"K media reporters better behave"- Fans react as BIGBANG's T.O.P is reported to make his first media since 2016 to talk Squid Game 2 role as Thanos

On January 10, 2025, South Korean media outlet OSEN reported that BIGBANG's former member T.O.P (Choi Seung-hyun) will meet with reporters on January 15 to discuss his role in Squid Game season 2.

The interview, his first with the press in nearly a decade, will take place at a café in Seoul. This news has sparked anticipation, as T.O.P has been absent from all promotional activities for the series.

The interview announcement comes amidst renewed fan frustration over the treatment of T.O.P in South Korean media. Recently, his face was blurred during an MBC broadcast discussing Squid Game 2. Fans criticized the network, alleging unfair targeting of the actor due to his past legal issues, including a 2016 conviction for mari*uana use.

Although no legal mandate requires such censorship, South Korean networks often adhere to internal policies that discourage featuring individuals with criminal records. Fans of T.O.P have expressed both excitement and concern over the upcoming press event.

Many have taken to social media to urge the press to remain respectful and avoid focusing excessively on the actor’s past controversies. An X user, @Minak03160944 wrote,

"K media reporters better behave and act as professionals because the whole world is watching you and for sure I'm not going to be nice if you mistreat #ChoiSeunghyun, enough is enough we aren't going to let you continue hurt my boy. Good luck to my precious we have your back."

Others echoed the sentiment, urging the media to avoid making the idol-turned-actor uncomfortable by revisiting his past.

"Hope they're kinder to him this time around," a fan commented.

"I only hope that they are respectful and behave up to the standards of the civilized society they claim to be. TOP deserves all the respect in the world," an X user wrote.

"He has decided to grace reporters with an interview so let's hope they have the decency to respect him and his boundaries," a fan mentioned.

"south korea better be on their best behavior and welcome him back like a king i will accept nothing less," a user added.

T.O.P's fans rejoiced at his long-awaited return to the spotlight after nearly a decade.

"if you told 12yr old me this i guarantee you hed cry and genuinely faint after screaming frantically," a fan commented.

"TOP is back! A living legend of Korean pop culture," an X user added.

"so excited for him. he deserves a respectful and positive interview about his breakout performance as thanos the great!," a user wrote.

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More about BIGBANG's T.O.P's role and casting controversy in Squid Game 2

In Squid Game 2, which premiered in December 2024, T.O.P plays Thanos, a retired rapper who becomes entangled in the deadly game due to financial ruin after a failed cryptocurrency investment. Despite the controversy surrounding his casting, fans and viewers have praised his portrayal of the complex character.

Thanos, who conceals synthetic dr*gs in a necklace and uses them during the game, has been described as a bold and dynamic addition to the series.

However, his inclusion in the cast was not without backlash. Many questioned whether his involvement stemmed from personal connections to key players in the production, such as Lee Jung-jae and Lee Byung-hun. Both actors, along with series director Hwang Dong-hyuk, have denied these claims, asserting that T.O.P earned the role through a rigorous audition process.

Director Hwang emphasized that he saw potential in the actor, who, despite a lengthy hiatus, delivered a performance that exceeded expectations. While T.O.P’s return to acting has been met with mixed reactions domestically, international audiences have largely embraced his performance, reflecting differing cultural attitudes toward redemption and second chances.

Director Hwang acknowledged these differences, stating that the exaggerated traits of Thanos were intentionally crafted to suit the narrative, even if they elicited polarized responses in South Korea.

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As anticipation builds for the January 15 interview, attention remains firmly fixed on T.O.P’s reentry into the public eye and how his narrative may evolve in the wake of Squid Game 2’s global success.