Choi Seung Hyun, aka T.O.P, former member of BIGBANG, is getting a lot of attention for his role in Squid Game 2, but the reactions are very different from local and international audiences.

The highly anticipated Squid Game Season 2, which hit Netflix on December 26, follows the intense battle between Gi-hun (played by Lee Jung Jae), who returns for revenge and to participate in the games once again, and Frontman (Lee Byung Hun), who is waiting for him. The season, as a follow-up to the global hit Squid Game, has created major buzz since production began.

However, the casting of Choi Seung Hyun for a key role in the show caused quite a stir in South Korea. The star, who had previously left BIGBANG due to a marijuana scandal and retired from the entertainment industry, faced backlash over his casting. His return to acting in Squid Game 2 became one of the most talked-about and criticized decisions.

Director Hwang Dong-hyuk defended Choi Seung Hyun’s casting at a press conference before the show’s release, saying, "It took a lot of courage for Choi Seung Hyun to take on this role. I believe he was the perfect fit." He added, "You may not understand my choice now, but after watching the show, you'll see why I insisted on casting him. It wasn’t an easy decision, and it wasn’t easy for him either. I hope you judge him after seeing the work."

But when Squid Game 2 premiered, South Korean viewers were not impressed with Choi Seung Hyun's acting, especially his portrayal of Thanos, a character shown as a "drug addict." This portrayal led to a lot of negative feedback from the local audience.

Despite this, Director Hwang stood by his decision. In a People magazine interview on December 28, he praised Choi Seung Hyun’s performance, saying, "Even after a long break, I think he gave an impressive performance. I’m very satisfied with his work." This sparked even more criticism from domestic viewers, who were clearly not on the same page.

However, the international reaction to Choi Seung Hyun’s performance has been very different. Overseas audiences have praised his portrayal of Thanos, calling it one of the most memorable characters of Squid Game 2. Some international outlets even went so far as to name Thanos the standout role of the season, highlighting his realistic depiction of a "drug addict."

It seems that while domestic viewers have been tough on T.O.P's return to acting, international audiences are giving him the recognition he deserves.

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Song Hye Kyo opened up about how she handles the rumors that often surround her, showing just how much she has grown and matured over the years in the entertainment industry.

On January 8th, the actress appeared on tvN's You Quiz on the Block for the first time in 23 years, and during the episode, she didn’t shy away from discussing how she faces the various rumors about her.

“I’ve been working for so long that I didn’t realize it, but when I hear it from here and there, I realize there are a lot of rumors about me,” Song Hye Kyo shared honestly. She then explained how she deals with the rumors head-on when they come up in interviews or casual conversations with strangers.

“I tell them, ‘I’ve heard that too. Go ask the person who started that rumor. I don’t know, so I’m not sure what answer I should give,’” she proudly said, showing her cool and relaxed attitude toward the gossip.

Song Hye Kyo also opened up about how criticism doesn’t affect her the way it once did. “I’ve been criticized so much that, honestly, I’m okay with it now. It’s fine when bad, malicious comments are directed at me,” she admitted. “But when it’s aimed at my family, it breaks my heart.”

Reflecting on her long career, she shared how her attitude toward rumors has changed since her debut. “Since I started working at such a young age, there have been many small and big rumors. Because of my job, I often hear things and just let it go. There were times when I thought, ‘Isn’t this a bit too much?’” she recalled. “But one day, I met someone who asked, ‘I heard this rumor, can I ask about it?’ I said, ‘If I knew, I would answer. But I’ve only heard this as gossip, and I don’t know about it, so I can’t say anything. It would be faster for you to ask the person who started the rumor.’”

Song Hye Kyo, who has handled the pressures of fame with grace, will next be starring in the upcoming movie The Black Nuns, set to be released on January 24th. Fans are excited to see her return to the big screen, and we can’t wait to see what’s next for this veteran actress.

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