“I wasn't in a position to make decisions regarding promotions”- T.O.P addresses questions about absence during Squid Game 2 promotions

Choi Seung-hyun, also known as T.O.P recently addressed the controversies surrounding him during an official interview with media outlets regarding his role in Netflix's Squid Game Season 2, as reported by Sisa Week on January 16. This marks his first personal interview in 11 years since Tazza: The Hand of God in 2014 and comes 8 years after facing legal consequences for marijuana use.

The rapper halted his entertainment career due to a 2017 sentence of 10 months in prison with 2 years of probation for marijuana use in 2016. Last year, he returned as an actor, portraying the villain Thanos in Squid Game season 2, which premiered on December 26. However, his casting sparked public backlash due to past controversies.

"I wasn't in a position to make decisions regarding promotions so I followed whatever was decided for me. There were absolutely no other motives or calculations involved. Until now, there hasn't been a channel for communication and no reason or opportunity for interviews," said T.O.P addressing his absence from Squid Game 2 promotions.

Reportedly, T.O.P did not participate in the promotional activities for Squid Game Season 2. While the director Hwang Dong-hyuk and other cast members conducted interviews over 2 weeks, T.O.P’s interview was added later under a media embargo as per Sisa Week. During the media interview in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, he expressed gratitude to the attending press.

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T.O.P on why he chose to do Squid Game season 2

T.O.P admitted that returning to the spotlight through an interview after such a long time felt reckless, but he viewed Squid Game 2 as the right opportunity to do so. He explained that he approached the interview with caution and courage, given how much time had passed since his last one.

Regarding his participation in the series, T.O.P revealed that he received an audition offer through the production company. Although initially hesitant due to the character’s parallels with his own past mistakes, he ultimately saw the role as a fateful challenge.

After submitting an audition tape, meeting with the director twice for readings, and collaborating on character development, recording the tape again, his casting was confirmed.

“No. To be honest, I felt a strong desire to repay Director Hwang Dong-hyeok’s trust in me, who reached out to me when no one had looked at me for 10 years. That’s also why I gained confidence," he said.

Choi shared that his confidence in portraying Thanos also stemmed from the character’s flaws and shortcomings, which made him feel relatable and reflective of the present era.

He noted that Thanos was intentionally written as an exaggerated, clown-like character who lightens the otherwise heavy and intense atmosphere of the series. At the director’s suggestion, he portrayed Thanos with high energy to reflect the character’s dependency on powerful stimulants, aiming to create someone operating at an almost surreal level of intensity.

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T.O.P apologizes for his past mistakes

T.O.P shared that he initially considered stepping away from Squid Game Season 2 due to the backlash surrounding his casting. Reflecting on the pain he had caused others in the past, he admitted feeling devastated and reluctant to risk further harm.

However, director Hwang Dong-hyuk worked closely with him to develop the character, instilling confidence through their collaborative process. Despite this support, he described the experience as emotionally heavy and challenging. When asked about playing a drug-dependent rapper, he acknowledged the mental toll of filming such scenes.

“Of course, it was not easy mentally to film the scene where Thanos takes drugs, as he is dependent on drugs, in front of a large number of production crew and actors," he stated.

He admitted that these moments forced him to confront his own past, describing it as a personal battle. Addressing the mixed reactions to his performance, he explained that he accepts both praise and criticism as subjective evaluations that he must humbly endure.

When asked about his past remarks on retiring from entertainment, the rapper reflected on his journey. He expressed gratitude for the immense love and success he experienced in his 20s but admitted that he had also made significant mistakes during that time.

T.O.P shared that the uncharted challenges he faced left him psychologically exhausted, broken, and unable to make sound judgments. He attributed his mistakes to the overwhelming stress he was under. Choi stated that he continues to reflect on past mistakes, offering a sincere apology for his behavior.