On June 29, the producers of the South Korean series Squid Game (known as Trò Chơi Con Mực) announced several new faces for the upcoming second season. Among them, the most notable name capturing the audience’s attention is T.O.P, a former member of the K-pop group Big Bang.
T.O.P will join the cast of Squid Game 2 alongside renowned actors such as Lee Jung Jae, Lee Byung Hun, Im Si Wan, Kang Ha Neul, Park Gyu Young, and Park Sung Hoon. His participation has raised eyebrows among many fans in South Korea, as he is a K-pop idol who previously faced controversy due to substance abuse and has been involved in numerous scandals. Many fans speculate about the reasons for T.O.P’s return to acting, especially since he has not appeared in any films for several years.
T.O.P’s return has stirred significant attention among fans
Shortly after, Dispatch revealed the reason for T.O.P’s involvement in Squid Game 2, stating that it was due to the lead actor Lee Jung Jae’s recommendation. According to Dispatch, Lee Jung Jae and T.O.P are close friends in the South Korean entertainment industry, having built a strong bond over shared interests. They often meet to share experiences related to the Hong Kong arts scene and enjoy drinks at a restaurant owned by Im Se Ryung. It’s noted that in the past, after T.O.P’s substance abuse scandal, Lee Jung Jae sought to find a role for him that would “rescue” his close friend, though it did not come to fruition.
In addition to Lee Jung Jae’s recommendation, SBS News recently reported that due to the character’s requirements for a rapper and dancer, director Hwang Dong Hyuk decided to cast T.O.P in this role. T.O.P will appear in Squid Game 2 as a character who is described as a “legendary figure.”
T.O.P has been largely inactive in the acting scene since his substance abuse scandal in 2016, which led him to step back from the public eye. In 2018, he ended his contract with YG Entertainment. Recently, in May, T.O.P announced that he would be leaving Big Bang. The rapper had not acted in films for seven years, with his last appearance being in the 2016 film Out of Control (released in 2017).
