T.O.P Appears with Noticeably Slimmer Face at “Squid Game 3” Event: “No Regrets About Season 3”

Recently, Netflix held a grand event in Seoul’s central plaza to celebrate the launch of “Squid Game Season 3″, drawing widespread attention from fans and media alike. Among the cast and crew present, it was the appearance of Choi Seung-hyun, better known as T.O.P and formerly of BIGBANG, that stirred the most buzz.

This marked T.O.P’s first official public appearance in South Korea in nearly three years since completing his alternative military service in 2019. Noticeably thinner and almost unrecognizable to some, he greeted fans and press with a calm confidence. He spoke candidly about his role as “Thanos,” a rapper character introduced in “Squid Game Season 2″.

At the event, T.O.P stated that he had no regrets about not being part of Season 3, saying, “I already did enough bad things in Season 2 and paid the price.” He expressed deep gratitude to director Hwang Dong-hyuk and the entire production team for giving him the chance to participate in such a monumental project. When asked which game he’d choose if given a role in Season 3, he humorously answered, “Hide and seek, as I’m confident in my agility.”

Choi Seung-hyun’s comeback is especially controversial due to his past. In 2017, he was convicted for marijuana use, receiving a suspended prison sentence, which led to his departure from the entertainment industry and eventual declaration of retirement. His role in “Squid Game 2″ marked his reentry into acting, sparking mixed reactions and even suspicions that his casting was influenced by connections.

Previously, T.O.P had stated during a livestream that he had no plans to return to the Korean entertainment scene, admitting that his time away was a period of reflection, remorse, and personal growth. However, he eventually re-entered the industry through various activities. His appearance in “Squid Game 2”, in particular, sparked multiple controversies.