5 Shocking Facts About "I'm A Legend, Thanos": The Viral Line That Defined Squid Game Season 2

The phrase "I'm a legend, Thanos" has exploded across social media and the internet, becoming one of the most quoted and meme-worthy lines of the current era. As of December 2025, this seemingly random declaration of self-importance is not a forgotten line from a superhero movie, but the centerpiece of a massive cultural moment stemming from Netflix's highly anticipated *Squid Game* Season 2. The line is delivered with unforgettable bravado by the character known as Thanos, or Player 230, a figure whose presence in the show ignited controversy and discussion long before the season even aired. This deep dive uncovers the true, complex origin of the quote, the dramatic backstory of the K-pop idol who delivered it, and how this single, viral moment became a powerful symbol of redemption and critique within the latest installment of the brutal South Korean survival drama. The character, Choi Su-Bong, quickly established himself as a major antagonist, whose fate was inextricably linked to his own self-proclaimed legendary status.

The Man Behind the Meme: Choi Seung-hyun (T.O.P) Biography

The actor who brought the character Thanos (Player 230) to life is a figure already well-known globally: Choi Seung-hyun, better known by his stage name T.O.P. His casting was a major news event, marking a dramatic return to the public eye after a significant period of controversy.

• Full Name: Choi Seung-hyun (최승현)
• Stage Name: T.O.P
• Date of Birth: November 4, 1987
• Place of Birth: Seoul, South Korea
• Primary Career: Rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor
• Musical Group: Former member of the iconic K-pop boy band Big Bang
• Notable Acting Roles: *Tazza: The Hidden Card* (2014), *Commitment* (2013), and most recently, Choi Su-Bong (Thanos) in *Squid Game* Season 2 (2024)
• Character Name in *Squid Game 2*: Choi Su-Bong (Player 230), nicknamed Thanos
• Major Controversy: In 2017, T.O.P was convicted for illegal marijuana use, a scandal that led to his blackballing from much of the Korean entertainment industry and an 11-year silence before his appearance in the Netflix series

T.O.P's portrayal of the flashy, purple-haired rapper Thanos was not just an acting role; it was a high-stakes cultural comeback that placed him immediately back into the global spotlight.

The Origin of "I'm a Legend, Thanos": Player 230's Rap Battle

The iconic line is a direct quote from the character Choi Su-Bong, a.k.a. Thanos, during one of the most memorable and bizarre challenges in *Squid Game* Season 2: the Rap Battlegrounds. The character is introduced as a professional rapper whose career has been derailed, forcing him into the deadly games to pay off crippling debt. Choi Su-Bong, who adopts the moniker "Thanos" due to his perceived power or perhaps his purple hair, quickly establishes himself as a major antagonist, a bully who exploits other players, drawing comparisons to the Season 1 villain Jang Deok-su. His motivation is deeply rooted in a failed investment in a fraudulent cryptocurrency called Dalmatian. The phrase "I'm a legend, Thanos" is a line from the rap he performs during a crucial game. The lyric, often quoted as: "Red, orange, yellow, green, I'm a legend, Thanos," is a moment of pure, unbridled arrogance and self-proclamation. The irony, which makes the line so memorable, is that despite his bold declaration of being a "legend," the character's performance is ultimately a failure. In a dramatic twist, Thanos forgets the lyrics to his own song during the final moments of the rap battle, leading directly to his elimination from the game. This moment of humiliation and defeat, immediately following his declaration of legendary status, is what sealed the line's fate as a viral meme.

A Controversial Comeback: T.O.P's Casting and Public Reaction

The decision to cast Choi Seung-hyun (T.O.P) in a prominent role like Player 230 was one of the most contentious aspects of *Squid Game* Season 2. The controversy stems from his 2017 conviction for smoking marijuana, which is a serious offense in South Korea and led to his effective blackballing from the Korean entertainment industry. * The Scandal: The marijuana scandal had an "irreversible effect" on his career, with his face often censored on Korean television. * The Director's Defense: The director of *Squid Game*, Hwang Dong-hyuk, defended the casting, calling the role T.O.P's "comeback" and stating that it took him a "lot of guts" to return to acting. * The Character's Role: Crucially, the character Choi Su-Bong is deliberately written as a flawed, controversial figure—a rapper with a drug problem who is arrogant and ultimately defeated by his own hubris. This meta-casting decision was seen by many as a deliberate commentary on T.O.P's own public image and fall from grace. By playing a villain who is a "legend" in his own mind but a failure in reality, the show cleverly incorporated the actor's real-life narrative into the fiction. The ensuing public debate—between those who felt his casting was undeserved and those who saw it as a nuanced opportunity for redemption—only amplified the character's visibility and the virality of his most famous line. The casting became a major talking point for the series, adding layers of topical authority to the character's storyline.

Why the Phrase Became a Viral Phenomenon

The lasting impact of "I'm a legend, Thanos" is a perfect storm of internet culture, K-drama hype, and deeply ironic delivery.

1. The Irony of the Declaration

The most significant factor is the profound irony. The line is delivered at a peak moment of arrogance by a character who is about to suffer a humiliating defeat. This juxtaposition—a self-proclaimed "legend" failing spectacularly—is a goldmine for meme culture, often used to comment on overconfidence or a sudden, unexpected failure.

2. The Unexpected Thanos Connection

The use of the name Thanos, a moniker instantly recognizable globally due to the Marvel Comics supervillain, created an immediate, cross-cultural connection. While the *Squid Game* character is entirely separate from the Mad Titan of the MCU, the shared name and the character's purple-themed aesthetic (purple hair) made the line instantly shareable and ripe for comparison and parody.

3. The Cultural Weight of T.O.P's Comeback

The performance was not just a scene; it was a cultural event. For fans of Big Bang and K-pop, T.O.P's return was monumental. For critics, it was a point of contention. The high-stakes nature of his performance meant that every line, especially a bombastic one like "I'm a legend, Thanos," was scrutinized, quoted, and debated, ensuring its immediate spread across platforms like Reddit and YouTube.

4. Player 230's Memorable Antagonism

Choi Su-Bong, or Thanos, was designed to be a memorable, grating, and ultimately pathetic villain. His character arc—from a failed crypto investor to a ruthless game player—resonated with modern anxieties about wealth and status. His final, desperate claim of legendary status is the perfect punchline to his tragic downfall, solidifying his place as a fan-favorite villain of *Squid Game* Season 2. In summary, the phrase "I'm a legend, Thanos" is far more than a simple quote. It is a dense piece of pop culture, loaded with meta-commentary on the actor's controversial past, the character's hubris, and the dark, ironic humor that defines the world of *Squid Game*. This single line ensures that the legacy of Player 230 will endure as one of the most iconic moments of the series.