Former BIGBANG Member T.O.P Hints at Solo Comeback in 2025

T.O.P (최승현), a former member of the iconic K-pop group BIGBANG, has sparked excitement among fans with a recent comment on his Instagram. On the 29th, when a fan inquired about the release of 'Doom Dada 2.0,' T.O.P replied with a simple yet intriguing '2025.' 'Doom Dada' is a digital single he released as a solo artist back in 2013.

This response has led to speculation among netizens that T.O.P may be planning a return to the music scene next year. Last June, he also shared photos and videos on social media indicating he was working on new music.

T.O.P's journey has not been without controversy. In October 2016, he faced legal issues for violating drug laws after being caught smoking marijuana at his home in Yongsan, Seoul. He was sentenced to 10 months in prison, which was suspended for two years. His military service was affected as he was discharged from his position as a police officer due to this incident and completed his service as a social service worker. In February of last year, he ended his contract with YG Entertainment and officially left BIGBANG, announcing his retirement from the entertainment industry.

However, following the announcement of his participation in the Netflix original series 'Squid Game' Season 2, T.O.P faced criticism for reversing his retirement decision. Some speculated that his casting was due to his friendship with lead actor Lee Jung-jae. Lee Jung-jae's agency clarified that the casting decisions were solely in the hands of the director and production team, denying any involvement from the actor. This marks T.O.P's return to television after a seven-year hiatus since the Chinese drama 'Asang, Aeni' in 2017.

Despite the buzz, T.O.P was excluded from the press conference for 'Squid Game 2,' which is set to premiere on December 26 on Netflix. Additionally, he was notably absent from the second main poster released by Netflix on the 27th.

'Squid Game' Season 2 will follow Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) as he returns for revenge and participates in the deadly games once again, facing off against the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun).