Former BIGBANG Member T.O.P to Speak in First Interview Since Drug Scandal

T.O.P (최승현), a former member of the iconic K-pop group BIGBANG, is set to participate in an interview regarding his role in the highly anticipated Netflix series Squid Game 2 (오징어 게임2) on January 15 in Seoul. This marks T.O.P's first interaction with the press since his involvement in a drug scandal, drawing significant public interest.

In February 2017, T.O.P enlisted in the military as a conscripted police officer. However, he faced legal issues when it was revealed that he had smoked marijuana at his home in 2016, resulting in a 10-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. Following this incident, he announced his departure from BIGBANG and retirement from the entertainment industry. The recent news of his casting in Squid Game 2 has reignited controversy, particularly surrounding allegations of favoritism in casting, involving fellow actors Lee Jung-jae (이정재) and Lee Byung-hun (이병헌), who are known to have a close relationship with T.O.P.

Director Hwang Dong-hyuk, along with Lee Jung-jae and Lee Byung-hun, has addressed these casting rumors during interviews and press conferences, but public sentiment remains skeptical. Additionally, T.O.P has faced criticism regarding his acting skills, further complicating his return to the spotlight. Given that he was previously excluded from major promotional events, anticipation is high for what he will say during this upcoming interview.

Squid Game 2, which premiered on December 26, continues the story of Gi-hun (이정재) as he seeks revenge and re-enters the deadly games, facing off against the Front Man (이병헌). T.O.P plays the character Thanos, a 'drug-addicted rapper' in the series.