Squid Game director defends TOP's acting amid mixed reviews from South Korean audience

Squid Game director Hwang Dong-hyuk addressed criticism of former BigBang member TOP's acting as Thanos/Player 230 in Season 2. While some international outlets praised his performance, South Korean viewers largely criticized it, calling it "unbearable." Hwang acknowledged the backlash and noted that he underestimated the public's reaction to TOP's casting, especially given his past legal issues. He explained that the character was designed to be exaggerated and over-the-top, aligning with his vision for the role. Despite the mixed reception, Hwang stated that promotional efforts for TOP were limited from the start. He highlighted the cultural differences in audience reactions, with younger and international viewers responding more positively than those in South Korea.