Choi Seung-hyun previously known by stage name T.O.P from K-Pop band BIGBANG returned as an actor in Squid Game season 2 as a character called Thanos which occurred after his long hiatus following legal issues stemming from marijuana charges back in 2017. Choi received a 10-month jail sentence plus two years suspension of his mandatory military duty that caused industry wide blacklisting in South Korea. Thanos a former rapper and new character in Squid Game provides a complex role of someone who is trying to deal with previous drug habits while facing challenges of life and death games.
Director Hwang Dong-hyuk's Decisive Choice in Casting T.O.P for Complex "Thanos" Character
Squid Game director Hwang Dong-hyuk revealed in PEOPLE interview the intentional casting decision of the controversial actor due to a specific complexity in the role as he was greatly impressed by the performance shown throughout series. Hwang acknowledged Choi’s nine year absence from Korean projects due to marijuana use along with his current role within the show depicting character a rapper involved with drug use. Hwang also pointed to a need for courage by the actor when approaching the role due to some personal similarities with negative issues regarding the specific character role, thus proving the challenge this role posed for Choi.
T.O.P Expresses Public Apologies and Faces Hospitalization after 2017 Drug Scandal
Following his indictment on June 5 2017 Choi offered a written apology to his many fans across all entertainment platforms of YG Entertainment's website for disappointing his fans members his family his agency as well as the public by using illegal substances that was against the law in South Korea. The outlet from Korea Herald shared this public written message expressing his remorse over the entire affair. One day after indictment Choi was found unconscious due to prescribed tranquilizers overdose while performing his duties as police officer in Seoul for military service with YG Entertainment providing medical updates as well at that time.
Choi provided an additional apology addressing all his actions at a press conference during his official sentencing in July 2017. Choi expressed his intent to return to previous successes as an artist as well as being cognizant of lessons learned to avoid reoffending. Season 2 of Squid Game available for viewing now via Netflix streaming services as a premium feature and allows users to experience the complete show with its various dramatic moments.
'Squid Game' Season 2 Expands Plotlines Adding New Characters and Complexities Along the Way
Squid Game finally launched it's second season after three long years that brought with it various plot changes including Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) determination to dismantle the game itself and an exploration of his internal battle. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk was very selective during casting new cast members including A-list actors as many of the performers from season one grew into global stars over time such as Lee Jung-jae and Lee Byun-hun. The ensemble team features several Korean actors theatre icons plus both former and current K-pop stars who are famous across different entertainment and arts industries in Korea as a whole. Season 2 of Squid Game premiered on December 26th 2024 via Netflix.
Key Characters Return: Lee Jung-jae Lee Byun-hun and New Roles Show Thematic Continuity
Lee Jung-jae returns as Gi-hun in season 2 also known as the winner of the original games. His overall role is an effort to find out and hold accountable all people that run deadly organization along with Lee Byun-hun as the returning villain in a mask who has similar motives to Gi-hun showing different view points of similar plot points. Lee Jung-jae had won Primetime Emmy Award Screen Actors Guild Award plus a Critics’ Choice Award because of his performance as Gi-hun in Season One along with work on Star Wars series The Acolyte plus a Korean movie Revolver demonstrating diversity as an actor. Lee hopes the fans will resonate with storylines for Squid Game Season 2 while feeling some type of emotional depth with characters.
Lee Byun-hun known as the Front Man returns again as the villain of this new game aiming for more human aspects in his performance than a previous version of the characters original intent. Lee’s resume also includes several prominent Hollywood productions such as Terminator Genisys Red 2 as well as various G.I. Joe films as a demonstration of international success . Wi Ha-jun as detective Jun-ho is another main star in season 2 that returns working through trauma from the prior events after being shot by his brother the Front Man in order to find out the answers of the games he played and witnessed. Wi Ha-jun also is seen in series Little Women and The Worst of Evil adding diversity to his performances before appearing in Squid Game.
Squid Game Newcomers Explore Diverse Characters: From Debtors to Family Members During The Games
Lee Seo-hwan makes another appearance after minor cameos in Season 1 also known for appearances in popular K-dramas also shows himself to be a unique addition within new series by performing role of Jung-bae a gambling friend to Gi-hun whose story has added complexities now that has joined the game again.. Yong-sik also joins the game as an indebted gambler while his mother Geum-ja a protective character also entered the game giving added conflict through family ties that creates complex plot dynamic that viewers follow in show. YDG also known as a hip-hop artist enters series bringing the same intensity that also helped him get starring role in Lin-Manuel Miranda's production called In the Heights while Kang also enters series by performing powerful musical theater work on screen .
The show's Player 388 Dae-ho is another main character who brings high-spirited moments during show despite some major problems according to series star Kang. Kang has credits within television and films throughout South Korean film industry that allowed opportunity to show his charismatic and upbeat character during this series which made his persona enjoyable for other actors throughout the performance of each scene. Actor Choi Seung-hyun a.k.a T.O.P also performs as Thanos as mentioned who is an ex-rapper also with issues of debt and dependency that forces him to be on show for financial reasons as seen when confronting ex You-tuber Myung-gi known also as MG Coin.. Many other complex performances can be seen by viewers within this popular Netflix production.
Thanos as a Representation of Audience Frustration; The Character’s Design Throughout Series
Squid Game’s Season Two brought in character Thanos portrayed by Choi Seung-hyun as rapper also known as T.O.P that lost all funds due to Myung-gi’s crypto suggestions. Many see Thanos a manifestation of what frustrations fans often experience when playing through the new game challenges of season 2 during a reintroduction of former gameplay challenges . Thanos character acts in a frustrating way with his excessive self-confidence and overall cruel treatment towards others that viewers often dislike making him compelling even through his issues and problems. Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk mentioned that “Thanos character took a lot of courage due to many personal negative aspects of role”.
T.O.P's Performance and Potential Future Within 'Squid Game'
T.O.P former singer from BIGBANG is known throughout the Asian entertainment industries with over 18 million followers on social media also has been in projects like Iris where he performed alongside Lee Byung-hun who is also featured in show known as the "Front Man." T.O.P's prior experience includes time spent during his mandatory military service along with marijuana possession charge in 2017 that caused his blacklisting in South Korea until now . Director Hwang Dong-hyuk is satisfied with T.O.P’s overall acting in series making the performance as well as the overall return impactful within series however it is unlikely his character will be part of any plans for Squid Game's Season 3. Laura Sirikul a freelance entertainment journalist has written a detailed synopsis in addition to other journalist that may be used for future research needs.