TOP performance is on Squid game 2 continued to receive divided reactions from fans. However, a Korean reporter was not kind to the former BIGBANG member due to his controversial and acting past.

Korean news outlet OSEN published a report exploring TOP’s performance feedback on Squid game 2. On the show, the idol played Thanos, a strange rapper and drug addict who was a secondary antagonist in the second season.

T.O.P.’s performance made headlines due to the parallels his role had with his real-life experiences, as the idol tested positive for marijuana use in 2017.

While many praised his portrayal of Thanos, this new report harshly labeled TOP as the “drug rapper” and called his acting “cringe-worthy” due to his unprecedented English-speaking moments and boastful behavior.

“TOP, who returned after stepping away from the entertainment industry, has many shortcomings. Thanos’ English dialogues and swaggering rap are embarrassing to say the least.”

The report continued: “The character himself is cringe-inducing, and he continually plays the part without being unable to overcome that cringe factor, and so what becomes of the viewers?”

He also cited aspects such as the difference in reactions between foreign and Korean viewers due to language barriers and delivery.

“Since (the show) was not primarily in their language, viewers from abroad might be more tolerant of this performance. But for Korean viewers, who can discern the subtle meaning of each word and understand it more skillfully, TOP’s performance is bound to come across as awkward.”

He added, “Director Hwang Dong Hyuk promised good results, but realized he needed a rapper who really does drugs. Not his acting skills.”