According to an exclusive media report by Star News on July 12 KST, the process for T.O.P to come onboard for Netflix's 'Squid Game 2' was by no means an easy one. 

Star News claimed that T.O.P attended the first script reading for 'Squid Game 2' held last month on June 23 without knowing whether or not his casting was final. 

There are rare cases in the drama industry when actors or actresses who are cast in a production decide to leave the project after the first script reading, as a result of a mismatch in character portrayal or other reasons. 

In T.O.P's case, Netflix and director Hwang Dong Hyuk underwent "considerable deliberation" before ultimately making the decision to cast him for the project due to the star's past drug crime. 

Immediately after the script reading, the actors and actresses were asked to pose for official casting photos. According to Star News, the stars were asked to pose for two different photos, in the case that T.O.P was not cast in 'Squid Game 2'. 

It's believed that T.O.P's ability to portray a retired idol with notable rap and dance skills ultimately led to director Hwang's final decision.