Squid Game star T.O.P., real name Choi Seung-hyun, suffered a tragic incident almost a decade ago that nearly took his life and ruined his career altogether.

One of the most notable yet controversial castings in Squid Game Season 2 was Thanos, played by former BIGBANG member T.O.P. or Choi Seung-hyun. Part of the issue with his involvement in the famed Korean horror series was due to his previous scandal related to marijuana use, which is considered illegal in South Korea.

T.O.P. in Squid Game / Credits: Netflix

The public figure received a two-year mandatory military service and a ten-month prison sentence after he was found guilty of drug use. In 2017, he suffered from a suspected drug overdose after he was found unconscious at his military station.

What happened to T.O.P. before playing Thanos in Squid Game?

It’s difficult to imagine someone else portraying Thanos in the second season of Squid Game after T.O.P.’s exemplary performance. While he endured backlash for receiving work again after the scandal, series creator Hwang Dong-hyuk defended the actor’s casting and said he was delighted with the performance, via People.

Hwang had always wanted authentic casting for his project, and no one could have played the role of Thanos – a rapper who uses drugs in the show – better than T.O.P., as he shared the same experience.

He was 29 years old when the incident happened. At the time, one of the doctors who attended the star said that his condition was very bad after he was suspected of overdosing on benzodiazepine, a prescription tranquilizer used to cure anxiety.

T.O.P. in Squid Game / Credits: Netflix

Although they claimed that it was not life-threatening, he was still unresponsive and in a state of stupor and deep drowsiness, as per the Korea Herald. The rapper struggled with his breathing, but thankfully, the medical team was able to respond quickly.

The overdose case was linked to his previous scandal in South Korea after he was allegedly caught smoking marijuana in four instances back in 2016. The controversy took a toll on his mental health, which also prompted him to release a handwritten letter via his former agency, stating: “I deserve punishment for hurting the members, agency, public, fans and family,” via BBC.

Unlike many actors who failed to survive drug overdose, T.O.P. was very lucky to have recovered from those dark times in his life. Now, he’s slowly getting back up after almost a decade of hiatus and his appearance in Squid Game is just the beginning.

How T.O.P. geared up for the role of Thanos

T.O.P. in Squid Game / Credits: Netflix

T.O.P. expressed his excitement in portraying Player 230 in Squid Game. He told Netflix how he prepared for the role and what he wanted to achieve for the character.

My personal goal was to show the viewers a character they hadn’t seen before — someone who is mysterious and unpredictable and with a couple of loose screws.

He added that he tried to deliver his lines as naturally as possible without being too lighthearted or comical. Many fans had mixed reactions towards Thanos, but it’s quite understandable that he’s designed to be a flawed character after all.

Squid Game Season 2 is currently available to watch on Netflix.