'Squid Game 2' director Hwang Dong-hyuk explained why he insisted on casting T.O.P, formerly of K-pop boy group BIGBANG, despite the controversy surrounding him.
On August 1, Netflix's original series 'Squid Game 2' held a press meeting at the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul in Jongno-gu; the reports about the event were kept closed until November 13. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk and Siren Pictures CEO Kim Ji-yeon attended the event. While talking to the press, the director addressed the controversy T.
O.P's casting in 'Squid Game 2' generated. Many fans expressed concerns when T.
O.P emerged as a new cast member for the much-awaited 'Squid Game 2' since he received a 10-month prison sentence and 2-year probation for marijuana use in 2017. "I didn't expect that his casting on this series would spark this degree of controversy.
", Hwang Dong-hyuk remarked. "That had been some time ago. T.
O.P had already received a sentence and is off probation. Many figures in this industry before him made comebacks after being socially criticized for their actions.
" "I thought it could be regarded as more of a personal issue as time passes. However, the degree of concerns voiced exceeded what I had expected, which made me think I may have failed to think it through." "But having that in mind, our team checked him thoroughly.
He has shown a great will to be part of this series.", the director stated. When asked about T.
O.P's role in the series, Hwang Dong-hyuk replied, "I can't share the details, but I coul.