Former BigBang member T.O.P has returned to the limelight with his role in Netflix's "Squid Game 2," after navigating a tumultuous career marked by legal troubles and personal struggles. T.O.P, who debuted in 2006 with the iconic K-pop group BigBang, was sentenced to jail in 2017 for marijuana use, which subsequently led to his retirement from showbiz in February 2020. In a surprising turn of events, he has now made his comeback, portraying the character Thanos, a rapper embroiled in the deadly game of "Squid Game 2."
T.O.P's journey back to the entertainment industry has not been straightforward. He left BigBang in 2023 and initially hesitated to accept the role of Thanos due to concerns about being typecast. However, director Hwang Dong-hyuk's belief in him inspired T.O.P to embrace this "daunting proposition." He explained that the character of Thanos resonated with his past, presenting an opportunity for introspection and growth.
"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," – T.O.P
In preparation for the role, T.O.P researched the effects of potent drugs to authentically portray Thanos. This undertaking marked his first official interview since promoting the 2014 movie "Tazza: The Hidden Card." Reflecting on his past mistakes, T.O.P expressed regret for the harm caused to his loved ones and BigBang members, acknowledging the pain experienced during his dark period.
"At the time, I was going through a dark period and social media was the only means of communication I had. I deeply regret and feel ashamed of the words I foolishly said due to my lack of judgment," – T.O.P
"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." – T.O.P
During an interview with Sports Kyunghyang, T.O.P reflected on his decision to retire and subsequent return to acting. Despite contemplating quitting entirely, he recognized the enduring support from fans eager for his comeback.
"At that time, I was broken and didn't have the strength to get back up, so there were times when I thought about quitting everything," – T.O.P
"At the same time, it broke my heart to read the posts from fans waiting for my comeback. This pain is something only the person directly involved would know." – T.O.P
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