Actor Choi Seung-hyun (group Big Bang Top) / Photo = Reporter Lee Ki-beom leekb@Netflix once again kept quiet.
On the 7th, SBS revealed the character of TOP who appears in the Netflix original series ‘Squid Game 2’.
Borrowing the words of an insider, the media said, “TOP appears as a retired idol who worked as a singer in the past in ‘Squid Game 2’.” Then, they reported, “We found an actor who can dance as well as rap in terms of character, and it is known that director Hwang Dong-hyuk himself chose the top.”
However, on the 8th, Netflix said, “Details of ‘Squid Game 2’ will be released in pursuit.”
/Photo = Netflix ‘Squid Game 2’
Following the previously announced Im Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Park Sung-hoon, and Yang Dong-geun, Netflix added Park Gyu-young, Jo Yu-ri, Kang Ae-sim, Lee David, Lee Jin-wook, Top (Choi Seung-hyun), Noh Jae-won, Won Jian, etc. said to have joined. In addition, Netflix raised expectations for the work by first revealing photos from the script reading of ‘Squid Game 2’ held on the 23rd of last month.
However, controversy arose over TOP’s appearance. T.O.P enlisted as a conscripted policeman in 2017, but was later found guilty of smoking marijuana at home in 2016 and was sentenced to 10 months in prison and 2 years probation. In addition, when a netizen left a comment on his personal SNS in 2019 saying, “Don’t come back, do yourself a favor,” TOP replied, “Yes! I don’t intend to do it either!” and announced his intention to retire. In May, he confessed, “I have already left Big Bang. I am facing a new chapter in my life since last year.”
On the other hand, Netflix said about T.O.P, “Choi Seung-hyun, who has been active as an artist without borders by showing beautiful acting that leaves a strong impression in the films ‘Tazza: God’s Hand’ and ‘Alumni,’ has confirmed his appearance in ‘Squid Game’ Season 2.” .
On the afternoon of the 28th, the production presentation of the drama ‘Secret Message’ was held at the Imperial Palace Hotel in Nonhyeon-dong, Seoul / Photo = Reporter Hong Bong-jin honggga@
It was TOP who expressed his position that he would not be active in the entertainment industry in the future. Therefore, the news of TOP’s appearance in ‘Squid Game 2’ left only irony to some netizens. In particular, since TOP’s return to domestic acting is about 9 years since the 2014 movie ‘Tazza – God’s Hand’, questions are growing as to whether ‘Squid Game 2’ had to recruit TOP.
Even last month, suspicions were raised that Lee Jung-jae, with whom he maintains a close friendship, had prepared a stepping stone to help him recover over TOP’s casting for ‘Squid Game 2’. However, Lee Jung-jae’s agency, Artist Company, said, “Some reports that actor Lee Jung-jae was involved in the casting of ‘Squid Game 2’ are not true. I know more than anyone that a lot of actors work hard to appear on the show due to interest, and it is decided through auditions.”
Netflix also explained, “The casting of actors for Netflix works is made by creators such as directors, writers, and production companies according to their creative intentions, and Netflix also respects this.”
/Photo = Netflix’s ‘Squid Game’
‘Squid Game’ is a Netflix series that tells the story of people participating in a mysterious survival game with a prize of 45.6 billion won, risking their lives to become the final winner and challenging an extreme game, directed and written by Hwang Dong-hyuk.
In Season 1, which was released in September 2021, Lee Jung-jae, Park Hae-soo, Oh Young-soo, Wi Ha-joon, Jung Ho-yeon, Heo Seong-tae, Kim Joo-ryeong, Gong Yoo, and Lee Byung-hun appeared, and in about a month, 111 million households around the world watched, ‘Squid Game’. ‘ became the highest-viewed Netflix original ever.
It is known that the total production cost of ‘Squid Game’ season 2 is about 100 billion won or more. The first filming will begin in July, with the goal of releasing it in 2024.
