After an 11-year hiatus from interviews, Choi Seung-hyun—formerly T.O.P of BIGBANG—spoke to The Korea Times on Wednesday about his journey, controversies, and his role in Squid Game Season 2.
Despite the global success of Netflix’s Korean series, which topped charts for weeks after its release, Choi has faced intense scrutiny. His past controversies, including marijuana use during military service, his departure from BIGBANG, and reactions to his performance in Squid Game Season 2, have kept him in the public eye.
In the series, Choi plays Thanos, a rapper whose life spirals out of control due to drug abuse and failed cryptocurrency investments, leaving him mired in debt.
For Choi, this role was deeply personal.
“The offer to play Thanos was a daunting proposition. The character mirrored my past, reflecting aspects I’d rather keep hidden. The fear of being pigeonholed into one role made me hesitate. But destiny seemed to be pulling me in this direction,” he revealed, referencing his troubled history, including his 2017 sentence for repeated marijuana use.
Unlike many of his co-stars who promoted the series globally, the 37-year-old kept a low profile until this interview. It marked his first public discussion since promoting the 2014 film Tazza: The Hidden Card.
“For almost 10 years, I felt no one looked at me, but director Hwang Dong-hyuk reached out to me first. The trust and belief he had in me gave me the courage to take this on. As an actor, it is my duty to repay that trust. Excelling in my performance is another assignment in my life,” he said.
Diving Deep into Thanos’ Complexity
To prepare for the role, Choi delved into the character’s struggles, focusing on his reliance on drugs.
“The drug that Thanos uses in the series is extremely potent, so I researched the effects of such substances while developing the character,” he explained.
He discovered how strong drug dependencies impact individuals, noting symptoms like severe dental damage, heightened anxiety, and ADHD-like behavior when off the drug. Choi sought to reflect these nuances in his portrayal.
“I tried to act differently in scenes where Thanos had not yet used the drug versus those where he had,” he shared. He also paid attention to physical details, portraying Thanos with damaged teeth and an unconventional rhythm.
“There’s a type of rap style in southern U.S. hip-hop called ‘mumble rap,’ often associated with rappers who use powerful stimulants. I tried to channel that in the way Thanos delivers his lines,” he added.
From BIGBANG Stardom to Isolation
Debuting with BIGBANG in 2006, Choi and his group became global icons with hits like “Lies,” “Haru Haru,” and “Bang Bang Bang.” Despite their success, controversies and scandals led to the departure of member Seungri in 2019 and T.O.P’s own exit in 2023.
In 2020, Choi stunned fans during a live broadcast by announcing his retirement. “I won’t be coming back to Korea and I won’t make a comeback [to the entertainment industry] at all,” he declared.
However, his casting in Squid Game surprised many and sparked speculation about his reasons for returning. Reflecting on his decision, Choi described his 30s as a time of shame, self-loathing, and introspection.
“For the past seven years, I have lived almost isolated from society, spending most of my time at home and in my music studio,” he shared. “Music was the only place where I could breathe, when I was composing music and standing in front of the microphone. I think I made music to survive.”
During this period, he wrote numerous songs as a way to confront his inner struggles. “I wanted to heal myself through music, and I want to share that music with my fans in some way,” he added.
Looking Toward the Future
As he approaches his 40s, Choi hopes to leave his tumultuous years behind.
“My primary goal is to establish a stable and less dramatic life,” he said.
He expressed a desire to live a more ordinary life, free of constant negative headlines.
“I want to reach a point where I can wake up without being bombarded by negative news and feel more at peace,” he concluded.
After a challenging journey, Choi Seung-hyun’s reemergence as both an actor and artist offers a story of resilience and transformation, both on-screen and off.