Burying the lede:

“In the beginning we were doing our research, and I was thinking of doing an authentic casting of a trans actor,” [ Squid Game creator Hwang Dong-hyuk ] explained. “When we researched in Korea, there are close to no actors that are openly trans, let alone openly gay, because unfortunately in the Korean society currently the LGBTQ community is rather still marginalized and more neglected, which is heartbreaking.”

Long term change does call for small steps in the right direction of representation, so we shouldn’t be hasty in crucifying the creators over casting choices. But, then again…

“…there are close to no actors that are openly trans…”

So there were out trans actors available but, for one reason or another, none of them were suitable for the show. I’d like to know more about this. Like, did they audition trans actors? Do talent agencies just not represent any trans actors in S Korea, thus gatekeeping them out of roles like this? There’s a deeper dive to be had into this topic that the article doesn’t seem to care much about.

Removed by mod

so they couldn’t find a trans actor in Korea for the role? guess another actor will have to act like someone they are not.