CHOI SEUNG HYUN: Is he one of the faces of Netflix?

Shawn 3 June 2025 3 min read

Actor CHOI SEUNG HYUN (TOP) has become the “face” of Korean content on Netflix.

On June 3, Netflix Korea released a video on its official YouTube channel titled:

“Even if you don’t know the language, you can still feel it! | Martha Stewart, Choi Seung-hyun, Lil Yachty | Netflix” (original Korean title: 언어는 몰라도 느낌은 아니까!).

This promotional video for Netflix’s Korean content (K-Content) begins with Martha Stewart tearing up while watching the series “When life gives you tangerines” (Korean title: 폭싹 속았수다). It then transitions to the message “Even without understanding Korean, it still touches the heart,” showing Martha enjoying various Netflix K-dramas in her daily life — including “Squid Game Season 2″, “Hellbound Season 4“, “All of Us Are Dead“, and “Physical: 100“.

The video then returns to the scene of Martha watching “When life gives you tangerines”, and that’s when CHOI SEUNG HYUN (TOP) appears. Surprised, Martha asks:

“TOP from Squid Game?”

CHOI SEUNG HYUN replies in English: “I like you,” then quickly scans the room as he notices Martha snacking on Korean treats, listening to a song by BLACKPINK’s Jennie, and wearing an Extraordinary Attorney Woo T-shirt. He then says in Korean:

“You’ve clearly fallen in love not just with K-content, but with Korean culture too. Don’t worry—everyone does. Skrrr.” Then, he exits the scene.

This isn’t the first time CHOI SEUNG HYUN has been spotlighted as a symbolic figure of Netflix’s Korean content. On June 1 (KST), he was also invited to TUDUM 2025, Netflix’s global fan event held at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles. The event is known for unveiling new projects and announcements related to Netflix’s biggest titles.

For Korean productions, the cast of “Squid Game Season 3″ was featured, including Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Park Sung-hoon, CHOI SEUNG HYUN, and Kang Ae-shim. Interestingly, CHOI SEUNG HYUN drew attention as the only actor among them not appearing in Season 3. His character—a washed-up, drug-addicted rapper nicknamed “Thanos”—dies in Season 2.

Nevertheless, his invitation is reportedly due to Netflix headquarters recognizing the immense popularity of his character. This new ad campaign seems to align with that strategy. When “Squid Game Season 2″ was released, his role as “Thanos” sparked a wave of memes and went viral online.

In 2016, CHOI SEUNG HYUN was sentenced to 10 months in prison with a 2-year suspension for smoking marijuana at his home. Since then, he has been at the center of controversy for clashes with fans and retirement rumors. However, he resumed his career in December last year through “Squid Game Season 2″.

In a promotional interview for the season, he said:

“I was planning to leave the project, but director Hwang Dong-hyuk gave me back my confidence. As an actor, I felt the best way to repay that trust was to fully commit to my role with a strong sense of responsibility.”

He added: