The Ultimate Figure Who Helped BIGBANG’s T.O.P Overcome His Darkest Period

T.O.P (Choi Seung-hyun), former member of BIGBANG and now an actor, has stepped into the public eye for the first time in 11 years. In a rare interview on January 15, held in Jongno-gu, Seoul, T.O.P revealed, “This is my first interview in over a decade. I carefully considered the timing and finally mustered the courage to do this.”

T.O.P’s involvement in Squid Game Season 2 has been a hot topic since the announcement of his casting. Reflecting on the public reaction, he shared, “I felt like my presence in such a monumental project was causing harm. I even thought about stepping down, but the director gave me the confidence to move forward. As an actor, the best way to repay that trust is to carry out my role with responsibility and dedication.”

A Serendipitous Opportunity to Audition for Squid Game 2’s Thanos

It was during this period of isolation that the opportunity to audition for Squid Game presented itself.

“I was invited to audition for the role of Thanos,” T.O.P shared. “Like any other actor, I submitted a video audition. After several rounds of evaluations and discussions with the director, I was cast.”

He continued, “If it hadn’t been for the character of Thanos, I might not have taken the role. It was a deeply challenging decision for me, considering my past mistakes. But Thanos was a character I felt I needed to face head-on—not a hero, but a failed, almost pitiable stereotype of a washed-up hip-hop artist. That raw vulnerability gave me the courage to step into the role.”

Blocking Fans on Social Media

T.O.P also addressed a controversy from last year when he blocked fans who tagged him in photos celebrating BIGBANG’s 18th debut anniversary. He explained, “Seeing those group photos was painful for me. It wasn’t out of resentment toward BIGBANG. The members are like family to me—we shared our brightest years together. But looking at those pictures felt unbearable in a way only I can understand.”

When asked about the possibility of reuniting with the group, he was candid: “I left the group out of guilt and didn’t want to give fans false hope. I prefer certainty, and I don’t want to string fans along.”

A Stronger, Healthier T.O.P

T.O.P expressed his desire to show a healthier and more stable version of himself: “I’ve grown stronger mentally compared to the past. I came to this interview to demonstrate that I’m living a more grounded life now. Moving forward, I’m committed to living responsibly and honestly.”

As T.O.P breaks his 11-year silence and shares his truth, all eyes are on his next steps—both as an actor in Squid Game 2 and as an individual reclaiming his space in the spotlight.