T.O.P talks about past mistakes and 'Squid Game 2' controversy

Squid Game 2 controversies

T.O.P explained how he got cast on Squid Game, saying he received an offer to audition through a production company. Initially, he had doubts about playing the role of Thanos, a drug addict rapper, because he was afraid people would associate his character with his past mistakes.

"I had a lot of concerns when I saw the character of Thanos. It was because of my past mistakes and the parts where I had to confront my own shame. I worried a lot, thinking that my image might become permanently associated with this," he said, referring to his past when he was jailed for his marijuana use.

"But somehow, I felt that being given such a role, almost like it was fate, might have a deeper meaning. So, I filmed an audition video and sent it to the production company. The director liked it and arranged a meeting with me," he added.

However, the controversy surrounding his casting extended beyond his past. Accusations of nepotism arose, with some critics suggesting his involvement was facilitated by his connections to fellow Squid Game stars Lee Byung-hun and Lee Jae. Both actors denied these rumors, publicly stating they had no influence on the casting decision.

“Rather than feeling wronged, I was more sad by the thought that I might be causing harm to such a big and remarkable project. I also felt incredibly apologetic to the senior actors who were misunderstood because of me,” he said.

That didn't stop there. T.O.P's portrayal of Thanos received a mixed response, with critics calling his acting cringeworthy, while others saying Thanos was one of the highlights of the series.

"I accept all opinions humbly because evaluating acting is the audience’s right," he said, stating that his "cringeworthy" behavior was intentional.

"If Thanos were a cool rapper, he wouldn’t have participated in this kind of game, nor would he have become a hip-hop loser reliant on drugs. The exaggerated gestures and ridiculous raps were all part of the concept," he said.

On leaving BIGBANG, his 'retirement'

In February 2020, T.O.P shared an SNS live broadcast, saying, "I won't be coming back to Korea and I won't make a comeback (to the entertainment industry) at all." Three years later, he officially left BIGBANG. He admitted that he was the one who "caused harm to BIGBANG, the group that brought me my brightest days."

Talking about his co-members, the former idol said he hasn't been in touch with them due to his "immense guilt."

"Maybe when more time has passed and I find peace, I’ll be able to contact them."

When Squid Game 2 was announced, fans expressed confusion over his decision to return after announcing his retirement. T.O.P said that his 20s was a "dark time" and that he "wanted to quit everything" after experiencing downfall for the first time.

But he said director Hwang Dong-hyeok was the one who encouraged him, sharing, "For almost 10 years, I felt no one looked at me, but director Hwang Dong-hyuk reached out to me first. The trust (and) the belief he had in me gave me the courage to take this on. As an actor, it is my duty to repay the trust. Excelling in my performance is another assignment in my life."

As he nears 40, the 37-year-old actor said he wishes a "stable and less dramatic life."

He added, "I want to reach a point where I can wake up without being bombarded by negative news and feel more at peace."