On January 15, TOP sat down for an interview with My Daily at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, to discuss his role in the Netflix series “Squid Game 2” and share his thoughts on various topics.
The role of TOP in Squid Game 2: an eccentric and problematic rapper
“Squid Game 2” chronicles the intense battle between Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), who returns to the game seeking revenge, and the Frontman (Lee Byung-hun), as well as the reboot of the actual game. In the series, T.O.P plays Thanos, a retired “troubled rapper”.
People compared Thanos’ opening lyrics, “Red, orange, yellow, green,” to T.O.P.’s part in BIGBANG’s “Last Dance” and spread rumors that Thanos would dance to Taeyang’s “Ringa Linga” during the game “Ring Around the Rosie”. TOP clarified, “I’ve seen the discussions about it. The dance I performed in ‘Ring Around the Rosie’ was not inspired by BIGBANG but by traditional American cowboy dance steps.
As for Thanos, he added, “I think Thanos’ mental age is on par with Shin-chan. I designed the text, “Red, Orange, Yellow, Green,” to be intuitive, silly, and a little awkward to fit his character. Squid Game 2 is suitable for ages 19 and up, but since shorts can reach a younger audience, I wanted the “quirky rap” to be easy for elementary school kids to follow. People say it’s similar to the “Last Dance” rap, but I wrote that rap too, so it’s not something I intentionally linked.
Reflecting on BIGBANG and the decision to leave
On this day, TOP also talked about his departure from BIGBANG for the first time. He revealed, “I felt like I was the one who caused significant harm to BIGBANG. After much thought, I concluded that I could not continue to burden the team.
He added, “To be specific, after completing my alternative military service, I told my agency and team that I planned to leave. It was a decision taken a long time. I was at my lowest. Around the time my contract expired, I decided to leave BIGBANG after our “Still Life” project. He continued, “I don’t think I could go back now. I am willing to take all the blame and criticism for my mistakes as I move forward as a solo artist. I can’t risk damaging the team again.”
After leaving BIGBANG, TOP blocked fan accounts on social media that mentioned him as a member of the group, which some saw as an emotional reaction. He addressed this, saying: “Watching fans still hope for a reunion is like giving them false hope, which was heartbreaking and painful for me. Looking at old group photos is like revisiting a broken family: no one feels that pain more deeply than the person involved.
Regarding his relationship with the other members, TOP said: “I will carry this guilt for the rest of my life. I still feel so much remorse that I can’t get in touch.” When asked if he saw G-Dragon, Taeyang and Daesung perform together at the 2024 MAMA Awards, he replied: “Of course I did. They were fantastic. I will always root for their success.”
Life beyond BIGBANG and the search for stability
TOP also reflected on the 7-8 years he spent on a hiatus before joining Squid Game 2. “I cut myself off from social life and spent my time between home and my music studio. Creating music was the only thing that gave me a sense of relief. I didn’t have a specific goal: I simply felt alive when I was in the studio. Whether I’m TOP at making music or acting Choi Seung-hyun, it’s all about me.”
TOP currently describes itself as “much more stable”. He shared, “I am trying my best to stay healthy and hope to live a stable life as an honest person.” He also mentioned the possibility of having a team to help him with his projects, although he remains cautious about calling it an official agency.
TOP also spoke about the canceled “DearMoon” lunar mission he had been part of, saying he had clear and genuine reasons for joining the ambitious project. He shared, “I had prepared for a long time and I was honored to pass all the tests. What attracted me to the project was the idea of creating music inspired by the moon and sharing it with people – it seemed like a beautiful fairy tale. I started with pure intentions. More than going to the Moon, I wanted to see Earth on the way back.”
He added, “During my reflection period, I struggled with intense self-loathing and spent too much time hating myself. From space I hoped to see the Earth and realize how insignificant I am: a mere speck of dust. I wanted a new perspective and the chance to change.”
