Hwang Dong-hyuk, the director of Netflix's Squid Game, has addressed the controversy surrounding Choi Seung-hyun—better known as T.O.P of BIGBANG—who joined the cast of Squid Game 2. Critics have labeled his acting as subpar, but Hwang defended it as a deliberate directorial decision.
In an interview with Sports DongA on January 2, Hwang explained, “The portrayal reflects my creative intent.” He elaborated that Choi’s character, Thanos, serves as a commentary on societal issues faced by younger generations.
“In Season 1, the participants in the deadly game were primarily older people burdened by debt, reflecting their financial struggles. However, today’s youth, in Korea and globally, grapple with crippling debt from drug addiction, sports betting, and cryptocurrency. Through characters like Thanos (Choi Seung-hyun), Nam-gyu (No Jae-won), and Myeong-gi (Im Si-wan), I wanted to highlight these issues,” Hwang said.
The decision to cast Choi, who faced public backlash following a 2017 drug conviction, was met with strong opposition. Hwang shared the reasoning behind his choice: “Choi was one of 11 candidates considered for the role of Thanos. Given his hiatus, I wasn’t sure he’d even accept such a self-deprecating character. But when auditions failed to find the right fit, I reached out to Choi. His audition and script reading stood out; he was the best fit for Thanos.”
Despite this, Hwang admitted he underestimated the public’s strong disapproval. “I didn’t realize the extent of the public’s unwillingness to forgive Choi. Since the incident was long ago, I thought it wouldn’t be an issue, but the backlash was overwhelming. I even considered replacing him. However, after seeing his dedication to preparing for the role, it felt wrong to abandon him. Choi repeatedly expressed remorse, so I decided we’d face the criticism together.”
Regarding the criticism of Choi's acting, Hwang clarified, “It’s not due to his lack of talent but my creative choices. In Season 1, characters like Deok-su (Heo Sung-tae) and Mi-nyeo (Kim Joo-ryoung) were intentionally exaggerated. While they drew mixed reactions domestically, global audiences loved them. For Season 2, with its international focus, I wanted similarly exaggerated characters, which is why I crafted Thanos in that way. At times, I questioned whether the tone was right, but the character needed an eccentric energy and swagger.”
However, Hwang noted that excluding Choi from promotional activities was Netflix’s decision, not his. “I have no say in such matters. I believe Choi would’ve wanted to participate if given the chance. If he wishes to step out of hiding, he should face questions and share his story. While he’s not someone who handles confrontations easily, I hope he’ll find a platform to speak openly,” Hwang concluded.