On the morning of January 14, the TOP actor sat down for an interview at a cafe in Sogyeok-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul to discuss his role in the Netflix original series “Squid Game 2.”
Rumors claimed that TOP’s inclusion in “Squid Game 2″ was due to the recommendations of Lee Jung-jae and Lee Byung-hun, sparking a wave of negative reactions. Both senior actors have denied the allegations.”Casting is out of the actor’s jurisdiction,” and director Hwang Dong-hyuk noting that TOP’s casting came after recognizing his potential through multiple auditions.
The announcement of TOP’s role reignited criticism over his past legal troubles and his controversial statements about retiring from the Korean entertainment industry. After the show’s release, discussions about his performance further fueled the debate.
In this regard, TOP clarified: “The casting process involved auditions and was not influenced by recommendations from senior actors. I felt deeply sorry that their names were dragged into the controversy and it left me emotionally overwhelmed. I even considered leaving the role. However, I believed it was my duty to repay the trust director Hwang Dong-hyuk showed in me during the character design process with him..”
Regarding his interactions with Lee Jung-jae and Lee Byung-hun during filming, TOP noted, “There was nothing particularly special. Everyone was so focused on their roles due to the large cast and busy schedule. We all supported each other and worked together to bring the story to life.“
Playing a character who relies on drugs presented a unique challenge for TOP. He explained: “Filming the scenes where Thanos uses drugs was particularly difficult because I had to face the shadows of my past in front of hundreds of staff and cast members. It was emotionally taxing, but I immersed myself in the character study.“
To portray Thanos realistically, TOP studied the effects of the substances his character consumes. “I’ve read about how some medications cause severe dental damage and extreme anxiety or ADHD symptoms when not used. I worked hard to portray the contrasts in Thanos’ behavior before and after taking the drugs, as well as his growing desperation.“
