As ‘Squid Game’ Season 2 lays the groundwork for the return of the “drug offender” Top (Choi Seung-hyun), the main character finally steps forward.
On the 10th, Netflix announced, “On the 15th and 16th, we will conduct additional interviews with actor Choi Seung-hyun and the production team (art director Chae Kyung-sun, music director Jung Jae-il, cinematographer Kim Ji-yong),” and added, “We ask for your understanding regarding the embargo on actor Choi Seung-hyun.”
Previously, the actor interviews for ‘Squid Game 2’ (directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk, hereafter ‘Ogem 2’) concluded on the 9th. Starting with director Hwang Dong-hyuk and Lee Jung-jae, interviews with an unprecedented cast including Lee Byung-hun, Lim Si-wan, Wi Ha-jun, Park Gyu-young, Yang Dong-geun, and Kang Ae-sim were conducted over about two weeks. The grand finale was adorned by Top.
Even during the interviews, the name ‘Top’ was frequently mentioned. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk, who ultimately picked him, as well as Lee Jung-jae and Lee Byung-hun, who were involved in the ‘Top networking casting controversy’, and Lim Si-wan, who opposed Top in Season 2, had to answer related questions.
From the start to the finale of the golden age of K-content, Season 2 has been running with a negative label due to ‘Top’ alone, and it is still ongoing. This is undoubtedly due to director Hwang’s judgment. Although there were options for ‘replacement’, director Hwang stated that he could not ‘turn back’ on the affection built during the working period with the actor. While there is no disagreement that he is a genius storyteller, as a leader of a large project, it is ‘questionable’.
Of course, anyone can make mistakes. Nevertheless, many expressed discomfort at Choi Seung-hyun’s return, primarily due to his ‘drug offense’ (he was sentenced to 10 months in prison and 2 years of probation for smoking marijuana four times: twice in cigarette form and twice in liquid form), but also because he has never properly apologized, stated he “does not want to make a comeback in Korea. I don’t want to come back at all,” and his talent and experience as an ‘actor’ are insufficient, leaving him still unable to escape the ‘parachute casting suspicion’.
In fact, didn’t harsh criticism of his acting pour in right after the work was released? Even if the bombardment served as a buffer, it can be conceded that it was later said to be ‘divisive’, but even with top-notch acting, when it is necessary to contribute more for the status of K-content, he continues to bring negative issues daily, so how can the public’s gaze be favorable?
Moreover, since the casting news, he has not once expressed an apology (even in writing), so both in terms of ‘criminal record’ and ‘talent’, as well as ‘attitude’ and ‘character’, he has exceeded the usual standards.
Nevertheless, director Hwang surprised reporters with a childish appeal, saying, “My hometown (Korea) is harsher. I’m starting at 50% down. Anyway, it’s a proud thing that there is such a globally popular content, but it’s very upsetting. Please look at it nicely.” Is there any Korean who wouldn’t applaud the rise of K-content? Rather, if the reaction is this cold, shouldn’t he reflect on his own judgment, attitude, ethics, and sense of responsibility?
As he said, in reality, there are many actors who have returned and are active despite having a ‘drug offense’ and various negative histories, enduring harsh criticism. Externally, this is often referred to as a ‘bad practice’. Voices calling for self-purification are constantly being raised.
It is truly disappointing that director Hwang justified his choice of Top by relying on such ‘bad practices’. He also cast Oh Dal-soo, who was embroiled in a ‘Me Too’ scandal, and Song Young-chang, who was investigated by the police for paying a minor for sex on two occasions in 2000. Of course, it is his authority. However, it is truly embarrassing to hear the official stance that “there are such people, so it’s okay.” The public also has the right to express negative reactions to that choice. There’s no need to discuss something like ‘home country chance’.
Director Hwang has consistently stated, “I didn’t know that Top was not forgiven by the public to this extent. Marijuana is legal in foreign countries... Other actors with drug offenses have been active after some time, so I thought it would be okay. I was surprised to see the fierce criticism after the casting was revealed, but I couldn’t turn back.”
“If you watch the work, you will understand his acting,” “He showed tremendous courage,” “Please evaluate him based on his acting after watching,” he has shown confidence, but after the work was released and harsh criticism poured in, he again said, “It seems that Koreans particularly do not like exaggerated and cartoonish characters. It was the same in Season 1. It seems that the character of ‘Thanos’ does not match the domestic viewers. I think Top acted well.”
For Top himself, playing a character similar to his own situation (a washed-up rapper addicted to drugs) and performing in a caricatured manner would certainly be a challenge. However, that only applies to him, and casting an actual offender in the role of an offender is, in a way, a mockery and deception towards the audience.
Director Hwang also responded to a question about the audition competition for Top, saying, “I don’t remember exactly,” and “After conducting the audition several times, we picked him.” It is common sense that an audition requires the candidate to apply first for the next step to occur, but director Hwang said, “At that time, among many applicants, I couldn’t find a suitable ‘Thanos’. Then someone handed me a list, and I questioned whether he could be a person too similar to his situation, and after he expressed his intention to think about it, we proceeded with the audition.”
Additionally, while typical auditions do not give multiple chances to insufficient candidates, director Hwang emphasized, “At first, I didn’t like it at all, so I asked him to do it again several times. I requested several re-auditions and provided feedback, going through the process together. We conducted the audition several times.” It raises questions about whether that is a typical ‘audition’.
Furthermore, he also emphasized, “I thought it would be difficult to promote together from the beginning. Since it’s a small role, I thought there was no reason to appear in front of the public. It was not intentionally excluded due to negative public opinion.” However, Top is now in front of the public.
Having hidden behind director Hwang all along, he, who did not hesitate to emotionally mock even his fans, who was angry at the arrows of criticism and spoke of retirement, seizes the incredible opportunity of ‘Ogem 2’ and stands on the splendid comeback stage they laid out. He will surely provide explanations and apologies for various controversies. Whether that will resonate is questionable. The golden time has already passed.
The interview with Top on the 15th can be reported from 8 AM the next day.
