't know what is.

2. His family faced financial hardships when he was younger

While he might play privileged badasses in the shows and was rumoured to have come from a wealthy background, he has revealed that his family was, on the contrary, not well-off.

Following the Asian financial crisis in 1997, his father lost his job, and his family faced money woes. When Sung-hoon was in high school, he did not have pocket money apart from transportation fees. He shared an incident where he couldn't afford hamburgers while with friends and ended up squatting on a staircase outside to wait for them.

On You Quiz on the Block, he also revealed that he used to live in a semi-basement flat for seven years, likening it to the one in Korean film Parasite, while pursuing stage acting. He told hosts Yoo Jae-suk and Jo Se-ho, "My elder sister lent me the security deposit and I paid for my rent every month."

He added that the living conditions were so poor that the living room would flood during rainy seasons. "The water would reach my calves. If I didn't manage it, it would flood to my chest," he said. "There was also a limit to how much water I could scoop out using a dustpan, so I would use winter blankets to absorb the rainwater and repeatedly squeeze it out in the toilet."

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3. He struggled as an actor in his early years

His acting career reportedly started in a theatre company. But as he wasn't given enough opportunities on stage, he had to take on odd jobs, including giving out flyers and working at a bar.

Later on, after departing the theatre, he clinched a small role in the historical film A Frozen Flower (2008), and subsequently Jeon Woo-chi: The Taoist Wizard (2009).

Despite these roles, his career did not take off, and he took on part-time jobs at a concert hall, assuming the roles of both an announcer and a merchandise vendor.

His breakthrough came in 2018, when he played one of the leading roles, Sung-hoon, in Jeong Beom-sik's supernatural horror film Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum. A surprise box office hit, the show drew over two million viewers, making him a more recognised face. In the same year, he starred in My Only One as dentist Jang Go-rae, a character that was popular with many viewers and earned him the endearing title of 'the nation's son-in-law'.

This bagged him the Best New Actor Award at the 2018 KBS Drama Awards.

Subsequently, his roles in The Glory and Queen of Tears catapulted him to stardom, and the rest is history.

4. He has a close friendship with a fellow 'Squid Game' star

His days in the theatre also connected him to fellow Squid Game actor Park Hae-soo, who played Cho Sang-woo (Player 218) in season one. In an interview with Deadline, he shared, “Park Hae-soo is in the same agency that I am in, and we go way back from when we were in theater together."

5. He was caught up in a Squid Game-related controversy

In December 2024, Park Sung-hoon sparked backlash after accidentally posting a porn parody image of the show on his Instagram Stories during a national mourning period. The explicit image, referencing a Japanese AV titled “Squirt Game,” was quickly deleted, but screenshots went viral. Park later explained it was mistakenly uploaded while trying to forward it to his agency. He publicly apologised, tearfully expressing regret and promising to be more cautious. Despite criticism and stepping down from a drama role, he resumed his career weeks later and has been cast in a new romance series alongside Han Ji-min.

6. His last publicly known relationship was with a fellow actress

The actor has mostly kept his private life out of the limelight, but he reportedly dated fellow actress Ryu Hyun-kyung (Source: Soompi) for six years before the two broke up in 2022. They first met in 2016 while working on the play Almost, Maine, and went public with their relationship in 2017.

The reason for their breakup is not known, but according to various Korean media outlets, both the actors' agencies confirmed the news.

7. He has a dog named Box

If you're wondering about Park Sung-hoon's Instagram handle @boxabum, it's named after his dog, Box. Not only does Sung-hoon often show off Box on his account, the adorable pooch has graced various magazine covers alongside him, such as Cosmopolitan Korea and Dazed Korea. In fact, Box also has his own Instagram handle: @boxuncle. Cute!

Park Sung-hoon's Movies & Shows To Watch

1. The Glory (2022–23)

Park Sung-hoon plays Jeon Jae-jun, a ruthless school bully who carried out physical assaults and verbal humiliation, shielded from consequences by his family's influence. As he grows into a wealthy businessman, his arrogance and abusive behavior remain unchanged.

2. Queen of Tears (2024)

In this hit rom‑com, Park steps into the role of Yoon Eun‑sung, a scheming friend obsessed with the heiress, delivering a performance so convincing that he had real hate messages sent his way.

3. Memorials (aka Into the Ring) (2020)

Park leads as Seo Gong‑myung, a rule‑obsessed civil servant who gets stuck working with a quirky activist (Nana). His on‑screen chemistry and earnest performance earned him the KBS Excellence Award.

4. Psychopath Diary (2019–20)

Park transforms into Seo In‑woo, a chilling psychopath who loses his diary, triggering a hilarious and dark comedic mix‑up. His ice‑cold, calculated turn here shows off his thrilling range.

5. Justice (2019)

Here, he plays Tak Soo‑ho, a morally conflicted lawyer embroiled in corporate corruption. This series let him flex dramatic chops and modern‑day intensity.

6. My Only One (2018–19)

Park played Jang Go‑rae across 100+ episodes of this deeply emotional family drama. His role helped him gain early fame and showed his ability to anchor a long‑running story.

7. Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum (2018) – Film

This found‑footage horror flick features Park as part of a ghost‑hunting crew within Korea’s most terrifying asylum. His mix of fear and bravery proved his work transcended beyond TV shows.

8. Squid Game Seasons 2 & 3 (2024–25)

Park blew up globally as Hyun‑ju, a courageous and selfless transgender ex‑soldier who leads players in Season 2 and returns in Season 3. His portrayal won widespread praise and quickly became a fan favourite.

9. The Kidnapping Day (2023)

In this crime thriller, Park steps into the shoes of Detective Park Sang‑yoon, a principled cop fighting corruption. It's a fresh break from his sinister roles and also shows his heroic side.

10. Black Knight: The Man Who Guards Me (2017–18)

Park supports as Park Gon in this fantasy‑romance where he subtly adds depth and intrigue. A quieter, but still compelling, performance.

This article was originally published on Dec 30, 2024 and updated on June 30, 2025.