Choi Seunghyun Archives • K-POP LIFE

Lee Jung Jae’s Agency Clarifies Squid Game Actor’s Involvement in T.O.P’s Casting in Season 2

Did Lee Jung-jae convince the producers of Squid Game Season 2 to cast a good friend? The Star Wars: Acolyte actor’s agency has addressed rumors that Lee helped former BIGBANG member Choi Seung-hyun aka T.O.P land a role in the Netflix series.

Earlier this week, Netflix announced eight more actors who will be joining Squid Game Season 2. The new cast members included Park Gyu-young, Jo Yu-ri, Kang Ae-sim, Lee David, Lee Jin-uk, Choi Seung-hyun, Roh Jae-won, and Won Ji-an.

Squid Game rounds out the cast for Season 2:

Please welcome Park Gyu-young, Jo Yu-ri, Kang Ae-sim, Lee David, Lee Jin-uk, Choi Seung-hyun, Roh Jae-won, and Won Ji-an to the game! pic.twitter.com/wV7WErYKpM

— Netflix (@netflix) June 29, 2023

Although fans were delighted to learn that T.O.P is returning to acting, others thought that the casting was dubious and were convinced that lead star Lee Jung-jae convinced the producers to cast Choi Seung-hyun in Squid Game Season 2.

Since then, Lee Jung-jae’s agency Artist Company released a statement addressing the rumors.

“Some of the reports that claim actor Lee Jung Jae was involved in the casting of Squid Game 2 are not true,” the statement read. “The casting of a project is the authority of the director and the production company.”

“In particular, actor Lee Jung Jae understands more than anyone that due to the great interest in Squid Game 2, many actors work hard to make an appearance, and [the cast members] are decided through audition,” it continued.

“Accordingly, we would like to reiterate that it is not true that actor Lee Jung Jae was involved in the casting of Squid Game 2,” the statement concluded.

It was previously confirmed that ZE:A member Yim Siwan, Park Sung-hoon (The Glory), Kang Ha-neul (The Pirates: The Last Royal Treasure), and Yang Dong-geun (Connect) will also join Squid Game Season 2. Their roles in the series are still undisclosed.

Squid Game Season 2 will bring back Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Wi Ha-joon, and Gong Yoo. The second season has not yet been given an official release date but is already expected to premiere on Netflix in 2024

T.O.P Confirms BIGBANG Exit, Teases First Solo Project

T.O.P Officially Announces His Departure From BIGBANG, Continues Teasing Solo Debut

T.O.P recently shared a post on his official Instagram account. The post features a video of the rapper playing the keyboards while the photo confirms he is “still working on my albums.”

It seemed like a typical T.O.P post until one fan asked an important question in the comments. “TOP DID YOU LEAVE BIGBANG?” they wrote. Interestingly, Choi Seunghyun replied to the comment with a firm confirmation.

“I’ve already withdrawn,” he wrote. In a second reply, T.O.P explained that this isn’t a fresh update.

“I’ve already told you guys that I’m leaving and I’m now facing a new chapter in my life since last year,” he wrote.

Although T.O.P insists this isn’t a recent update, fans were shocked by his confirmation. Back in February 2022, YG Entertainment announced that Choi Seunghyun had terminated his exclusive contract with the agency. However, T.O.P was still expected to join BIGBANG in their group activities.

In April 2022, T.O.P reunited with G-Dragon, Taeyang, and Daesung for “Still Life”, BIGBANG’s first comeback in four years. It was also the group’s first project as a quartet since former member Seungri retired from the industry. It would also become T.O.P’s last project with BIG BANG.

For now, YG Entertainment has not made an official announcement about T.O.P’s departure from BIGBANG. Likewise, Choi Seunghyun has not yet shared further details about his first solo effort.

Moreover, BIG BANG has not yet confirmed their plans for their next comeback. Stay tuned for more updates on this story.