"It hurts that he left" — Fans react as T.O.P reveals exiting the group was his way to protect BIGBANG and its members

In an official interview with media outlets on January 15, 2025, Choi Seung-hyun, known professionally as T.O.P, shed light on his departure from the iconic K-pop group BIGBANG. As reported by Chosun Biz on January 16, he revealed that his exit was a deliberate move to protect the band and its members from the repercussions of his personal controversies.

T.O.P also disclosed that he watched BIGBANG's performance at the 2024 MAMA Awards. As reported by Daum, expressing a complex mix of emotions, he stated,

"I also watched BIGBANG's stage at the '2024 MAMA Awards' late last year. I had a brilliant twenties through BIGBANG that no one could compare to. It was a beautiful time, but my mistake ended up harming the team."

The rapper-turned-actor elaborated on his decision to leave BIGBANG, emphasizing that it was a protective measure for the group.

"I decided to leave because I cannot bring any more harm to the team. I felt very troubled because if I joined the team that I've harmed, I believe the members would carry that stigma. I know there are those who wish for a reunion. It hurts my heart so much to see such comments," he said, as per Chosun Biz.

The former BIGBANG member continued:

"Sometimes, fans tag me in photos of Big Bang members, including myself, on my social media. When I see those photos, it feels like looking at family pictures after a breakup. Unless you're the person involved, you cannot express that pain and suffering. I was very reckless."

The revelations elicited a wide range of reactions from fans worldwide. Many long-time supporters expressed empathy and understanding, appreciating T.O.P's honesty and the decisions he made for the group's well-being. Messages of support flooded social media platforms, with fans expressing hope for his personal growth and potential return to music. One fan wrote on X:

"He was my ult bias & still is. He deserves so much better than this. It hurts that he left, but I respect him & support him. Always. Choi Seunghyun, whatever you do, I hope you find your peace & forgive yourself. We'd rather have you away from the crowds as long as you're happy."

Fans lauded his candid reflections on his departure from BIGBANG, motivated by a desire to protect the group, which underscored the complexities of balancing personal struggles with professional responsibilities.

"I’ve never forget him, I know he’s gone and I respect his decision. I’m not just saying this because he was my ult bias… there’s people that have done so much worse than him and for some reason they got a second chance…why didn’t he," a fan wrote.

"GD needs to stand outside his window and a boombox playing FXXK IT like he’s in an 80’s movie with a sign attached that says 'we don’t care come back.' That might work," another fan said.

"I hate to go back to old habits but I hope he knows that his 'mistake' didn't ruin BIGBANG to anyone but a tiny part of the korean public, it was Seungri who used BB fame to commit s*xual crimes the one that betrayed our trust as fans and damaged the group," one more fan commented.

Others expressed that it is time he returned to the entertainment industry, as it has been years since he went on a hiatus.

"I respect it! No more talk about TOP coming back to Bigbang anymore. Can’t wait for your solo bro!" one fan stated.

"The irony of him saying he didn't want to harm the team when BIGBANG numbers are currently the highest they've ever been, because HE'S bringing so many new fans after Squid Game. Obviously it's due to Jiyongs cb too, but you know what I mean. Things could have been SO GOOD rn," another fan wrote.

"At this point, I just wish more than anything that he could be free of the guilt, pain and shame that he's been carrying for years. You deserve to live happily, choi seunghyun." one other fan added.

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T.O.P's drug scandal and return to the entertainment industry with Squid Game 2

In 2017, T.O.P faced legal issues when he was accused of smoking marijuana on four occasions at his home in Seoul in 2016. Marijuana use is illegal in South Korea, thus, the charges led to a 10-month prison sentence, and he also got suspended for two years.

The scandal had immediate repercussions on his career and personal life. T.O.P was serving his mandatory military service at the time and was subsequently dismissed from his position. Furthermore, the intense public scrutiny and legal battles led him to retreat from the entertainment industry, initiating a hiatus that would last several years.

After years away from the spotlight, T.O.P has now started to re-establish his presence in the entertainment industry. Notably, he took the role of a failed rapper called "Thanos"—the erratic Player 230 who was also a drug addict—in Netflix's Squid Game 2, portraying a character with a troubled past.

The casting of Squid Game 2 was met with both anticipation and scrutiny, given the parallels between his character's narrative and his real-life experiences. As per media house People's report on December 28, 2024, director Hwang Dong-hyuk commented on T.O.P's performance, stating,

"I feel that it took him a lot of guts, in a way, to portray a character, especially someone who shares a lot of similarities that are quite negative to him as a person too. So I think it took him a lot of courage to take on that role."

Meanwhile, on January 16, 2025, The Korea Times reported that T.O.P took on the role of Thanos in Squid Game 2 as he felt a call of his "destiny."

"The offer to play Thanos was a daunting proposition. The character mirrored my past, reflecting aspects I'd rather keep hidden. The fear of being pigeonholed into one role made me hesitate. But destiny seemed to be pulling me in this direction," he said.

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Squid Game 2 starring Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, T.O.P. Yim Si-wan, and Park Sung-hoon, among others, is available to stream on Netflix.