It seems that Korean netizens are unforgiving of former Big Bang member T.O.P's return to the acting scene, especially in a project with the whole world watching.

On June 29 KST, Netflix announced a surprising second cast lineup for the highly-anticipated original series, 'Squid Game 2'. Undeniably the most surprising name on the list was T.O.P, also known by his given name Choi Seung Hyun.

T.O.P has been largely away from the entertainment scene in Korea since 2017, after being found guilty of using the illegal drug marijuana and receiving a 2-year probation sentence. In 2019, the star claimed on his SNS that he "had no intention"of returning to the entertainment scene. Then, in April of 2022, T.O.P took part in the digital single "Still Life" with Big Bang, before parting ways with YG Entertainment that same month. Most recently, he made headlines by claiming on SNS that he had left Big Bang and will not return to the group.

Many long-time fans of Big Bang have turned a cold shoulder on T.O.P following his various controversies, citing his "selfish behavior and actions" as their reasons. And now, it seems that T.O.P is returning with his first acting project in Korea in approximately 9 years, and this time it's not just Big Bang fans who are turning a cold shoulder. 

For numerous Korean netizens, 'Squid Game 2' has immediately become a series they "will not be watching". Scathing comments on online communities included,

"The talent pool of South Korean male actors must be bone dry if they really couldn't find anyone besides him."

"I hope this series becomes the biggest flop in the history of Netflix ^^."

"Oh? Okay goodbye Netflix."

"Wow, congratulations T.O.P, all those years you spent making backhanded connections with the top of the top in the entertainment industry finally paid off."

"Watching Netflix sprinkle marijuana on its biggest hit in real time."

"And here we all thought, 'It's gotta be pretty hard to make this second season crash and burn'... they pulled it off even before they started filming it."

"I'm sorry to the other talented cast members... I'm not watching this."

"Let this pass and we'll have to put up with Yoo Ah In's face in the theaters before we know it."

"Director Hwang, casting him in this is literally you shooting and killing every talented, hardworking rising actor going to auditions every week for a tiny role."

"Didn't he literally tell everyone he was going to retire??"

"T.O.P, just go to the moon! No one wants you here!"

"Well, not watching this anymore." 

Meanwhile, T.O.P was announced as a member of the 'Dear Moon' project, a civilian tourist mission to the moon with Space X, in December of 2022.