‘This is so mean’: Was T.O.P skipped from being mentioned in Squid Game 2 promotions? Here's what we know

The cast of Squid Game has stirred up some controversy by not mentioning T.O.P during their promotional events. Keep reading to discover the details behind this situation.

By Hrishita Das

Updated on Jan 30, 2025 | 09:07 PM IST | 49.4K

T.O.P: Instagram, Squid Game season 2 poster: Netflix

Squid Game Season 2 achieved massive success upon its release; however, it has also faced controversies. Recently, fans noticed that the cast has not been acknowledging T.O.P during promotional activities. Speculation suggests that his absence from the promotions may be due to the K-pop star’s contentious past, potentially leading to his exclusion.

During a recent interview, Yang Dong Geun, one of the main characters in the series, sat down with Australian presenter Andy Trieu to discuss his role in Squid Game Season 2. He was asked about his favorite artists he has worked with while creating music. Instead of directly naming T.O.P, he referred to him as "the friend who played Thanos."

Fans speculated that a production crew member may have subtly signaled Yang Dong Geun to avoid mentioning the former BIGBANG star. Following this, the actor swiftly redirected the conversation to other cast members.

T.O.P appeared in Squid Game Season 2, playing the role of Thanos, who entered the game after suffering a huge investment loss. Although his character became extremely popular among fans, the cast and crew are seemingly avoiding his name due to possible backlash stemming from his controversial past.

In 2017, the artist received a 10-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, due to marijuana use. This incident also led to his discharge from military service and a lower profile on social media. Following this, he stepped away from the entertainment industry for several years. Additionally, T.O.P decided to part ways with BIGBANG, expressing that he did not want to cause further harm to the group. He also revealed that he was no longer in contact with the members.

Recently, T.O.P announced that he is ready to re-enter the music scene. He is preparing new songs, which will be released soon, delighting his fans and the BIGBANG fandom alike.