Im Si-wan believes he couldn’t play T.O.P’s character ‘Thanos’ in “Squid Game 2”
Im Si-wan, who plays Lee Myung-gi in Netflix’s drama “Squid Game” Season 2 (written and directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk), attended an interview with reporters at a café in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
– Did you have any connections with BIGBANG during your idol days? What was it like working with T.O.P (Choi Seung-hyun)?
▶ At that time, BIGBANG was the celebrity among celebrities. Backstage, groups had separate waiting rooms, and it was rare to even see BIGBANG. Just passing by them and saying hello felt like a big deal. There was even a moment when Kwanghee said, “I think BIGBANG noticed your outfit.” (laugh) T.O.P and I had action scenes together, so we trained at an action school. During one scene, we were both in the air during a stunt, and that’s when T.O.P fractured his rib. Despite the pain, he continued filming. I’ve experienced a rib fracture while training with Choo Sung-hoon before, so I know how painful it is—it’s hard to even breathe properly. I thought filming should have stopped, but he kept going. It made me realize the dedication of someone who truly is a “celebrity among celebrities”.
– You also appeared with G-Dragon on a variety show.
▶ Even though we’re the same age, he’s someone who has led and influenced culture. Watching him feels like witnessing another world. He carries a certain weight because of his position, and I respect him deeply for enduring it.
– Why did you decide to appear on a variety show after a long time?
▶ It wasn’t about doing a variety show; it was more about the respect I have for someone like G-Dragon, who has experienced and achieved so much more socially and culturally. That respect motivated me.
– What are your thoughts on T.O.P’s acting, which has received mixed reviews?
▶ Acting is always subject to personal interpretation. Negative opinions are understandable. I just thought that I couldn’t play Thanos. Even the rap scene—I would never attempt it. That’s something only someone capable can pull off. If I tried, I’d probably quit all social media and hide in the mountains by the time the series aired.
– Your character is a cryptocurrency YouTuber. Do you have any actual investment experience?
▶ I’ve had some investment experience. It’s important to keep up with rapidly changing times, but my results were not as successful as Myung-gi’s ambitions. I’ve never been a YouTuber, so I prepared by watching YouTube to understand the nuances and emotions of broadcasting.
Meanwhile, “Squid Game 2” continues the intense story of Gi-hun (played by Lee Jung-jae), who returns to seek revenge, and the fierce confrontation with the Front Man (played by Lee Byung-hun) as the true games resume.
Following the success of Season 1, Season 2 has become a global sensation. According to Netflix’s Top 10 Tudum website, “Squid Game 2” recorded 58.2 million views (total viewing hours divided by runtime) from December 30, 2024 to January 5, ranking first in the combined global Top 10 series for both English and non-English shows. It appeared on Top 10 lists in 93 countries and reached the seventh spot among Netflix’s all-time most popular non-English series within its first week. By day 11, it had garnered 126.2 million views, making it the second most-watched series in Netflix history following Season 1.
Im Si-wan’s character Lee Myung-gi is a cryptocurrency YouTuber chasing quick wealth, only to ruin not just his own finances but those of many others. In the game arena, he faces pressure from Thanos (played by T.O.P) and Nam-gyu (played by Roh Jae-won) while encountering his ex-girlfriend Jun-hee (played by Jo Yu-ri), leading to complex relationships and emotional tensions.
