‘Squid Game’ Season 2 Actor T.O.P Faces Backlash Over Past Scandal

The South Korean rapper’s controversial casting as Thanos reignites debate about his 2017 marijuana conviction and career comeback.

Choi Seung-hyun, also known as T.O.P, returned to acting in 'Squid Game' Season 2 after a nine-year hiatus following his 2017 marijuana conviction in South Korea.
T.O.P plays Thanos, a chaotic and divisive character in the series, whose traits reflect some aspects of his real-life struggles as a rapper and former K-pop star.
The decision to cast T.O.P has drawn mixed reactions in South Korea, with critics calling it inappropriate while fans and the show's creator defend his performance and courage.
Hwang Dong-hyuk, the series creator, praised T.O.P for taking on the role despite its parallels to his personal controversies and described the casting as an act of redemption.
Thanos’ character has been a standout in the globally successful second season, which broke Netflix viewership records, and the show’s third season is slated for release later in 2025.