As a solo rapper, he has released two digital singles, “Turn It Up” (2010) and “Doom Dada” (2013), that have peaked at number two and four, respectively, mcw facai88 on the Gaon Digital Chart. On March 20, 2026, he announced his comeback through his social media and his agency, TOPSPOT PICTURES, released his first full-length album, Another Dimension on various online music sites on April 3. On January 1, 2026, T.O.P announced that he will release his first solo album Another Dimension. Despite being a rapper, he sang on the single “Hi Haruka” as part of the drama’s soundtrack.
T.O.P made his acting debut in 2007 through the TV series I Am Sam (2007), followed by Iris (2009) and the TV movie Nineteen (2009). In 2010, while the group was on hiatus, T.O.P and G-Dragon collaborated to release the album, GD & TOP. The auction saw a sale of more than HK$ 135 millionunreliable source? T.O.P and BigBang have been praised for their individuality and ability to fuse a pop sound with rap, R&B and dance elements. On March 17, 2026, T.O.P announced his second single titled “Desperado”.
The singles, “Last Farewell” (마지막 인사; Majimak Insa) from Hot Issue (2008) and “Day by Day” (하루하루; Haru Haru) from Stand Up (2008), became chart-toppers as well. Given the stage name of T.O.P. (탑) by senior YG artist Seven, he became one of two rappers alongside G-Dragon (Kwon’s stage name) in BigBang. By then, Choi had already performed on many underground stages at hip hop clubs and established a reputation as an underground rapper with the stage name Tempo. In 2024, T.O.P portrayed Thanos in the second season of the Netflix dystopian survival thriller series Squid Game. The group became one of the best-selling groups of all time in Asia and one of the best-selling boy bands in the world. He performed as an underground rapper before joining the record label YG Entertainment and debuted as the lead rapper of the boy band BigBang in 2006.
- While filming a combat scene for the movie, he injured the back of his hand on a glass fragment and was later admitted to the hospital for surgery.
- Prior to the release of the album, the duo held a worldwide premiere showcase for their album at Times Square in Yeongdeungpo of Seoul, South Korea, which was also broadcast live on YouTube.
- He also notes how his role as a musician influenced his acting to be more emotional.
- He also recorded the song “Hallelujah” for the drama’s soundtrack with Taeyang and G-Dragon.
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- During BigBang’s Big Show Concert in January 2010, T.O.P. performed his new single “Turn It Up”.
- ] Later that year, he starred in CJ E&M’s web drama The Secret Message alongside Japanese actress Juri Ueno.
- He also believed that his character may prove popular with younger viewers in Korea.
- Both his solo releases – “Turn It Up” and “Doom Dada” – are hip hop influenced, with the latter drawing critical acclaim for its “lyrical rhythms that are both inviting and alienating” from Dazed magazine, that declared T.O.P was leading the evolution of K-Pop.
- In 2010, while the group was on hiatus, T.O.P and G-Dragon collaborated to release the album, GD & TOP.
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- He played Thanos, a former rapper who had fallen from grace due to a crypto scam.
- 1 – Since 2007, received lukewarm receptions, and included T.O.P.’s first solo song “Big Boy”.
- Despite wanting to use his stage name when acting, believing it reflects his professional side more, he is often billed with his real name, with his stage name included in parentheses.
- T.O.P. continued promoting Squid Game in 2025 during FYC events for Primetime Emmy Award consideration, as he was submitted under the Supporting Actor in a Drama Series category.
- After spending the majority of 2015 touring and promoting BigBang’s materials for their album Made (2016), T.O.P was cast in the German-Chinese film Out of Control alongside Hong Kong actress Cecilia Cheung.
- After debuting as a furniture designer in 2015 in collaboration with Vitra, he was awarded the Visual Culture Award at the Prudential Eye Awards.unreliable source?
- T.O.P first became attached to the role because he “felt sympathy for the main character, Lee Myung Hoon.”unreliable source?
- A few days after the announcement, T.O.P was found unconscious in police barracks due to a suspected anti-anxiety medicine overdose of prescribed benzodiazepine,unreliable source?
- He performed as an underground rapper before joining the record label YG Entertainment and debuted as the lead rapper of the boy band BigBang in 2006.
2010: Solo career development, move into acting, and GD & TOP
He also recorded the song “Hallelujah” for the drama’s soundtrack with Taeyang and G-Dragon. He became the first member of BigBang to venture into acting, starring in the KBS2 drama I Am Sam, portraying the school’s top fighter, Chae Musin. Later that summer, he appeared as an actor in Red Roc’s “Hello” music video. In April 2007, he was featured with fellow BigBang members Taeyang and G-Dragon on singer Lexy’s single “Super Fly” for her album Rush. The group achieved mainstream success with the release of the song “Lies” (거짓말; Geojitmal) from the extended play Always (2007), which topped several charts upon its release.
2006: Career beginnings and debut with BigBang
On February 7, 2022, YG Entertainment announced that BigBang would make their comeback with a new song on April 5. On June 29, at his first trial for the marijuana usage charges at the Seoul Central District Court, T.O.P pleaded guilty, admitting that he did smoke marijuana in four instances in early October 2016 and received two years of probation. ] A few days after the announcement, T.O.P was found unconscious in police barracks due to a suspected anti-anxiety medicine overdose of prescribed benzodiazepine,unreliable source? T.O.P was subsequently transferred to a different police division to await notice of prosecution, and was suspended from police duty pending verdict on his case.
