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On January 25, 2025, Choi Seung-hyun, better known as South Korean boy group BIGBANG's former member T.O.P, appeared in an interview for the YouTube channel @chinatimesent. During the interview, he addressed the comparisons to BIGBANG’s Last Dance rap and explained the creative process behind the lyrics and the intention behind his approach.
He discussed his creative approach of crafting Thanos’s rap for Squid Game 2, which was to make it potentially a viral meme material. His intention behind writing the raps was to make the rap accessible to younger audiences, inspired by the rise of short-form content like Shorts and Reels.
"I thought it would be nice if this Thanos rap clip could become a meme that even elementary & middle school students could watch & follow along," the rapper-turned-actor revealed.
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T.O.P talks about crafting Thanos’s rap for Squid Game 2: Aiming for simplicity and meme potential
Choi Seung-hyun, who plays Thanos in Squid Game 2, recently shared his perspective on crafting the character’s unique rap and its potential to become a viral sensation.
“In the case of rap, since Thanos is not a great rapper but a failed hip-hop loser character, the rap lyrics in the script that the director originally wrote had more characters & were a bit longer. But the Thanos that in my mind was a bit more hip-hop loser & cringey.”
T.O.P aimed to align the rap style with the character’s comedic and flawed persona. He believed simplifying the lyrics into something short, intuitive, and easy to follow would better suit the character.
“I thought if the rap was a more intuitive rap (short, simple & easy to follow), it would suit this character better,” he shared.
The BIGBANG rapper emphasized how the rise of short-form content shaped his creative approach. With platforms like Shorts and Reels becoming popular among younger audiences, he envisioned the Thanos rap as a potential meme that even elementary and middle school students could enjoy and easily follow.
To achieve this, Choi reworked the lyrics to be as straightforward and symbolic as possible, allowing people of all ages to enjoy and engage with them. He emphasized his desire to make the rap memorable and accessible.
“I made the rap with the desire to make the lyrics as simple as possible & include symbolic sentences so that anyone could follow along.”
Thanos’s rap in Squid Game 2 reminds fans of T.O.P’s Last Dance
T.O.P became a trending topic following his appearance in Squid Game 2. His portrayal of Thanos, a washed-up rapper turned Squid Game participant, captured the audience's attention in the second season of Netflix’s hit series.
In a memorable scene, he rapped in an attempt to impress a woman during the game.
"In a sea of faces/You caught my eye/Red, orange, yellow, green/I am the legend, Thanos/I like you!"
Fans quickly noticed the striking similarity between this verse and T.O.P’s rap in BIGBANG’s hit song Last Dance. The connection sparked a wave of nostalgia and excitement on social media, as viewers celebrated the subtle nod to his musical roots. Through Thanos, T.O.P’s real-life artistry added depth and authenticity to the character, making him relatable and memorable to the fans.
Thanos’ rapping, however, wasn’t limited to romance. The story of Squid Game 2 revealed that Thanos fell into debt of 1.19 billion won after investing his savings in cryptocurrency, influenced by Myeong-gi, a YouTuber portrayed by Im Si-wan.
The two characters crossed paths during the deadly games, both burdened by the consequences of their financial mistakes. When Thanos recognized Myeong-gi, emotions flared, nearly leading to a physical confrontation. Before the situation escalated, Thanos introduced himself with a rap:
"You may not know me/but I know you. MC Coin."
The line, delivered with humor, resonated with viewers, who applauded how the series incorporated T.O.P’s rap skills.
As Squid Game 2 unfolded, Thanos’ journey and lyrical moments left a lasting impression, marking T.O.P’s bold and unforgettable return to the entertainment world.
On January 1, 2025, Netflix revealed the first poster and motion teaser for Squid Game season 3, confirming it as the final chapter set to premiere later in 2025. The announcement came shortly after the release of season 2, which debuted on December 26, 2024.
Fans are now eagerly anticipating both Squid Game season 3 and the rapper-turned-actor’s next project.
