Honestly, if you’d asked anyone a few years ago what Choi Seung-hyun would be doing in 2025, "living a quiet life as a wine mogul" might have been the safest bet. Or maybe "staring at the stars." After all, the man formerly known as BIGBANG’s T.O.P had basically vanished into a self-imposed exile. He spent years in the shadows of his own music studio, hiding from a public that wasn't exactly ready to forgive his 2017 marijuana controversy.
But 2025 has been weird. In a good way? Well, it’s complicated.
Between the purple-haired chaos of his character in Squid Game and the sudden cancellation of his trip to the actual moon, Choi Seung-hyun 2025 is a far cry from the "retired" idol we thought we knew. He’s back. Sorta.
The Thanos Risk: Why Squid Game Changed Everything
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Or rather, the rapper with the purple hair.
When Netflix announced that Choi Seung-hyun would join the cast of Squid Game Season 2, the internet went into a tailspin. People were mad. They were confused. How could someone who "retired" and faced such heavy legal scrutiny just... walk onto the biggest show on the planet?
He plays Player 230, a guy nicknamed "Thanos." And no, he doesn’t have a golden gauntlet. He’s a "hip-hop loser." A washed-up rapper who blew his fortune on a cryptocurrency called MG Coin and fuels his delusions with drug use.
It wasn't just acting
For Choi, this role was a mirror he didn't necessarily want to look into. He told reporters in January 2025—his first real press interview in eleven long years—that the character felt "fateful." He had to portray a drug-dependent, failed artist while the world was still judging him for his own past drug use.
- The "Cringe" Factor: Many Korean critics called his performance hammy. They hated the exaggerated gestures.
- The International Take: Interestingly, global audiences loved it. They saw "Thanos" as a standout, chaotic highlight.
- The Intent: Choi clarified that the "cringeworthy" acting was the point. If the character were a cool, successful rapper, he wouldn't be in a death game, right?
By June 2025, he was appearing at Netflix’s TUDUM event in Los Angeles, looking every bit the global star again. He even confirmed he’d be back for Squid Game Season 3, which dropped in late June. It’s a massive pivot from the guy who once said he’d never return to the Korean entertainment industry.
Why the Moon Stayed Out of Reach
Remember the dearMoon project? The one where a Japanese billionaire was going to fly a group of artists around the lunar surface on a SpaceX rocket?
Choi Seung-hyun was supposed to be on that flight. He spent years talking about how his soul was connected to space. But in mid-2024, the project was officially scrapped.
It was a blow. You could tell it hurt. In his statements throughout early 2025, he mentioned that while the mission was canceled, the inspiration didn't go away. He claims he wrote "countless songs" while preparing for that trip. He’s still obsessed with the moon. You see it in his art curation and you definitely see it in the branding for his wine.
T’SPOT and the "New Departure"
Speaking of wine, Choi Seung-hyun 2025 isn't just an actor. He’s a businessman with a very specific aesthetic. His brand, T’SPOT, isn't just a celebrity vanity project. He actually picks the blends.
The labels feature artwork by Kohei Nawa, a Japanese contemporary artist who happens to be a close friend. It’s all very high-brow but meant to be "affordable." He’s leaning into this idea of being a curator of lifestyle rather than just a face on a poster. It’s his "new departure," a phrase he uses a lot lately.
That Solo Album Everyone is Chasing
Here is what the fans (and the skeptics) are actually waiting for: the music.
It has been twelve years since "Doom Dada." Twelve. In K-pop years, that’s an eternity. But 2025 seems to be the year the drought finally ends.
The Industry Rumors
- The Kakao Connection: Reports surfaced in late 2025 that he’s in talks with Kakao Entertainment.
- The Solo Announcement: During a June interview with Awards Buzz, he dropped the bombshell: "My solo album dropping soon."
- The Sound: He describes the new tracks as being born from his "darkest period." Expect something raw. If you're looking for the upbeat "Bang Bang Bang" vibes, you might be disappointed. This is the music of a 37-year-old man who has seen the bottom.
Is BIGBANG Officially Over?
This is the part that stings for the VIPs.
During his 2025 media rounds, Choi was pretty blunt. He loves his former members, but he’s "facing a new chapter." He stepped away from YG Entertainment in 2022 and has distanced himself from the group’s future activities.
While G-Dragon, Taeyang, and Daesung are still doing their thing—and there are even rumors of a Coachella 2026 appearance for the group—Choi Seung-hyun seems content to stay in his own lane. He didn't want his "mistakes to harm the team's reputation." It's a bittersweet kind of loyalty.
What to watch for next:
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- Keep an eye on Netflix’s 2026 slate for any potential spin-offs or new projects; he seems to have a "favored son" status there now.
- Check the T’SPOT global shipping updates if you're into the wine scene; they are expanding distribution into more European markets.
- Monitor Kakao Entertainment's official press releases for the confirmed release date of his studio album—the current "second half of 2025" window is closing fast.
Ultimately, Choi Seung-hyun 2025 is a case study in how to handle a "downfall." He didn't come back with a fake smile and a pop song. He came back as a "pathetic loser" on a TV show and a guy who just wants to make wine and weird rap. It’s authentic, if nothing else.