Latest news with #T.O.P
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Squid Game' season 3 team attends TUDUM 2025: T.O.P makes stage comeback, Park Sung Hoon appears after porn parody controversy
The global Squid Game phenomenon had a big night at Netflix's TUDUM 2025 event, held at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles on May 31. As fans around the world eagerly awaited an update on the record-breaking K-drama, stars Lee Jung Jae and Lee Byung Hun took to the stage to deliver exactly that—and much more. After briefly introducing themselves, the two leads surprised the crowd by inviting more cast members to join them: Park Sung Hoon, Kang Ae Shim, and, most notably, T.O.P. Their appearance set the stage for the long-awaited reveal of the official trailer for Squid Game Season 3, the final chapter in the harrowing Korean survival saga. T.O.P makes first stage appearance since leaving BIGBANG T.O.P's appearance on the TUDUM stage marked a major turning point in his career. Greeting fans with a charismatic 'What's up, Netflix fans!' he stood in the spotlight for the first time since leaving the K-pop group BIGBANG in 2017. His exit followed a widely publicised drug scandal that caused him to step back from public life entirely. Squid Game season 2 marked his return to the spotlight. the way they chanting "T.O.P T.O.P" oh SEUNGHYUN you're really A SUPERSTAR it's crazy to me that this newer generation may only know him thanos but baby y'all don't understand, that is THE ONE AND ONLY T.O.P. standing before you rn i would die fr For years, T.O.P remained out of the entertainment scene, only occasionally surfacing through art-related projects. His casting in Squid Game's second season surprised fans and critics alike, sparking backlash across South Korea over his past controversies. However, creator Hwang Dong-hyu was confident about his choices, and backed the idol-actor publicly despite heavy criticism. His character, Thanos, won over the global audience with his hilarious antics and nonchalant nature in an otherwise grim setting. Now, his live appearance at TUDUM 2025 confirmed he's ready to take the big stage. Park Sung Hoon returns to spotlight after porn parody controversy SET! DUL! HANA! #TUDUM Actor Park Sung Hoon also made headlines for attending the event, following a controversy that erupted in December 2024. The actor came under fire after posting a parody image of Squid Game with adult content to his Instagram, just days after the tragic Jeju Air crash that left 179 dead, many of them K-pop fans returning from the Asia Artist Awards in Bangkok. The timing and nature of the post, shared during a national mourning period, sparked outrage among his longtime followers who had praised him for taking on a transgender character on the Netflix show. Although Park deleted the post and did not directly address it afterward, the backlash was significant. His appearance at TUDUM drew mixed reactions—some applauded his professionalism, while others questioned the decision to feature him so prominently. Squid Game season 3 trailer drops The centrepiece of the night was, without question, the dramatic trailer for Squid Game Season 3. Picking up after the brutal cliffhanger ending of Season 2, the new season sees Gi Hun (Lee Jung Jae), also known as Player 456, at his lowest point, reeling from betrayal, loss, and facing moral dilemma. But the game continues, and the stakes are higher than ever. Every game must come to an end. Squid Game. The final season. June 27. #TUDUM According to Netflix, in the third and final season, with each deadly round, the surviving players face increasingly impossible choices that test their morality and will to survive. Meanwhile, Front Man (Lee Byung Hun) resumes his chilling duties, hosting a new group of VIPs, while his brother, police officer Jun Ho, continues his dangerous search—unaware that a traitor walks among his allies. Squid Game season 3 will be released on June 27, 2025.
Hype Malaysia
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
Secret Idol: What We Know About The New K-pop Spy Film Under Lee Jung Jae's Studio
It seems more Korean-made movies are going global, thanks to exciting partnerships with international companies. Recently, news outlets revealed that a South Korean production studio led by 'Squid Game' star Lee Jung Jae (이정재) has partnered up with a UK-based production company to work on a K-pop spy film. Tentatively titled 'Secret Idol', the movie is about a spy who goes undercover as a K-pop idol trainee. The movie is still in its early stages, but there are already a few notable details about the project. Here's what we know about the film so far: It's A Collaboration Between Lee Jung Jae's Studio & A Top UK Production Company The upcoming movie is a collaboration between Artist Studio and Imaginarium Productions. The partnership includes the early stages of story development and coordinating production strategies. The two companies are currently discussing the movie's casting, global distribution and expansion of international production partnerships. Artist Studio, led by Lee Jung Jae, is the content production division of the actors' agency, Artist Group. Meanwhile, Imaginarium Productions was co-founded by actor-director Andy Serkis and producer Jonathan Cavendish. The company is known for its expertise in performance capture and tech-driven storytelling. Some of its current projects include a 'Lord Of The Rings' prequel. The Movie Revolves Around A Young Spy-Turned-Kpop Trainee According to news outlets, the live-action film blends the K-pop world with the teen spy action genre. The story follows a secret agent who infiltrates the K-pop industry by going undercover as a K-pop trainee. The character has to navigate fierce competition behind glamorous stages while taking on a global crime syndicate. Lee Jung Jae Might Also Sign On As Producer & Director There's no news on what Lee Jung Jae's role is in the movie besides his studio's involvement. However, there is a high chance that the star might sign on as the executive producer for the project and even the director. If true, this wouldn't be the first time Lee Jung Jae helmed a spy movie. The actor's directorial debut was the 2022 South Korean film, 'Hunt', which follows two National Intelligence Service (NIS) agents. Fans Want BTS Jin & T.O.P In The Cast Since the movie revolves around the K-pop industry, it's no surprise that fans want a K-pop star in the cast. Some commonly mentioned names in fans' casting include BTS Jin (진) and former Big Bang member T.O.P (Choi Seung Hyun/최승현). Interestingly, T.O.P has played an assassin in the 2009 hit Korean drama 'IRIS' and has co-starred with Lee Jung Jae in 'Squid Game', so he might be a top contender for the spy role. Since the project is in its planning stage, there's probably another year or two before 'Secret Idol' could see a premiere date. What are your thoughts on the movie so far? Sources: Allkpop, Chosun, Instagram What's your Reaction? +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0
Pink Villa
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Has Squid Game's Thanos aka T.O.P finally decided to 'move on' from past controversy?: 'Made mistakes in...'
Squid Game 2's T.O.P has long been away from the entertainment industry due to his past controversy regarding the use of m*rijuana. He is now back in the spotlight due to his role as Thanos in the hit survival drama Squid Game season 2. With his renewed fame, T.O.P decided to tackle his past head-on. During a May 29 interview, he openly addressed the issues that led to his departure from BIGBANG in 2023. T.O.P's rides on Squid Game 2 success Choi Seung Hyun, better known as ex-BIGBANG's T.O.P, staged a remarkable comeback with the Lee Jung Jae-starrer Squid Game 2, and has been basking in the spotlight of his renewed success. The drama, released on December 26, continues to generate buzz, and its cast members are enjoying a surge in popularity, particularly with the third installment set to drop soon. T.O.P's activities have also increased, thanks to his Squid Game 2 role. He played the morally ambiguous Thanos (Player 230), a washed-up rapper who lost everything to a cryptocurrency scam and resorted to d*ugs. T.O.P addresses past controversy During the interview, the actor revealed a personal connection to Thanos, as by playing the character, he was forced to confront past "mistakes". He mentioned requiring immense courage to portray a d*ug-addicted character on screen. However, with Director Hwang's trust and support, T.O.P gained the confidence to take up the role. Noting his experience, he said, "While creating this character Thanos, I could self-reflect about my past and I think I can finally move on to a new chapter of my life, so I learned a lot from this character." T.O.P's honest statements showcased his vulnerability and growth, highlighting the impact of his craft on his personal journey. He also received a lot of supporting comments from fans, who took to social media to share the clip. They made remarks like, "The fact that he's addressing it in a space such as this, in front of fans, really shows he's ready and wanting to move on and I'm so so proud of him." Next up, the actor-singer will be seen attending the promotional activities of season 3 of Squid Game in Los Angeles in late May.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Ex-BIGBANG's T.O.P admits past mistakes for first time through ‘failed drug addict' character: ‘I can finally move on with my life'
Ex-BIGBANG member T.O.P, who recently made his comeback to the spotlight with Netflix series Squid Game, may have shattered fans' hopes of a band reunion with his recent interview. The K-pop group went on an indefinite hiatus, having faced several controversies. T.O.P, aka Choi Seung Hyun, was at the peak of his stardom in his 20s and then came a big downfall that ruined his career. Back in 2016, the K-pop idol got embroiled in a drug scandal, and later, in 2017, he pleaded guilty. This led to a 10-month suspended jail sentence. He then eventually left BIGBANG and YG Entertainment. T.O.P hadn't spoken publicly or done interviews for over 11 years. But recently, during promotions for Squid Game 3 in Los Angeles, he decided to break his silence and admitted to his past mistakes for the first time. Also read: Squid Game S3 gets brutal with new poster: A baby born into hell tests how low humanity can sink Bouncing back in the spotlight with Squid Game Season 2 as a character named Thanos, T.O.P signed up for a role that mirrored his own challenges. Thanos is a failed rapper and drug user. His role instantly became a popular choice among Squid Game fans. 'I think Thanos is a character that I had to have a lot of talks with Director Hwang to create,' the rapper said when asked to describe his character at Netflix FYSEE LA. 'We had a lot of talks down to the most minute details of this character. He's not an amazing rapper, he's more like a failed soul, a failed young person who's reliant on drugs. I looked up what happens when someone's addicted to those kinds of strong drugs.' The rapper had earlier called his return to the group 'shameful,' claiming he had hurt the reputation of the members. However, for the first time, he admitted to spiralling into tough times driven by anxiety and mood swings, and he took a chance to include those elements in the character of Thanos. 'I have made my mistakes in the past, and I have to come face to face with those mistakes when I was playing this character. So, I needed to muster up a lot of courage to take on this role,' he said. After his probation ended, T.O.P managed to work with BIGBANG again, but he received backlash and cancellation calls in return. Since 2023, he disappeared from the public eye, only to make a controversial return that proved to be a hit, and now he wants to open a new chapter in his life. 'Director Hwang gave me so much trust that I could have the confidence to play this role. While creating this character, Thanos, I could self-reflect about my past, and I think I can finally move on to a new chapter of my life. I learned a lot from this character,' he added. Also read: Squid Game season 2 review: Netflix's biggest series returns, filled with twists but not as fast-paced as season one Squid Game 2 received major boycott calls in South Korea when the initial casting lineup was announced with T.O.P's name among K-drama stars like Im Si Wan, Park Gyu Young, Kang Ha Neul, Lee Jin Uk, Park Sung Hoon, Yang Dong Geun, Kang Ae Shim, Lee Da Wit, etc. Some debated that he should not be allowed back into the spotlight ever. In 2017, the K-pop idol was convicted of marijuana use, with records suggesting it happened on three occasions. He was also discharged from the military and largely stayed off social media as well. Squid Game director Hwang Dong Hyuk had to later step in to justify his casting, saying, 'The incident happened a long time ago, and the sentence was completed,' adding that he has seen many artists return to the spotlight after such incidents and that it might be an appropriate time for him to return to work.
Pink Villa
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Squid Game 2: Did Jo Yuri get paid 300 million KRW per episode for Netflix starrer? Fans debate if she deserves it
Jo Yuri, a former member of IZ*ONE, has made a name for herself in the acting world with her role in Squid Game 2. Her portrayal of a pregnant woman in the intense survival drama earned her critical acclaim. Given the massive global success of the show's first season, it's no surprise that the cast of the second installment would command high fees. However, rumors of Jo Yuri's alleged per-episode fee sparked online debate among fans, considering her relatively rookie status. Jo Yuri stepped in the acting scene a year after IZ*ONE's disbandment. She made her debut with the 2022 web drama, Mimicus. Just 3 years following that, her next project was the globally popular Netflix series Squid Game 2. Fans were curious as to how she landed the big role and what her fees might be. As per a recent post made in an online community, she received 300 million KRW (2,19,315.99 USD) per episode. Some fans felt that she didn't deserve the hefty paycheck as it was just her second acting gig, as reported by K-media Timetalk. They felt that Jo Yuri's existing fame as an idol helped her secure the role and compared her journey with seasoned actors who struggle for years to get similar opportunities. However, others rallied in support of her, saying she deserved the recognition and fee, citing her improvement as an actress. Notably, Jo Yuri faced her share of challenges. She revealed in a YouTube interview with Kkondaehee that she auditioned for around two roles per week and faced numerous rejections before landing the role in Squid Game. Regarding the fees, as per industry insiders, lead roles in major OTT series typically range from 100 million to 400 million KRW per episode. In that context, Jo Yuri's rumored fee of 300 million KRW doesn't seem out of the ordinary. Reportedly, her Squid Game 2 co-star, T.O.P, also received similar or slightly higher payment than her. Discussions regarding Jo Yuri's paycheck had been persistent since the second season aired back in December 2024. She was previously reported to have earned 4.2 billion KRW for her appearance in the series, but she humbly denied the news.
