Ex-bigbang star T.O.P. reflects on past mistakes, says 'Squid Game 2' helped him heal and restart life
Choi Seung-Hyun better known as T.O.P. has finally opened up about his troubled past and long absence from the public eye. The former 'BIGBANG' rapper, who recently made a much-talked-about return to screens with 'Squid Game' Season 2, addressed fans for the first time about his previous mistakes including his well-known drug scandal.
At a recent fan event in Los Angeles, T.O.P. revealed that playing the character Thanos in OTT hit survival drama helped him reflect deeply on his personal history. According to News18, the K-pop star said, 'I've made serious mistakes and facing those while preparing for this role took a lot of courage. But Director Hwang believed in me and that gave me the confidence to dive into this character.'
A role that mirrors pain and redemption
T.O.P.'s
character, Thanos or Player 230 in 'Squid Game 2,' is a failed rapper with a chaotic personality and a past riddled with drug addiction. It's a character that closely mirrors T.O.P.'s own public journey, an artistic soul weighed down by his own inner demons. The actor noted that Thanos wasn't meant to be a glamorous figure but rather a troubled young man clinging to drugs to escape his emotional struggles.
He shared how he had lengthy creative discussions with director Hwang Dong-hyuk to shape Thanos's personality down to his mood swings, failed ambitions and unpredictable behaviour.
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'I researched what drug dependence feels like what kind of anxiety it causes, and I tried to inject those emotions into Thanos,' T.O.P. explained.
From public backlash to fan favorite
Back in 2017, T.O.P. was sentenced to 10 months in prison with a two-year suspension for marijuana use, a crime that resulted in his withdrawal from BIGBANG and a public declaration that he would never return to entertainment. So when his casting in 'Squid Game 2'nwas announced, it sparked major online backlash and debates over whether he deserved a comeback.
But once the show aired, his performance as the darkly comic and violently unpredictable Thanos won over audiences. The role not only reignited his fan base but also marked a turning point in his personal journey. 'This character helped me grow and reflect. I believe I'm ready to move on and begin a new chapter,' he said at the event as reported by News18.
T.O.P.'s comeback is not just about returning to fame but it's about reclaiming himself from his past. And for many fans, that's a story worth rooting for.
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