T.O.P Explains When And Why He Decided To Leave BIGBANG In New Interview
Former BIGBANG member T.O.P (Choi Seung Hyun) recently opened up about various topics, including his past mistakes, departure from the group, and his comeback through “Squid Game 2” through his 1st press interview in over 10 years.
On January 15, T.O.P participated in an interview at a café in Seoul’s Sogyeok-dong to discuss his role in Netflix’s original series “Squid Game 2.” He also touched on various other topics such as BIGBANG.
After T.O.P’s marijuana controversy, he was dismissed from his role as a conscripted police officer and reassigned as a public service worker. Despite completing his alternative service and being discharged in July 2019, he faced accusations of receiving special treatment, sparking public backlash. Netizens criticized him harshly, saying, “Don’t even think about coming back.” In response, T.O.P stated, “I have no intention of doing so” and declared, “I won’t make a comeback in Korea,” hinting at his retirement from the entertainment industry at the time.
His departure from BIGBANG also further strained his relationship with fans, particularly due to comments perceived as denying the bond he once shared with his group members.
T.O.P left the group three years ago. Reflecting on his departure, he explained, “I don’t remember the exact timing, but after releasing ‘Still Life,’ I thought of it as BIGBANG’s final project for me. I poured everything into that work, gave it my all, and then ended my contract with the company.”
He further added, “After being discharged as a public service worker, I made it clear—five to six years ago, to be exact—that I wanted to leave the group. It’s been a long time since that decision.”
Addressing this, T.O.P shared, “To speak honestly, I am someone who caused significant harm to the team BIGBANG and the company (YG) due to my mistakes. For years, I’ve told the company and the members that I couldn’t continue being a burden to them and that I would leave the team to prevent causing further damage.”
He continued, “If I were to pursue something on my own now, I know I must take full responsibility for it, including the criticism that comes with it. Returning to the team and allowing my ‘label’ to affect the members would only bring them more hardship. I’ve carried that guilt for a long time, and that’s why I decided to leave.”
He admitted, “Choosing to leave may have seemed reckless, but that wasn’t my true intention. I sincerely hope people understand that.”
Source: (A)
