“Just watching him walk into a scene seems unappealing.”
When blasted for casting ex BIG BANG member SUPERIOR as one of the world-famous “villains” of the second season Netflix show Squid gamedirector Hwang Dong Hyuk has come forward in defense of the idol-turned-actor.
The director assured viewers that TOP has been screened multiple times and has held its ground “this character and this work had to go to the TOP”
Former BIGBANG TOP’s appearance in “Squid Game 2” was shunned by audiences despite the director speaking out
We decided that we had no choice but to demonstrate to the viewers through the final result why this character and this work had to go to the TOP. That’s why we didn’t cancel it and continued to push it forward.
— Hwang Dong Hyuk
With the premiere of the second season, viewers searched for the reason for such a controversial casting and were deeply disappointed, according to several Korean media outlets.
Since the official release of the second season, reviews have questioned TOP’s acting on the show. MBC criticized the idol-turned-actor’s character “unbearable,” underlining that a “talented rookie” it should have been launched instead.
TOP is rapping here #SquidGame2 pic.twitter.com/lHQJhf6d0Y
— love G 🐉 übermensch (@deaashleyy) December 25, 2024
After watching the second season of Squid gameTOP’s screen time seems overly abundant, to the point of being unbearable. The fact that “Thanos” is a drug-using character overlaps with TOP’s real-life controversies, amplifying the unpleasantness of seeing him play such a character. His acting isn’t particularly impressive either. Instead, it feels awkward and creepy. Was it really necessary to cast someone with a criminal record for such a role? Even the character’s rap-heavy lines are difficult to understand. And, frankly, just watching him walk into a scene seems unappealing.
If a talented debut actor had been cast instead, they could have gained global recognition through this role and viewers would probably have felt less disappointed. Additionally, director Hwang Dong Hyuk would be praised for his eye for discovering new talent.
It’s unclear what TOP stands to gain from appearing in this project. His previous conviction for marijuana use has been brought back into the spotlight, his acting is receiving criticism, and his character isn’t one to garner sympathy.
– Reporter Kim Kyung Hee for MBC
Both GioiaNews AND News expressed utter confusion over the director’s decision to keep the TOP cast in the role.
this scene really distracted me. I can’t believe I’m still watching the Lee Byunghun x Choi Seunghyun battle in 2024 😭 I can even feel the resentment from 14 years ago still there 😭😅#ChoiSeunghyunForSquidGame #SquidGame2 pic.twitter.com/SF8SGo7e93
— pinoy (@puppiesbreads) December 26, 2024
Director Hwang said, “I believe viewers will understand that this decision was not an easy one and that TOP himself must have found it difficult to take on this role.”
However, after watching Squid game In season 2, viewers are left wondering instead: Why did Hwang feel the need to choose TOP, and what exactly was the courage the idol supposedly showed? Although the production team said they carefully vetted the casting, the result is a character that feels hollow due to a lack of acting ability, ultimately breaking the show’s immersion.
Why are viewers expected to understand or empathize with the difficulty TOP faced in accepting this project? The creators really believed it saying, “We checked it,’ AND ‘We deemed it suitable” Would viewers simply nod in agreement and move on? Or they assumed it because the Squid game series is aimed at a global audience, could Korean viewers’ disappointment be ignored? These are new questions that viewers now feel compelled to ask director Hwang Dong Hyuk.
— GioiaNews
In fact, Newsis even questioned whether the role of Thanos that T.O.P. got was him pulling the connections, commenting that otherwise, “The decision to choose TOP is difficult to understand.”
Thanos is the most annoying character in this drama! His death seemed justified because it was so infuriating. Plus, his constant use of English is really annoying! #SquidGame2 #SquidGame #SquidGameSeason2 pic.twitter.com/PxTr3Ud1w0
— Ta-da (@te3_tia) December 26, 2024
No matter how much Director Hwang denies it, the claim of TOP being cast with its connection is inevitable. Casting TOP—someone who has publicly clashed with fans on social media, declaring that he will not return to Korea and has not acted since 2014—in the most successful global project in K-Drama history seems inexplicable unless it is attributed to his close relationships with the main cast of Squid game.
Some argue that TOP still has a strong international fan base and could attract foreign viewers. It is compared to Jung Ho Yeon in the first season, whose acting seemed embarrassing to some Korean viewers but left a strong impression on global audiences who could not easily evaluate his Korean performance. However, considering the risks associated with TOP’s casting, it appears to be a decision that offers little benefit to the Squid Game franchise. In fact, due to the negative public opinion about TOP in Korea, Netflix has not included it in any official national or international promotional events.
One domestic content investment expert noted, “The Squid game the production team must have known that TOP doesn’t possess the kind of acting skills that can put controversies to rest in one fell swoop. They also had to know that a role requiring a rapper-turned-actor wasn’t essential to the story. The decision to choose TOP is difficult to understand.’
—Newsis
Amid the scathing reviews, viewers around the world are tuning in Squid game Season 2. Will the sequel and its new faces be able to surpass the glorious first season? Stay tuned for updates.
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