T.O.P
Singer T.O.P (real name CHOI SEUNG HYUN) is returning to the music industry, reversing his previous statement that he would not make a comeback.
T.O.P is preparing a new solo track for a release scheduled in the first half of the year. Previously, on November 29, 2024, on his official account, he responded to a fan asking: “DOOM DADA 2.0 WHEN?” with “2025”, indicating that his solo comeback is ultimately later than initially expected.
The music video for the new track will feature singer and actress NANA. Regarding this, NANA’s agency, SUBLIME, confirmed to the media on February 9: “She will appear in the music video for T.O.P’s new track.”
This new song will be T.O.P’s first solo single in about 13 years, his previous solo being the album “DOOM DADA” released in November 2013. It is also his first solo release following the marijuana-related controversy. Since his debut in 2006 with BIGBANG alongside G-DRAGON, TAEYANG, DAESUNG, and SEUNRI, T.O.P has achieved numerous successes as a group member, in units, and as a solo artist, earning fans’ affection. In February 2017, he enlisted as a reservist, but marijuana use at his home in 2016 was revealed during his service, causing controversy. In July 2017, he was sentenced to ten months in prison with a two-year probation.
Despite this issue, T.O.P did not completely stop his musical activities. After the verdict, as an artist under YG ENTERTAINMENT, he participated in recording and filming the digital single by BIGBANG, released in April 2022, “봄여름가을겨울 (Still life)”. However, on May 31, 2023, in response to a fan asking if he had left BIGBANG, he confirmed on his official account: “I have already announced that I am leaving BIGBANG. I am starting a new chapter of my life”, officially marking his departure from the group.
After leaving BIGBANG, T.O.P focused on his acting career and activities in the alcoholic beverage industry. Having acted in the films “Commitment” (2013), “Tazza: The hidden card” (2014), and the web series “Secret Message” (2015), he resumed acting by appearing in season 2 of the series “Squid game”, released on Netflix on December 26, 2024, nine years after his last appearance. His first official appearance in Korea after the drug controversy took place on June 28 during the final event of season 3 of “Squid game” in Seoul.
The director of “Squid game”, HWANG DONGHYUK, explained the choice of T.O.P, despite his legal past: “For this role, I chose the actor I considered most suitable for the character, whether through casting or audition. This principle applies to all productions.” He added: “In the case of CHOI SEUNG HYUN, a lot of time had passed, the verdict was delivered, the probation period ended, and I considered that he could take on this type of project. Although it caused controversy, we worked with him throughout the process and decided to show journalists and the public why we needed to work with him through the final result. So we proceeded without cancellation.”
He continued: “I think when the public sees the production, they will understand that our decision was not easy, and that CHOI SEUNG HYUN himself did not have an easy task. I just ask for a little patience and that everyone judge after seeing the work.”
With his participation in “Squid game” and his solo comeback, T.O.P’s previous retirement statements lose weight. In October 2019, when a netizen commented on T.O.P’s official account: “Take a break and don’t come back”, T.O.P replied: “Yes! Lord! I have no intention of coming back either.”
Journalist: Shawn
Translator: Shawn
Source: SNS T.O.P
