Korean Media Release Negative T.O.P Articles 5 Minutes After “Squid Game” Released
Fans are beginning to question the massive amount of negative articles about T.O.P‘s acting in Squid Game Season 2, as most articles were released almost instantly after the episodes were released on Netflix.
"Squid Game" Season 2 Actor T.O.P Earns Scathing Reviewshttps://t.co/i5IFhJARaJ
— Koreaboo (@Koreaboo) December 27, 2024
Koreaboo, along with other English media companies also used the same sources for the translated articles sharing the reviews with English fans. However, fans were quick to point out that these articles were released only 1 – 5 minutes after the episodes were aired.
He doesn’t even show up till episode 3. That’s three hours into the show. You posted this at 5pm. The MINUTE it was released.
These paid articles to defame him are so fkn annoying.
TOP is being praised worldwide for his performance! https://t.co/qHS9rD8cjM
— AXHXO 🍀 (@axhxo1) December 26, 2024
Fans began questioning whether or not the reviewers even watched the episodes or all the scenes with T.O.P in them before rushing to conclusions about his acting abilities.
So funny they posted this 5:01. ONE MINUTE AFTER THE RELEASE.
So you reviewed it WITHOUT seeing the whole thing. LMAOOO https://t.co/jC5XmWHz3V
— april 💫✨ (@puTOPinamo) December 26, 2024
Meanwhile, reviews from fans online seemed to be the opposite. While there were some fans who criticized his acting, many others praised him and what he brought to Season 2.
Can we talk about T.O.P’s English? I LAUGHED SO HARD HE IS SO DAMN FUNNY I LOVE HIM SM AHHHH
Here is a compilation that I found on TikTok- pls I need to watch actor Choi Seunghyun playing more dramas-🥹🫰🏼T.O.P BACK IN THE GAME#ChoiSeunghyunForSquidGame #TEAMTHANOS #SquidGame2 pic.twitter.com/d4QPUnLAif
— ΛΙΝΑ♡ (@KingJiyongx) December 27, 2024
Thanos was so annoying and weirdly fun at the same time. T.O.P did an amazing job portraying the character 👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/GHvkuCDoIR
— KLIFE (@8KLIFE) December 27, 2024
While there might not be a large conspiracy against T.O.P, fans were incredibly suspicious that there would be so many articles published on his poor performance instantly after Netflix released all episodes. However, Korean media site Hankyung reports that there was a press screening on December 23rd for Episodes 1 – 7, with a review embargo until the release date at 5PM KST.
Journalists and critics were required to sign a non-disclosure agreement stating that they would not publish articles or share content about the work on social media or online communities until the review embargo, which coincided with the series’ release. Additionally, they had to place their mobile phones in specially coated pouches that restricted camera functionality to gain entry to the screening venue.
So while it seems reporters would have watched all 7 episodes and all the clips of T.O.P before writing their criticism, it remains up to fans to decide whether or not this criticism was unfounded or not.
