T.O.P. (탑)

BIGBANG ( 빅뱅)

Fact File

Stage name: T.O.P. (탑) also known as Tempo, Tabi Bingu TOP, TOP
Birth name: Choi Seunghyun (최승현)
Family name: Choi
Born: 4th November 1987, Seoul, South Korea
Age: 24 
Role in BIGBANG: lead rapper, singer, composer, lyricist, record producer

T.O.P. did not have prior contracts with YG before the company wanted to create the group BIGBANG. He was an underground rapper, by the name Tempo and had no idea that YG was wanting members for a new boy group.
 TOP was contacted by G-Dragon, a childhood friend(the leader of BIGBANG), who told him to audition for the group. G-Dragon and TOP worked together on a few Demos and sent them to the CEO of YG. AS a result TOP was asked to come and audition for the group in person but was initially rejected as he was to "chubby" for the ideal idol image. In six months he returned for another audition, having worked hard to lose the weight and was asked to join to group. He supposedly lost 20 kg in 40 days.
TOP was given his stage name, T.O.P., by YG's Se7en and had his first solo song "Big boy" released on BIGBANG's 2007 album.
In 2007 TOP began his solo career, first appearing on other singer's singles, albums and music videos. In the summer of 2007 he became the first member of BIGBANG to venture into acting, by starring in the KBS2 drama, "I am Sam".


T.O.P. I am Sam look

 In late 2008 TOP put his solo career on hold to promote with fellow BIGBANG members, doing so for over a year. After the promoting was finished he returned to acting by portraying an assassin in the TV drama "Iris" as well as playing a lead role with band member Seungri in his first film "My 19".


T.O.P. Iris look

T.O.P. Iris look

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TOP also played a leading role in the Korean war film "71: Into the Fire", which was released in June 2010. He received good reviews on his acting in the film and won many acting awards by the end of the year.

It was also in 2010 that TOP released his hit single "Turn It Up". This was the first Korean song to be released worldwide on Itunes.

In November of 2010 TOP and G-Dragon released a collaboration album with the three main singles peeking one at the top of the chart, one at #2 and the other at #3.

T.O.P. 2006

T.O.P. 2007

T.O.P. 2008

T.O.P. 2009

T.O.P. 2010



T.O.P. 2011

T.O.P. 2011 (GD and T.O.P. album look)

T.O.P. early 2012

T.O.P middle 2012

It is confirmed that TOP will be starring in the new film "Alumni" and is rumoured to also be playing a lead role in a remake of Absolute Boyfriend, a popular Japanese manga. The rumour is yet to be confirmed or denied.

*71: Into The Fire is a fabulous and powerful movie that I suggest you watch. The full film is on YouTube and well subtitled. One of the best films I have seen.*