Former KPOP star Choi Seung-hyun (also known as T.O.P), who played fan-favorite character Thanos in Squid Game season 2, has broken his silence about joining the action drama's sophomore season. Choi has become one of the breakout stars from the new season, after his wild, unhinged character Thanos caused chaos among the new group of contestants.
Thanos caused an instant stir when he joined the mix in season 2, ardently determined to do whatever it takes to claim the enormous cash prize, even if it means all the other contestants have to die in the deadly games. A rapper, Thanos lost all his money after investing in cryptocurrency scam and became addicted to drugs. The scammer himself is also a contestant, causing tension from the outset.
Thanos' energy made fans instantly love him... or love to hate him, at least. His dancing on the carousel during the game Mingle has become one of the most memed moments of the season.
If you start watching Squid Game S2 at exactly 07:03:37pm today, this bop will play when the clock strikes midnight.
— Netflix UK & Ireland (@NetflixUK) December 31, 2024
Begin your new year right. pic.twitter.com/RFnxKuhC2s
Choi Seung-hyun's performance was one of the standout parts of season 2. Looking back on securing the role, Choi saw reflections of the character in himself. "The offer to play Thanos was a daunting proposition. The character mirrored my past, reflecting aspects I'd rather keep hidden. The fear of being pigeonholed into one role made me hesitate. But destiny seemed to be pulling me in this direction," he told The Korean Times.
Choi had been out of the film and TV industry for many years before the Squid Game opportunity came about, in part because of scandals involving marijuana use, which is punished much more harshly in South Korea than it is in the United States. "For almost 10 years, I felt no one looked at me, but director Hwang Dong-hyuk reached out to me first," he revealed. "The trust (and) the belief he had in me gave me the courage to take this on. As an actor, it is my duty to repay the trust. Excelling in my performance is another assignment in my life."
Choi researched the effects of the drugs Thanos used and used his knowledge to make his performance as authentic as possible. “I tried to act differently in scenes where Thanos had not yet used the drug versus those where he had,“ he explained. “There’s a type of rap style in southern U.S. hip-hop called ‘mumble rap,’ often associated with rappers who use powerful stimulants. I tried to channel that in the way Thanos delivers his lines.”
Thanos was brutally killed off towards the latter part of season 2, but the character will be remembered as one of the most popular in the series. Choi deserves all the praise for his performance!
Squid Game season 2 is now streaming on Netflix. The series returns later this year for its third and final season.
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