Choi Seung-hyun or T.O.P as Choi Su-bong or “Thanos” in “Squid Game” season 2. Image: Courtesy of Netflix Korea, Instagram
Choi Seung-hyun, formerly known as rapper T.O.P, from K-pop juggernaut BigBang, marked his return to the screen after an 11-year hiatus in season two of “Squid Game.”
The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) shed 0.49 percent, or 36.67 points, to close at 7,400.33.
Previously embroiled in a scandal following a conviction for marijuana use that led to a 10-month suspended jail sentence in 2017, Choi’s journey back to the limelight may be a tale of self-reflection.
Article continues after this advertisementIn the newest season of “Squid Game,” Choi portrays Thanos, a failed rapper addicted to drugs who enters the deadly games to escape crippling debt. A character at once selfish and absurd, Thanos delivers a kaleidoscope of exaggerated emotions and awkward bravado, a performance that has sparked both intrigue and polarized reactions.
FEATURED STORIES ENTERTAINMENT Angel Locsin breaks social media hiatus after recovering X account ENTERTAINMENT MMFF 2024: ‘And the Breadwinner Is,’ ‘Green Bones’ top box office ENTERTAINMENT Regine Velasquez 'disappointed' SB19 Stell’s concert guesting won't push throughDuring a group interview on Wednesday, January 15, Choi opened up with emotional gravity befitting his first public conversation in over a decade.
“Since it’s my first interview in 11 years, a lot has happened, and I came here with careful consideration, thinking it was the right time. I feel a mix of emotions, including a sense of apology, but today, I sincerely want to share many honest thoughts in this space,” he said.
Article continues after this advertisementReflecting on the turbulent years since his departure from the public eye, Choi spoke about his personal struggles.
Article continues after this advertisement“In my 20s, I made huge mistakes, and the dark times I faced then led me down a path I had never been on before. What followed was a truly hellish period of darkness, during which I became emotionally devastated,” he said. “I experienced profound psychological deterioration and intense self-loathing.”
Article continues after this advertisementIt was during these times of desolation that the opportunity to audition for “Squid Game” emerged.
“Then I received an offer to audition for the role of Thanos. Like any other actor, I recorded a video and sent it in. After meeting with the director and going through several rounds of cross-checks, I was cast,” he recounted.
Article continues after this advertisement“If it hadn’t been Thanos, I wouldn’t have taken on the role. It was an extremely difficult decision for me, given my past mistakes. But Thanos was a character I had to confront head-on — not a righteous figure, but a stereotypically failed, pathetic hip-hop loser. That aspect gave me the courage to step forward.”
Stepping into the shoes of a character like Thanos proved a formidable psychological challenge, he said.
“The film set had hundreds of actors and crew members present. When we shot the scene where Thanos takes drugs, I found myself in a very embarrassing situation, which was quite psychologically challenging for me,” said Choi.
“However, I believed it was my responsibility to overcome this as part of my role, and that determination was what kept me going,” he explained.
Critics have been divided on Choi’s portrayal of Thanos, with some viewers describing the performance as overtly exaggerated and unnatural — a critique that T.O.P readily embraced. “Acting and characters are things that can draw mixed reactions and can be highly subjective, and they are elements that audiences may criticize, and I believe enduring such criticism is something I must accept,” he said.
The concept behind Thanos, as Choi elaborated, was the essence of failure personified.
“He’s portrayed as a failed member of the ‘MZ’ generation, full of cringeworthy behavior and over-the-top bravado, like a teenager stuck in a phase of childish delusions of grandeur,” he said.
“He’s a character whose body has grown, but his mental age is almost like that of Shin-chan,” he said, referring to the five-year-old main character of Japanese manga series “Crayon Shin-chan.”
Choi Seung-hyun or T.O.P. Image: The Seed via The Korea Herald
Going forward, as for any speculation about a return to BigBang, Choi quashed the idea.
“Regarding moving forward on my own, I felt that if I faced criticism and backlash, it was something I could endure alone. However, as long as I remained part of BigBang, the guilt could not be erased, and I believed I could no longer let the team suffer because of me,” he said.
“The reason I cannot return is, honestly, because I feel too ashamed to face the other members.”
Nevertheless, Choi hinted at a possible return to music as a solo artist.
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
“For the past 10 years, I’ve only been going back and forth between my home and my music studio. The reason I stayed in the studio was that creating music was the only time I felt like I could escape the darkness,” he shared.
“I made a lot of songs. There’s no exact release plan yetbetfil, but I do have something in mind for the near future,” he added.
READ NEXT Pia Wurtzbach among 2024’s most visible fashion influencers Brad Pitt isn’t messaging you, rep warns, after adoring ... EDITORS' PICK PH consulate offers emergency services to Filipinos affected by LA fires Vatican AI laws: A Catholic approach to tech regulation Quezon City joins the world’s Resilient Cities Network 10 key moments in the Israel-Hamas war Project ARTE leads the way in rehabilitating women PDLs Thousands across Gaza celebrate ceasefire deal MOST READ Mall guard sacked for destroying young girl’s sampaguita for sale INQToday: Marcos stance on Duterte impeachment ‘unchanged’ amid Enrile’s remarks Darryl Yap’s motion to consolidate 'Pepsi Paloma' cases filed by Vic Sotto denied MMFF 2024: ‘And the Breadwinner Is,’ ‘Green Bones’ top box office Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View comments
