SOURCE: '마약사범' 탑, 은퇴한다더니…나나 손잡고 솔로가수 컴백까지[종합]
T.O.P (Choi Seunghyun), who was convicted on drug charges, is returning to the music industry, breaking his past promise that he wouldn't make a comeback.
T.O.P is currently preparing a new solo song with the goal of releasing it in the first half of the year. Previously on November 29, 2024, when a fan asked, "DOOM DADA 2.0 WHEN?" he replied, "2025." This means that his solo comeback is a bit later than planned.
Singer and actress Nana will appear in the MV for the new song. Regarding this, Nana's agency, Sublime, told Newsen on the 9th, "She will be appearing in T.O.P's new MV."
This new song will be T.O.P's first solo release in about 13 years. His last solo release was the album 'DOOM DADA,' released in November 2013.
This is also his first solo song since his marijuana controversy. T.O.P debuted in 2006 as a member of BIGBANG alongside G-Dragon, Taeyang, Daesung, and Seungri, releasing numerous hit songs as a group, sub-unit, and solo artist. In February 2017, he enlisted as a conscripted police officer and appeared to be serving diligently. Later, it was revealed that he had smoked marijuana at his home in 2016 prior to his enlistment, leading to a controversy. In July 2017, he was sentenced to 10 months in prison with a two-year suspended sentence, becoming a convicted offender.
After the drug scandal, he did not completely stop all his music activities. Even after his guilty verdict, while still under YG Ent., he participated in the recording and MV of BIGBANG's digital single 'Still Life' released in April 2022. However, on May 31, 2023, he officially confirmed that he was no longer part of the group as he responded to a fan's question, saying, "I already said that I left BIGBANG. I'm facing a new chapter in my life."
After leaving BIGBANG he has focused on acting and liquor business. After starring in movies like 'Commitment' (2013), 'Tazza: The Hidden Card' (2014), and web drama 'Secret Message' (2015), he resumed his acting career after 9 years by starring in 'Squid Game' Season 2, released on Netflix on December 26, 2024. His first official public appearance in South Korea after the drug controversy was at the 'Squid Game' Season 3 finale event held in Seoul last June.
Given that there are many talented actors who follow the law, questions arose as to why 'Squid Game' director Hwang Donghyuk chose to cast an actor with a drug record. At a press conference, Director Hwang explained, "I cast the actor I believed was most suitable for the role, or discovered them through auditions. I followed that principle for this project as well."
Director Hwang added, "In Choi Seunghyun's case, by the time we decided to cast him, quite a lot of time had passed. The sentence had already been finished and the probation period had already ended. I thought that enough time had passed for him to start working again. Although it became controversial, I had already gone through a long process with him. I decided the only option was to show reporters and viewers through the final result why I had to work with him on this project."
He added, "I personally think that once you watch the result, you'll understand that this was not an easy decision for us. It likely wasn't an easy choice for Choi Seunghyun either. Please wait a little longer and make your judgment again once the work is released."
With his appearance in 'Squid Game' and now a solo comeback, T.O.P's previous hints at retirement have become meaningless. In October 2019, when a netizen commented, "Reflect on yourself and don't ever comeback," T.O.P replied, "Yes! Oh God! I have no intention of doing so either."
TOP COMMENTS:
1. [+127][-6] They kind of a perfect match since both of them are full of bluffing.
2. [+72][-4] If he was going to act like this, why did he say he was retiring as if he had no regrets? Those remarks he said in the heat of anger is going to follow him like a tag for the rest of his life now.
3. [+52][-0] ??? Don’t worry, he’s not doing music in South Korea.
4. [+19][-2] Because of him, now I know what drug-user eyes look like.
5. [+16][-4] He can’t rap for shit, and his voice isn’t even suited for singing, so what exactly is he trying to do?
