5 Shocking Truths About Thanos In Squid Game: Did T.O.P. Really Have No Script?

The character known as 'Thanos' in Squid Game Season 2 quickly became one of the most talked-about and controversial figures of the series, sparking a viral rumor that he was essentially "let loose" on set without any scripted lines. This speculation, fueled by the character's chaotic energy and spontaneous-feeling dialogue, particularly his English-language raps and aggressive rallying of other players, led to a massive debate among fans. As of December 14, 2025, the truth behind this unscripted myth is far more nuanced than a simple 'yes' or 'no,' involving a deliberate acting choice that blurred the lines between the script and the actor's real-life persona.

The man behind the moniker is Choi Su-bong, Player 230, portrayed by the famous rapper and actor T.O.P. (Choi Seung-hyun). The intense curiosity surrounding his performance—from his distinctive look to his bizarre interactions—has made the question of whether he had a script a central point of discussion. While the show's production is known for allowing a degree of improvisation, the specific nature of Thanos’s dialogue, which often felt like a series of ad-libs, was a carefully constructed illusion that amplified the character's menace and unpredictability.

Player 230: The Thanos Profile and T.O.P. Biography

The character of Thanos, also known as Player 230, is one of the most memorable new additions to the deadly games in Squid Game Season 2. His on-screen presence is marked by a unique blend of arrogance, showmanship, and underlying menace, which is a direct reflection of the actor who portrays him.

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• Character Name: Choi Su-bong (최수봉)
• Player Number: 230
• Nickname: Thanos (타노스)
• Role in the Game: An aggressive figure who quickly attempts to establish dominance and rally other players, often using his celebrity status as leverage.
• Actor: Choi Seung-hyun (최승현), professionally known as T.O.P. (탑)
• Date of Birth: November 4, 1987
• Birthplace: Seoul, South Korea
• Primary Career: Rapper, singer-songwriter, and actor.
• Most Famous Affiliation: Former member of the globally influential K-Pop boyband BigBang, where he served as the lead rapper.
• Acting Debut: T.O.P. began his acting career in 2007, appearing in various films and dramas before his highly-anticipated role in Squid Game Season 2.
• Controversy: His casting in Squid Game Season 2 was met with both excitement and controversy due to his past legal issues, which added an unexpected layer of meta-commentary to his character's troubled background.

The Viral Rumor: Why Fans Believed Thanos Had No Script

The theory that T.O.P. improvised his entire role as Thanos gained immense traction online almost immediately after the release of Squid Game Season 2. This wasn't a random assumption; it was rooted in several key aspects of the performance that felt genuinely unscripted and spontaneous.

1. The Rapping and English Ad-Libs

Thanos is introduced as a rapper, and his dialogue frequently includes spontaneous bursts of English-language rapping and boastful lines. These moments, such as when he tries to woo female players or intimidate rivals, felt highly characteristic of a freestyle performance rather than a tightly controlled script. T.O.P.'s background as a seasoned rapper lent credibility to the idea that he was simply allowed to "freestyle" his dialogue on the spot.

2. The Over-the-Top Persona

The character's intensity and slightly unhinged bravado were so extreme that they seemed to be a product of the actor being given minimal direction and maximum freedom. Fans and critics alike joked that the director, Hwang Dong-hyuk, had simply pointed the camera at T.O.P. and told him to "be himself," resulting in a performance that was both hilarious and terrifying.

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3. The Meta-Commentary

For those familiar with T.O.P.'s public image and the controversies surrounding him, the character of Thanos—a successful but troubled celebrity now desperate for money—felt like a direct, unvarnished reflection. The lines between the fictional character and the real-life actor seemed deliberately blurred, further strengthening the "no script" narrative.

T.O.P.'s Confession: The Truth Behind the 'Unscripted' Performance

Despite the viral nature of the rumor, the reality of the situation is that Thanos did, in fact, have a script, but T.O.P.'s approach to the role was highly intentional to create the illusion of spontaneity. The actor later clarified his method, explaining that he worked closely with the creative team to develop a performance that felt chaotic and unpredictable.

A Calculated Approach to Chaos

The "no script" theory is largely a myth, but it’s a myth born from successful acting. T.O.P. revealed that his goal was to portray Thanos as a force of nature—a character whose actions and words were driven by pure, raw impulse rather than careful planning. This involved a calculated decision to deliver his lines with an improvised energy, even if the core dialogue was written down. He intentionally sought to make the performance feel "off the cuff" and unpolished, which is a testament to his acting skill.

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The Role of Improvisation in Squid Game

While Thanos's entire role wasn't unscripted, the *Squid Game* production environment is well-known for encouraging improvisation, which made the rumors about Thanos more believable. Several iconic moments from Season 1, including reactions and emotional outbursts, were spontaneous ad-libs by the cast. The show's creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk, is known for giving actors the freedom to experiment and bring their own interpretations to the characters.

• Cast Confidence: Lead actors like Lee Jung-jae (Seong Gi-hun) have confirmed that the cast was confident in improvising, which led to many unscripted moments being kept in the final cut.
• Unscripted Bloopers: Even in Season 2, there are confirmed bloopers and improvised scenes that made it into the show, suggesting the set fostered a creative, flexible atmosphere.
• Thanos’s Unique Freedom: Given the character's role as an erratic celebrity, it is highly likely that T.O.P. was given more creative license than other actors to ad-lib and inject his own flavor into the scripted lines, particularly the rapping and English phrases. This creative freedom is what led to the viral "no script" misconception.

The Impact of the Thanos Character on Season 2

Regardless of whether his lines were written or improvised, the character of Thanos had a profound and immediate impact on Squid Game Season 2. He served several critical narrative and thematic purposes that elevated the season's tension and commentary.

A New Kind of Villainy

Thanos represented a different kind of antagonist compared to the calculated, intellectual threat of Cho Sang-woo (Player 218) from Season 1. Thanos's villainy was based on celebrity entitlement and raw, animalistic aggression. He used his fame and charisma to manipulate the desperate players, highlighting the toxicity of celebrity culture and the seductive power of a strong leader, even a flawed one.

Thematic Depth and Social Commentary

The character’s backstory—a successful rapper whose life has spiraled into financial ruin and desperation—is a sharp piece of social commentary. It underscores the theme that in the face of insurmountable debt, wealth and fame offer no protection. The game is the great equalizer, reducing a global superstar to the level of a common debtor, desperate for the prize money.

The Legacy of Player 230

The enduring rumor about the unscripted performance is now an inseparable part of the Thanos character's legacy. It’s a classic case where the fan perception, driven by the actor’s convincing portrayal and the show's known flexibility, has become almost as famous as the character itself. The truth is that T.O.P. took a scripted role and, through a masterful, intentional performance, made it feel completely unscripted, securing Thanos's place as one of the most polarizing and fascinating figures in the Squid Game universe.