“Director Hwang Dong-hyuk believed in me” — T.O.P speaks up about the casting controversy and the absence of his personal promotions

T.O.P, also known by his real name Choi Seung-hyun, recently ended an 11-year silence to reflect on his life following his controversial cannabis case. In an interview with MTN News on January 19, 2025, he openly discussed his struggles, the criticism he faced, and his path toward personal redemption.

Seung-hyun's role as Thanos in Squid Game 2 has also brought him renewed attention. This role marks his first return to the entertainment industry since 2016 and his first public project since leaving BIGBANG and stepping away from music.

In the interview, T.O.P credited Squid Game director Hwang Dong-hyuk for taking a chance on him, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to rebuild his career. Emphasizing how pivotal the director's faith was in his decision to return to acting, he said:

"Director Hwang Dong-hyuk believed in me."

The casting of T.O.P as Thanos, a complex and troubled character, was met with mixed reactions, given his past. Despite the initial backlash, he dedicated himself to the role, using it as a means to confront his mistakes and show his growth.

However, his absence from Squid Game 2's promotional activities after its release in December 2024 had raised questions among fans. In this interview, he explained that his decision was rooted in a desire to avoid detracting from the series.

The interview ultimately highlighted T.O.P's focus on redemption and living an honest life moving forward. He also acknowledged his past mistakes and reiterated his commitment to learning from them.

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BIGBANG's former member T.O.P discusses the director's involvement in his casting process for Squid Game 2

The decision to cast T.O.P in the globally anticipated Squid Game 2 had caused widespread controversy when the decision was announced. Critics questioned whether his involvement in the project was an attempt to rehabilitate his tarnished public image.

T.O.P, however, emphasized the complexity of his return to the public eye, admitting to deep apprehension about the potential backlash his participation could bring to the series.

"I feared that appearing in front of the media again might harm the production, but I also felt a responsibility to address the questions and concerns people had about me,"

Director Hwang Dong-hyuk, the creative force behind Squid Game, played a pivotal role in T.O.P's inclusion. Despite public criticism, Hwang believed in the former BIGBANG star's ability to bring authenticity to the character of Thanos, a role that is said to mirror some of his personal struggles. Reflecting on this T.O.P said:

“Director Hwang believed in me and reassured me to build my confidence when I doubted myself. I worked harder than ever to honor the trust he placed in me, knowing that my past mistakes could never be erased or justified as a publicity stunt.”

The casting process was rigorous, involving multiple auditions and in-depth discussions with the director. The former idol revealed that the character's traits initially unsettled him, as they forced him to confront his past mistakes directly.

He revealed spending months studying real-life cases of addiction to bring depth to his portrayal, ultimately delivering a performance that polarized audiences. While domestic reactions were largely critical, international viewers offered more favorable reviews.

Despite his gratitude for the opportunity, he himself chose to abstain from Squid Game 2's promotional activities. Some interpreted his absence as a lack of appreciation for the project. However, he clarified, stating:

“I wanted to support the promotion but felt my involvement might detract from the series. It was never a matter of disregard; I hold deep respect and gratitude for the team.”

Looking ahead, T.O.P plans to rebuild his career under his real name for acting and his stage name for music. He expressed a commitment to living as a responsible, grounded individual.

“I owe a great debt to those I’ve let down, and I’ll spend the rest of my life repaying it by never repeating the same mistakes. My goal is to lead an honest and dedicated life.”

Through his role in Squid Game 2, Choi Seung-hyun hopes to show that growth is possible, even after failure. He is now driven by a desire for redemption and the support of those who continue to believe in him.

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Squid Game 2 is available to stream on Netflix.