Choi Seung-hyun, better known as T.O.P from BIGBANG, has ended his 11-year silence in an exclusive interview with The Korea Times, where he discussed his role in Squid Game Season 2 and addressed the controversies surrounding his return to acting.
T.O.P, who played the character Thanos in the hit Netflix series, expressed that the role was particularly challenging due to its similarities with his own past.
Thanos is a rapper whose career is derailed by drug use and failed cryptocurrency investments, a storyline that echoed T.O.P’s own struggles, including a 2017 jail sentence for marijuana use.
“The offer to play Thanos was daunting,” T.O.P said, admitting that the character mirrored aspects of his own life that he preferred to keep hidden.
Despite the fear of being typecast, he felt a sense of destiny in accepting the role, especially after director Hwang Dong-hyuk reached out to him directly.
T.O.P’s return to acting surprised many, especially after he announced his retirement from the entertainment industry in 2020. He explained that his 30s were a time of deep personal reflection, marked by shame and isolation. During these years, he focused on music as a way to heal, creating countless songs as a form of self-therapy.
Reflecting on his acting preparation for Squid Game, T.O.P discussed his research into the effects of potent drugs on individuals, which helped him shape Thanos’s character. He added physical details to his performance, including portraying Thanos with damaged teeth and adopting a rap style associated with drug use.
Now, at 37, T.O.P envisions a quieter, more stable life in his 40s, one free from the constant drama and negativity that has surrounded him in the past. “I want to reach a point where I can wake up without being bombarded by negative news and feel more at peace,” he said.
While many fans hoped for a BIGBANG reunion, T.O.P remains focused on his personal growth and healing, with music and acting offering him new avenues for expression.
