- Controversial casting of Top in Squid Game Season 2
- Netflix’s role in the casting of Top for Squid Game 2
- Public reaction to Top’s casting with a drug conviction
- Double standards in Netflix’s handling of drug actors
- Controversy surrounding Lee Jung Jae’s involvement in Top’s casting for Squid Game 2
There is a lot of controversy over the casting of Top (Choi Seung-hyun) from the group Big Bang in the Netflix original drama ‘Squid Game Season 2’ (hereinafter referred to as ‘Squid Game 2’). With the success of the first season and the expectations for the second season soaring, the question is whether it was ‘necessary’ to cast him with a drug conviction.
To date, Top’s role in “Squid Game 2” is unknown, but the aftermath has led to the other cast members being held accountable. There are allegations that actor Lee Jung Jae, who has always been close to Taep, “plugged” him. His agency, Artist Company, quickly denied the allegations as “not true.” Later, another actor, Lee Byung Hun, was also accused of going “behind his back,” and his agency took an unclear stance, saying they had “nothing to say.
Of course, it’s hard to disagree with the casting allegations. It’s not uncommon for influential actors, writers, and production companies to have input into a movie. However, even if there was a recommendation, the final decision was made by the director of the movie, Hwang Dong-hyuk. In the end, it’s up to Hwang to explain his reasons for casting Top.
What’s interesting to note is the public’s reaction to the allegations. It’s hard to ignore the fact that these allegations were fueled by the public’s discomfort with the suddenness of the casting. The casting of Top was a surprise.
In 2017, Top was sentenced to 10 months in prison and two years of probation for smoking cannabis on four separate occasions while serving in the military. He was still serving in the military at the time and remained inactive after his discharge, until he participated in BIGBANG’s new song “Spring Summer Fall Winter,” which was released last year. He later left BIGBANG.
That’s almost six years of no work as a singer or actor. In fact, there are many celebrities who make a comeback within a short period of time after getting into trouble with broadcasters. Six years is a long time in comparison. If Top had spent six years in seclusion, public opinion would still be cold, but it might not have gotten to the point where he couldn’t return at all.
But in the meantime, Top got into a useless emotional battle with the public and got ugly. In response to comments like “restrain yourself” and “don’t think about making a comeback,” he emphasized, “I have no intention of making a comeback, especially not in Korea.” Last month, in response to a comment asking if he had left BIGBANG, he said, “I’ve already said I’m leaving,” adding, “Since last year, I’ve been facing a new chapter in my life.” It’s his inappropriate attitude that has come back to bite him in the ass, rather than owning up to his mistakes.
Netflix’s double standards were also a problem. Netflix had been paying closer attention to the actor’s drug problem than any other OTT. Netflix had previously faced an embarrassing situation when Yoo Ah-in was arrested on drug charges. As public opinion turned, the drama “Idiot of the Apocalypse” and the movie “Game of Thrones,” both starring Yoo Ah-in at the time, were postponed, and the company decided to use Kim Sung-chul instead of Yoo Ah-in for the upcoming season of the drama “Hell,” which was before filming.
Of course, as mentioned earlier, the director is the final decision maker on the casting, but it is difficult to finalize the casting without the approval of Netflix, a production company that invests huge production costs. This is why Netflix has been criticized for its double standards. Recently, many celebrities, including Yoo Ah In, Don Spike, and others, have come forward with drug issues, and drug-related crimes are no longer considered “personal aberrations. This is why many people are disappointed and angry at Hwang and Netflix for giving Top a platform to make a comeback.