[SBS Star] T.O.P Talks About His Departure From BIGBANG & How He Feels About Their Recent Activities

'Squid Game 2' star T.O.P candidly expressed his feelings regarding the K-pop boy group he left behind, BIGBANG.

On January 15, T.O.P had an interview with news outlets for Netflix's original series 'Squid Game 2' at a café in Jongno-gu, Seoul; in the series, he played a character called 'Thanos', a rapper.

T.O.P gained worldwide fame as a member of BIGBANG, one of the most successful K-pop groups.

However, things took a turn in 2017 when T.O.P was sentenced to a ten-month jail term and a two-year suspension for marijuana use and halted activities.

Later, T.O.P announced his departure from the group; he also caused controversy by blocking fans who tagged him in BIGBANG posts on social media or mentioned the group under his posts.

▶ [SBS Star] "But He Gained Fame from the Group!" T.O.P Blocks Fans Tagging Him in BIGBANG Posts
T.O.P first explained in the interview what made him decide to leave BIGBANG.

"I'm the one who seriously harmed the team that is BIGBANG. I had so many thoughts in my head back then. I thought I shouldn't do more harm to the group."

"I decided to leave BIGBANG, leaving 'Still Life' as my last project with the team. I was too ashamed to continue as a part of BIGBANG. After all, it was my fault and a mistake that I committed. I should bear the criticism that follows single-handedly."
Next, T.O.P shared why he blocked certain fans on his Instagram, adding that people misunderstood his motive.

"It wasn't that I had certain feelings about the group. I made a huge mistake, and I felt so bad about it that I left the team. It was distressing to see those pictures of me and the members in which the fans tagged me on social media and the comments they left, hoping for our reunion. I felt like being tortured with false hope."

"It was like looking at your family photo when you cannot see some of them again. I don't think anyone could understand how difficult it feels other than the ones involved."

T.O.P apologized and said, "Looking back, I think I did that because I was hurt and distressed."
Recently, G-DRAGON, TAEYANG, and DAESUNG, the remaining members of BIGBANG, took the internet by storm as they released a new song called 'HOME SWEET HOME' and performed together on stage at the '2024 MAMA AWARDS'.

T.O.P shared that he watched BIGBANG's recent performance and opened up about what it was like to see his former colleagues.

"They looked cool. I'll forever root for the members' success in my heart.", the actor remarked.
T.O.P stated, however, that he and the BIGBANG members are currently not in touch.

"I'll carry the regret towards the members for the rest of my life. The sense of guilt I have is still too big. I don't think I could readily reach out to them. I don't have enough mental space right now to process too many things.", he added.
(Credit= THE SEED, 'xxxibgdrgn' Instagram, 'MnetMAMA' X, YG Entertainment)

(SBS Star)