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Squid Game season 2, which premiered on December 26, 2024, has been embroiled in several controversies, including the casting of BIGBANG member T.O.P. On January 2, 2025, Sports Today reported that the show's creator and director, Hwang Dong-hyuk, considered casting South Korean rapper Swings for the role of 'Thanos.'
A significant point of discussion surrounding season 2 is the casting of Choi Seung-hyun, known as T.O.P from the K-pop group BIGBANG, in the role of 'Thanos' (Player 230). Thanos emerges as a central antagonist characterized by his reckless behavior and enjoyment of the lethal games. T.O.P's portrayal has been lauded for its intensity and depth, marking his return to acting after a hiatus.
Before finalizing T.O.P for the role in Squid Game season 2, director Hwang Dong-hyuk considered rapper Swings.
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Known for his impactful presence in the Korean hip-hop scene, Swings (born Moon Ji-hoon) has been a prominent figure with a career spanning over a decade. In 2008, he debuted with the EP Upgrade. Subsequently, he dropped his debut full-length album, Growing Pains, in 2010. Other major albums in his credit include Levitate 2, Vintage Swings, Upgrade III, and more.
Despite his musical prowess, concerns about his acting experience led to the decision to cast T.O.P instead. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk said:
"I watched 'Show Me the Money' and there were a lot of guys with strange swagger. I gathered those characters and combined them. Also, I thought that if it's a character who uses drugs, it would be 'high'. The energy is in the other world. In that sense, I thought it couldn't be helped but be exaggerated."
Hwang Dong-hyuk continued that he strongly considered Choi Seung-hyun (T.O.P.) for the role and was a bit apprehensive about contacting the K-pop idol. He said:
"Originally, I auditioned. I tried to cast young guys, but I couldn't find them. I also thought about Swings, but I was worried that he wouldn't act well. Choi Seung-hyun (T.O.P) was on the casting list, but he hasn't been active for a long time, and I knew about the m*rijuana incident."
Former BIGBANG member T.O.P's old drug case resurfaces amid Squid Game 2's global release
In 2017, T.O.P was involved in a m*rijuana-related scandal, resulting in a 10-month prison sentence that was suspended for two years. At the time, he was serving as a conscripted police officer but was deemed unfit for further service and completed his mandatory duties as a public service worker. This incident led to significant public backlash and his eventual departure from BIGBANG.
Director Hwang Dong-hyuk addressed the backlash over T.O.P's casting, stating that the character of Thanos was not created specifically for him. Hwang mentioned that he wanted to showcase the problems young people face, such as Bitcoin and drugs, and considered other actors, including rapper Swings, for the role.
However, he ultimately chose T.O.P, acknowledging the courage it took for him to take on a role that mirrored his past controversies.
Meanwhile, set three years after the first season, Squid Game season 2 follows Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) as he re-enters the deadly games, this time with a mission to dismantle the organization from within. The narrative introduces new characters, including Hyun-ju, a transgender former Special Forces member, and delves deeper into the operations behind the games.
As the series progressed, it continued to showcase the unflinching portrayal of societal issues, moral complexities, and the human condition, solidifying its place as a cultural phenomenon in contemporary television.
Squid Game season 2 culminated in a failed coup led by Gi-hun, resulting in significant character deaths. Some of the surviving characters include Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), Hyun-ju (Park Sung-hoon), Jun-hee (Jo Yuri), and No-eul (Park Gyu-young), while others meet tragic ends, setting the stage for the concluding season.
The ensemble cast of Squid Game Season 2 features:
- Lee Jung-jae
- Lee Byung-hun
- Wi Ha-joon
- Im Si-wan
- Kang Ha-neul
- Lee Jin-wook
- Park Sung-hoon
- Yang Dong-geun
- Jo Yu-ri
- Kang Ae-shim
- Lee Seo-hwan
- Park Gyu-young
Following the cliffhanger ending of season 2, anticipation is high for the third and final season of Squid Game.
