T.O.P Profile: The journey of BIG BANG’s main rapper
Discover the profile of T.O.P, the talented rapper, singer, and actor from Big Bang
Who is T.O.P?
Choi Seung-hyun (Korean: 최승현; Hanja: 崔胜贤; born November 4, 1987), also known by his stage name T.O.P, is a South Korean male rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor, famous as a member of the South Korean group Big Bang.
T.O.P has also appeared in several television dramas and films such as I Am Sam (2007), IRIS (2009), Nineteen (2009), 71: Into the Fire (2010), Commitment (2013), Tazza: The Hidden Card (2014), and Out of Control (2017).
In 2010, T.O.P and fellow Big Bang member G-Dragon formed a subunit and released the collaborative album GD & TOP. T.O.P has released two digital singles, “Turn It Up” (2010) and “Doom Dada” (2013), which reached second and fourth positions respectively on the Gaon Chart.
T.O.P’s biography
- Real name: Choi Seung-hyun
- Stage name: T.O.P
- Date of birth: November 4, 1987
- Age: 36 years old (As of 2023)
- Place of birth: Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
- Nationality: South Korean
- Occupation: Rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, actor
- Genres: K-pop, Hip hop
- Years active: 2006-present
- Label: YG Entertainment
- Associated acts: Big Bang, GD & TOP, YG Family
- Height: 1.81m
- Weight: 62kg
- Parents: Choi Bong-am
- Siblings: Choi Hye-yoon
- Instagram: choi_seung_hyun_tttop
T.O.P’s career journey:
Music Career
Before 2006, T.O.P gained fame in the underground community. From 2006 onwards, T.O.P officially debuted with Big Bang as the group’s rapper alongside members such as Taeyang, Seungri, Daesung, and G-Dragon. They are considered one of the most influential music groups today and are among the most famous groups.
After the initial albums and singles with Big Bang, T.O.P began solo activities. He was the first member to venture into acting with the television drama I Am Sam on KBS. T.O.P also became a host on MBC’s Music Core.
In 2008, he collaborated with R&B singer Gummy on the song “I’m Sorry” from her album Comfort. T.O.P then paused his individual activities to focus with Big Bang. After a year promoting the group’s music, he returned to the screen portraying assassin Vick in the South Korean television drama Iris.
His acting talent earned him the Hallyu Popularity Award at the 47th Grand Bell Awards. He also appeared in various films with diverse roles. T.O.P has his own musical style and has a discography with hit songs in K-pop music history.
T.O.P confirmed his departure from YG Entertainment but remains a member of Big Bang. The rapper continues to work with the group if scheduling permits.
Acting Career
T.O.P, a member of Big Bang, has gained recognition not only for his music career but also for his acting roles. Here are some of the roles that have contributed to his fame:
- “I Am Sam” (2007): T.O.P appeared in this television drama, showcasing his early acting skills.
- “IRIS” (2009): He had a role in this popular action-packed television series, which further established his presence as an actor.
- “Nineteen” (2009): T.O.P starred in this coming-of-age film, displaying his versatility as an actor.
- “71: Into the Fire” (2010): His performance in this war drama earned him critical acclaim and showcased his ability to take on challenging roles.
- “Commitment” (2013): T.O.P took on the lead role in this action thriller film, proving his capability as a solo actor outside of group projects.
- “Tazza: The Hidden Card” (2014): He appeared in this gambling-themed film, adding another successful project to his acting portfolio.
- “Out of Control” (2017): T.O.P showcased his acting skills in this Chinese action film, further expanding his reach internationally.
In 2023, T.O.P confirmed to star in Squid Game season 2, attracting attention.
T.O.P’s Personal Life
In 2017, T.O.P began his mandatory military service. After 2 months serving as a police officer, he was notified of his discharge scheduled for November 2018. However, he became involved in a marijuana scandal and was transferred to a different police unit. Additionally, he was suspended from duty pending further investigation.
On June 6, 2017, T.O.P lost consciousness at the police station due to an overdose of benzodiazepines and was hospitalized. At the final court hearing held at the end of July, T.O.P was sentenced to a 2-year suspended prison term and fined 12,000 won. This news came as a shock to many of his fans.
