Photo: GOM · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Born in South Korea · Nationality South Korean — Culture / K-pop / cinema

T.O.P

Documented profile covering 5 controversies, including “Suspended prison sentence for four instances of marijuana use” and “Suspected preferential treatment during alternative service involving 19 days of sick leave”.

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Profile No. 0362 · Updated on 12 October 2026

5Documented controversies

9Sources

0Formal charge · all time

1Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

2023–2025

Casting in Squid Game 2: backlash over criminal record and denied allegation of favouritism

No legal proceedings

T.O.P's casting in the second season of Squid Game triggered a strong backlash in Korea because of his marijuana conviction and previous withdrawal from entertainment. Speculation also suggested that actor Lee Jung-jae, who was close to him, had influenced the selection.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
Asia Business DailyLee Jung-jae, T.O.P's Influence on 'Ogem2' Casting? "No Involvement"MediaHigh reliability
[2]
SBS"I Didn't Expect That" 'Squid Game 2' Director Responds to the Controversy Over T.O.P's CastingMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 21 August 2026

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2023

Controversial announcement of his departure from BIGBANG and removal of the group's name from his posts

No legal proceedings

In May 2023, T.O.P stated that he had already left BIGBANG and edited certain posts to cross out or remove references to the group. The manner of the announcement drew criticism, particularly as he had previously suggested that he might still participate in group activities.

State of the evidence: Documented
Legal status — source text: No legal proceedings
Attribution: Personally implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
Korea JoongAng DailyT.O.P announces departure from Big BangMediaHigh reliability
[2]
SBS[SBS Star] T.O.P Officially Confirms His Departure from BIGBANG; Here Is How It WentMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 21 August 2026

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2019–2020

Announcement of withdrawal from Korean show business following drug scandal

No legal proceedings

Following his conviction, T.O.P told an internet user in 2019 that he had no intention of returning to the entertainment industry, then reiterated during a live broadcast that he did not wish to make a comeback in Korea, sparking further controversy over his relationship with the public and the media.

State of the evidence: Reported by the press
Legal status — source text: No legal proceedings
Attribution: Personally implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
The Korea TimesT.O.P will not join BIGBANGMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 21 August 2026

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2018–2019

Suspected preferential treatment during alternative service involving 19 days of sick leave

No legal proceedings

In 2019, media outlets reported that T.O.P had taken 19 days of sick leave during his alternative service, approximately three times as much as certain colleagues used for comparison, with several periods of leave adjoining public holidays, prompting suspicions of preferential treatment.

Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
The Korea TimesBig Bang's T.O.P suspected of receiving special favors in militaryMediaHigh reliability
[2]
SBS빅뱅 탑, 진단서 없는 병가多 특혜의혹…용산구청 "없었다"MediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 21 August 2026

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2016–2017

Suspended prison sentence for four instances of marijuana use

Conviction

T.O.P, whose real name is Choi Seung-hyun, was found guilty of using marijuana on four occasions in 2016. In July 2017, he was sentenced to ten months' imprisonment, suspended for two years.

State of the evidence: Established by a court
Attribution: Personally implicated

Sources · 2

[1]
ReutersSouth Korea gives pop idol T.O.P. suspended jail term for smoking weedMediaHigh reliability
[2]
YonhapBIGBANG's T.O.P released from military serviceMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 21 August 2026

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II. Constellation of documented links

No documented link with another published profile for now.

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

III. Has something changed?

A new court decision, a missing source, a mistake? Tell us what should be updated: every request is read by the editorial team.