This article contains minor spoilers.

The highly anticipated second season of Netflix's "Squid Game" premiered globally on December 26 at 5 PM (KST), drawing attention to T.O.P (Choi Seung-hyun), often labeled as a "controversy icon."

Season 2 follows Seong Gi-hun (played by Lee Jung-jae) as he returns to the deadly games seeking revenge and faces off against the "Front Man" (played by Lee Byung-hun) in an intense showdown.

T.O.P takes on the role of "Thanos," a character with a life story that bears striking similarities to his own. Thanos, a former runner-up in a hip-hop survival competition, is a retired rapper and drug addict. Bringing drugs into the game arena, Thanos participates while under the influence, showcasing erratic and unpredictable behavior. The parallels to T.O.P's real-life history, including his departure from Big Bang due to drug-related controversies, have drawn significant attention.

In 2016, T.O.P was convicted for marijuana use, receiving a 10-month prison sentence with a two-year probation period. At the time, he was serving as a conscripted police officer but was deemed unfit for further service and completed his mandatory duties as a public service worker. Following the controversy, T.O.P faced backlash from Big Bang's fanbase and ultimately announced his retirement from the entertainment industry. Last year, he officially departed YG Entertainment, marking his exit from Big Bang.

Despite declaring retirement, T.O.P's casting in "Squid Game" Season 2 sparked renewed controversy. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk admitted, "I didn't expect this much backlash." Due to the mounting criticism, T.O.P was excluded from all promotional activities for the series.

"Squid Game" Season 2 is now available on Netflix, and Season 3 is set to premiere in 2025.