In “Squid Game” the rapper TOP plays a character who is not entirely dissimilar to himself.
The second season of the Netflix series “Squid Game” not only has a new, captivating plot, but also ensures a remarkable comeback: The South Korean rapper TOP, real name Choi Seung-hyun, was able to take on the role of Thanos bring the conversation back into conversation after a longer, involuntary break. The former member of the famous K-pop group BIGBANG can at least somewhat shake off his image as a scandalous figure.
In the second season of “Squid Game,” TOP takes on the role of Thanos, a fallen music star with striking purple hair whose life is marked by drug problems and personal tragedy. A bold choice because the parallels to TOP’s own past are obvious.
In 2017, he was convicted in South Korea of marijuana use – a serious offense in a country with strict drug laws. After the scandal, he withdrew from public life and also lost his lucrative advertising deals. With this role he seems to not only want to prove his acting talent, but also open a new chapter in his career.
Hwang Dong-hyuk, the creator of “Squid Game,” expressed excitement about TOP’s involvement. “It takes courage to play a character so close to your own experiences,” he explained. He praised the rapper’s authentic and powerful performance, which gave the series additional depth. Apparently TOP even wanted to forego his fee because he really wanted the role.
“Squid Game” season two: Spoiler alert
The new season picks up three years after the events of the first. Lee Jung-jae returns as Seong Gi-hun, this time determined to destroy the deadly games from within to save lives. In addition to the familiar faces, a number of new characters enrich the plot. The series has been available on Netflix since December 26, 2024 and has already set another streaming record.
The second season reached over 68 million views in the first four days of release – a new record for the most-watched Netflix series in the first week. This success surpasses the previous mark of 50.1 million views that “Wednesday” reached in November 2022.