Warning, spoilers. Before continuing reading this article, it is recommended to watch “Squid Game” season 2.
The South Korean phenomenon series is back. After the global success of the first season, Squid Game returns three years later with a second round of episodes that offer new twists and exciting new death games.
Three years after winning the Squid Game, the 456th player, Ji-hoon (Lee Jung-jae), refuses to go to the United States and returns with a new goal: he tries his best to dive back into the arena, where he will face deadly situations with new participants, who all dream of winning the prize of 45.6 billion won.
I am amazed by this character
And among these new players we discover in the third episode, we find a crazy, colorful and psychopathic participant: Choi Soo-bong, player 230. The latter is willing to do anything to win the games, even if it means crushing others. , to pay debts.
He specifically attacks Myeong-gi, aka MG Coin, a YouTuber who has caused billions in lost subscribers by encouraging them to invest in cryptocurrencies. Choi Soo-bong lost a lot of money to MG Coin, which ruined his career as a rapper under the name Thanos.
Yes, player 230 chose the name of the great antagonist of the Marvel film franchise as a pseudonym. And the winks don’t stop there, as he’s dyed his hair purple (like the character’s color) and painted his nails the same colors as the famous Infinity Stones that Thanos has been trying to collect in the MCU movies.
One of the punchlines of this finalist on the show “Rap Battle Grounds” is also: “My rap will wipe out half of humanity”Referring to Thanos’ plan to destroy half the world in the Marvel film franchise.
During the Trials, Thanos surrounds himself with players who he can manipulate or harass in order to win them over. But he also takes drugs hidden in a cross necklace, which causes him to exhibit eccentric and psychotic behavior.
Controversial choice of actor
The character of Choi Soo-bong aka Thanos has a lot in common with the actor who plays him, namely Choi Seung-hyun. The latter is a South Korean actor and rapper, better known by his stage name TOP. He was also one of two rappers in the group BigBang, considered the “Kings of K-pop” and the third highest paid boy group in the world after One. Direction and the Backstreet Boys.
If Choi Seung-hyun or TOP has millions of fans around the world, his appearance in Squid Game season 2 still caused controversy due to legal issues. In 2018, in the middle of his mandatory military service, the former K-pop star shocked the South Korean population by using marijuana.
A few days after the start of the novel, Choi Seung-hyun overdosed on benzodiazepines, but doctors treated him in time. The rapper had to apologize for his behavior, after which he was sentenced to 10 months in prison and two years of probation. He was also discharged from the military and temporarily left social media and distanced himself from the entertainment industry, it said BBC.
Released in 2019, TOP continued his career in the music industry solo and with the group BigBang, which he said he will leave in 2022. Since then, he has continued his work and found himself in the spotlight thanks to Squid Game this year, but his casting was poorly received by the public.
Hwang Dong Hyuk, the creator of Squid Game, didn’t expect the rapper’s presence to cause controversy. “The incident happened a long time ago and the punishment has been served”He told the South Korean media outlet Maeil Business Newspaper (M Hindustan Times), “A lot of artists have come back after similar incidents, so I thought it might be a good time for him to come back to work.”
He felt he might have “badly rated” The level of public interest in this selection that it maintains and supports is due to Choi Seung-hyun’s talent, hard work and dedication: “He sent videos of his training sessions and showed effort and talent even while reading the script”.
According to the creator of Squid Game, it was “The most suitable choice” For a role that paradoxically shares a resemblance to a rapper. Therefore, he decided to leave it in the casting.
“Squid Game” season 2 is available on Netflix.
Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
