“‘Squid Game 2’ Role as a Drug-Addicted Rapper: A Character That Felt Like Fate—Choi Seung-hyun Addresses Past Controversies and Harsh Criticism: ‘I’ll Accept It All’”
His lips trembled. Standing in front of reporters for the first time in 11 years, he struggled even to sit. Expressing deep regret for his past actions, T.O.P (Choi Seung-hyun), a former member of BIGBANG and now an actor, openly addressed controversies such as his departure from BIGBANG, retirement declaration, and criticism of his acting.
“I Didn’t Deny BIGBANG, but I Did Harm the Team.”
“I didn’t deny being part of BIGBANG. The truth is, I caused harm to BIGBANG and the company. I inflicted significant damage. For years, I told the agency and the members that I couldn’t stay in the group anymore because I didn’t want to hurt them further. If I were to return to the team, my mistakes would continue to follow the members as well. Reading fans’ posts about wanting a reunion broke my heart. Looking at photos of the members felt like seeing pictures of a family I’d lost. That’s why I made the choice to leave. It was reckless, I admit, but it wasn’t because I was denying BIGBANG.”
In an interview with Sports Kyunghyang on January 15 in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, Choi Seung-hyun answered every sharp question posed by the press.
“I Announced My Retirement on Social Media—It Was Immature and Regretful.”
In 2016, Choi was sentenced to 10 months in prison (with a two-year suspended sentence) for smoking marijuana at his home. Following this, he ceased all activities. Later, he engaged in a heated exchange with netizens criticizing his actions, declaring that he had “no intention of making a comeback in Korea.” He eventually left BIGBANG and announced his retirement. However, his casting in Netflix’s Squid Game Season 2 has reignited debates over his supposed retirement.
“I think I caused enormous pain to my loved ones and family because of my mistakes. I experienced tremendous fame and undeserved love in my 20s, but the process of my fall was uncharted territory for me. I went through dark times. I was utterly broken and had no strength to rise again, so I thought about quitting everything. In the midst of that, I’d read messages from fans waiting for my return, and it broke my heart. Since my only way of communicating was through social media, I impulsively and foolishly said I was retiring. I regret it deeply and feel ashamed. At the time, I wasn’t in my right mind.”
Did He See ‘Squid Game’ as a Chance to Revive His Career?
“No. In fact, the sheer popularity of Squid Game made me hesitant. It felt like a heavy burden, and I wrestled with the decision. The role I was offered, a drug-addicted rapper, also made me confront my shameful past, which gave me pause. However, I eventually felt that this character might be destined for me. During the 10 years when no one paid attention to me, Director Hwang Dong-hyuk was the only one to reach out and offer me a hand. His courage and faith in me gave me the strength to take this step.”
Choi Seung-hyun’s journey is marked by personal mistakes and public scrutiny. As he embraces this new chapter in his career, he aims to rebuild his life and become what he calls “a solid, upright young man, free of negative headlines.”
“Did Lee Jung-jae and Lee Byung-hun Influence My Casting? Absolutely Not… I Feel Embarrassed.”
There have been rumors suggesting that T.O.P’s (Choi Seung-hyun) casting in Squid Game Season 2 was influenced by his connections with Lee Jung-jae and Lee Byung-hun, two of Korea’s most prominent actors and his former acquaintances.
“That is absolutely not true. I feel deeply embarrassed that the names of such senior actors are being mentioned in this context. When my casting stirred so much controversy, I was overwhelmed and even considered stepping down. But I had spent time with the director and production team developing the character of ‘Thanos.’ I realized that the right thing to do was to honor the trust and belief they had placed in me.”
On Acting Criticism: “I’ll Humbly Accept It.”
Regarding the criticism of his acting skills, Choi responded with humility:
“I believe it’s important to accept such criticism with humility. I’ve been monitoring both positive and negative feedback, both domestically and internationally, and I’m using it as a learning experience to improve. I’m working hard to grow from it.”
A Strong Determination to Move Forward
Choi expressed a strong resolve to continue his career and avoid future controversies.
“I know it might sound reckless to say this, but I want to promise that I won’t cause any more issues. This interview is an opportunity for me to speak honestly. During difficult times, music was my only source of healing. I’ve created a lot of songs over the years, and I hope to share them with the fans I’ve hurt. I feel it’s my responsibility to provide them with some comfort.”
“I Want to Be an Ordinary, Upstanding Man.”
When asked about the kind of person he wants to become, now that he is in his mid-30s, Choi said he longs for normalcy.
“My 30s have been a lost time for me. I’ve spent those years reflecting deeply in shame, but creating music has been a source of healing. I hope to share that music with my fans. More than anything, I want to live as a normal, upright young man in Korea. My goal is to wake up in the morning without seeing negative headlines about myself in the news and to live each day without anxiety. I want to become a stable and trustworthy version of myself.”
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