T.O.P Stands Tall Next to Ben Affleck and Millie Bobby Brown—Despite the Backlash

Actor T.O.P (Choi Seung-hyun) is stepping onto the global stage through Squid Game. Netflix has officially announced the lineup for its upcoming global fan event TUDUM, unveiling a star-studded list that includes both Korean and international icons.

The event will take place on May 31 at 5 PM (local time) at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles. Korean stars like T.O.P, Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, and Park Sung-hoon are among those invited—drawing significant attention. International names include Antonia Gentry, Guillermo Del Toro, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Steven Yeun, Jenna Ortega, and Millie Bobby Brown, making it a truly global A-list gathering.

However, both T.O.P and Park Sung-hoon’s involvement in Squid Game Season 2 sparked controversy prior to this event.

T.O.P was previously convicted in 2017 for drug use at his home, receiving a 10-month suspended prison sentence with two years of probation. He later left BIGBANG, distanced himself from the group’s legacy, and even blocked fans on social media. After reversing his retirement, he joined Squid Game Season 2, where his acting performance received heavy criticism in Korea. He was notably excluded from the show’s initial promotional activities. Despite this, overseas audiences responded differently—praising his character and performance, with even humorous comparisons to Thanos going viral. While rumors of his return to BIGBANG surfaced, T.O.P has since denied them.

Park Sung-hoon, on the other hand, was generally praised for his acting in Squid Game Season 2. However, he faced backlash after accidentally sharing a sexually explicit parody of Squid Game on social media. He later apologized, stating that he intended to send it to a company contact but mistakenly posted it. The incident led to his exit from another drama project.

Despite these controversies, both actors are now confirmed to attend Netflix’s flagship global event—signaling their continued global popularity and influence. Their upcoming appearance at TUDUM is generating fresh interest in their next moves.

Meanwhile, Squid Game 3, the final installment of the globally acclaimed series, is set to premiere on June 27 on Netflix, drawing attention from fans worldwide.

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