He is currently promoting “Squid Game.”
Koreaboo
In 2017, T.O.P was embroiled in a scandal for illegal marijuana use that led to a 10-month suspended prison sentence. Following the scandal, the idol continued activities with BIGBANG with the release of “Still Life,” despite leaving YG Entertainment.
In 2023, the idol announced that he had departed from BIGBANG, following some speculation from fans. T.O.P kept a low profile after this, but recently returned to the spotlight with his appearance as Thanos in Squid Game‘s second season.
This was also his return to interviews, as the idol conducted several for the first time in years.
T.O.P’s activities have increased due to Squid Game‘s popularity, with the idol attending promotional activities for the upcoming season in Los Angeles in late May.
These events are the first time the idol has spoken in front of fans in a long time, which has been readily welcomed.
T.O.P was so pleased with his answer #TOP #탑 #최승현 #CHOISEUNGHYUN #TTTOP #Thanos #SquidGame2 pic.twitter.com/XRApb9z4LG
— QUEEN & TTTOP👑❤️ (@QueenTOPam) May 29, 2025
Seunghyun laughing 🥰🥰#TOP #탑 #최승현 #CHOISEUNGHYUN #TTTOP pic.twitter.com/F6Pi94zKut
— april 💫✨ (@puTOPinamo) May 29, 2025
On May 29, the idol attended another pre-release event for Squid Game, where he surprised many by directly speaking about his past controversy.
T.O.P answered a question about Thanos, which was then translated by the translator at the event. Though he has spoke about his connection to Thanos before, the previous instance was through printed interview.
This has been a sensitive subject for a long time but that fact that he’s addressing it in a space such as this, in front of fans, really shows he’s ready and wanting to move on and I’m so so proud of him pic.twitter.com/83Xsa35pQV
— ysa (@ysatopp) May 30, 2025
I think Thanos is a character that I had to have a lot of talks with Director Hwang to create. We had a lot of talks down to the most minute details of this character. He’s not an amazing rapper, he’s more like a failed soul, a failed young person whose reliant on drugs and I looked up what happens he’s addicted to those kinds of strong drugs. What kind of anxiety he feels, what kind of mood swings he has, and I wanted to infuse that into this character, Thanos. Also, I have made my mistakes in the past and I have to come face to face with those mistakes when I was playing this character. So, I needed to muster up a lot of courage to take on this role but Director Hwang gave me so much trust so that I could have the confidence to play this role and while creating this character Thanos, I could self-reflect about my past and I think I can finally move on to a new chapter of my life, so I learned a lot from this character.
— T.O.P
Many reacted with pride in the artist for taking this step, and are looking forward to the next chapter of his life!
This has been a sensitive subject for a long time but that fact that he’s addressing it in a space such as this, in front of fans, really shows he’s ready and wanting to move on and I’m so so proud of him pic.twitter.com/83Xsa35pQV
— ysa (@ysatopp) May 30, 2025
This is so beautiful 🥹🤍
People make mistakes !
The right thing is to admit it and seek to change https://t.co/GlZDWKY9Qo— IMAN 🌵 (@Cactus4realz) May 30, 2025
Hopefully, Thanos can be his closure to his dark past. From now on the healing process continue without any burden https://t.co/Vv03efjnmL
— Ani (@MySeimeiSama) May 30, 2025