T.O.P

Who Is T.O.P?

T.O.P, born Choi Seung-hyun on November 4, 1987, in Seoul, South Korea, is a rapper, actor, and creative entrepreneur widely recognized as the deep-voiced lead rapper of BIGBANG, one of the best-selling boy bands of all time. If you grew up with K-pop, you probably already know his slow, bass-heavy delivery and his effortlessly cool stage presence — but there’s a lot more to his story than just BIGBANG.

Early Life and Debut

Before he became T.O.P, Choi Seung-hyun was an underground rapper who caught the attention of YG Entertainment. Interestingly, he was almost turned away for not matching the label’s idea of an idol’s look — so he lost around 20 kg in just 40 days to earn his spot. That determination paid off: he debuted with BIGBANG on August 19, 2006, and quickly became known for his sharp fashion instincts and unpredictable charm.

Solo Career and GD&TOP

While BIGBANG was on hiatus in 2010, T.O.P teamed up with fellow member G-Dragon to release the subunit album GD&TOP, which topped charts and gave fans a taste of his solo artistry. He followed this with his own digital singles, Turn It Up (2010) and the strange, art-house style Doom Dada (2013) — a track so distinctive that Dazed magazine named it the top K-pop song of that year.

Acting Career

T.O.P has built an acting résumé that runs parallel to his music. He appeared in the drama I Am Sam and the hit spy series Iris, then moved into film with 71: Into the Fire and the gambling drama Tazza: The Hidden Card. More recently, global audiences met him again as Thanos, a debt-ridden rapper, in the second season of Netflix’s Squid Game — proof that his creative range extends well beyond music.

Leaving BIGBANG and New Beginnings

After 16 years with YG Entertainment, T.O.P departed the label in 2022, and in May 2023 he confirmed he had officially left BIGBANG. Rather than stepping away from music, he founded his own agency, TOPSPOT PICTURES, and in 2026 released his first full solo album, Another Dimension — his first solo musical project in over a decade.

Personal Life and Interests

Away from the stage, T.O.P is known as a serious art and design enthusiast. He has collaborated with the Swiss furniture brand Vitra, exhibited pieces from his own art collection, and cultivated a public image built around minimalist, high-fashion taste. He has an older sister, Choi Hye-yoon, and has been close friends with G-Dragon since childhood.

Quick Facts Table

From underground rapper to global idol, actor, and designer, T.O.P continues to reinvent himself while remaining one of K-pop’s most influential and quietly experimental artists.