'Squid Games' T.O.P breaks silence: Apologies, regret, and Big Bang departure

T.O.P reflects on his mistakes, Big Bang departure, and his plans to release new music after 7 years in isolation.

Following his return to acting through Netflix's Squid Game 2, musician and actor T.O.P has granted his first media interview in 11 years. The star opened up about his past mistakes, his departure from Big Bang, and his future plans.

In 2016, T.O.P faced legal issues with a two-year probationary sentence for illegal drug use. He officially left Big Bang and parted ways with YG Entertainment in 2022. During his recent interview, T.O.P candidly addressed the controversies and misunderstandings surrounding his actions.

“In my twenties, I received more love than I deserved and enjoyed unimaginable fame and stardom, but I also experienced downfall and ruin for the first time in my life,” he shared. “It pushed me into inescapably dark times. I was broken, I didn’t have the strength to put myself back together, and just wanted to give up on everything.”

T.O.P also discussed his departure from Big Bang, explaining, “I severely hurt the image of Big Bang and my former agency through my mistakes. I made the decision to leave because I did not want to hurt the group any further. It was unbearable to think my mistakes would hurt the other members.”

While he declined to comment directly on his relationship with Big Bang members, T.O.P emphasized that he is not in contact with any of them and has no plans to rejoin the group, stating, “It would be shameful for me to do so. I decided long ago I did not want to hurt the group’s image anymore, and that has not changed.”

Looking forward, T.O.P expressed his dedication to music. “I spent the last 7 years as an outcast from society, living in my studio and working on music. Being in front of the mic, making music, was the only time I felt like I could breathe,” he said, revealing plans to release an album soon. “I think of it as my responsibility to share my music with the fans who still support me.”

He concluded, “I want to take this opportunity to assure that the same mistakes and misunderstandings will not happen again.”