‘Squid Game’ Creator Explains Why the New Character Is Called Rapper Thanos: “It doesn’t really suit a rapper as a name, it was to design him to be a character fans worldwide could love.”

THwang Dong-hyuk, the creator of “Squid Game,” recently shared why he named a character Thanos in season 2. In an interview on Netflix’s YouTube channel “Still Watching Netflix,” he explained his choice.

He said, “The reason I named the character Thanos… It doesn’t really suit a rapper as a name, was to design him to be a character fans worldwide could love. But I am so grateful he is getting this much love.”

The character, played by Choi Seung-hyun, also known as T.O.P from BigBang, is a rapper in the show. Thanos has purple hair, which might remind people of the Marvel villain with the same name.

Hwang picked the name to make the character popular globally, even though it’s unusual for a rapper. His plan worked—fans have shown a lot of love for Thanos since season 2 came out in December 2024.

Hwang’s goal was clear. He wanted a name that people around the world would recognize. The Marvel character Thanos is famous, and that fame helped make the “Squid Game” Thanos stand out. The rapper’s wild personality and look have added to his appeal.

Naming the character Thanos was a smart move. It connects “Squid Game” to a bigger pop culture world, which draws in more viewers. The name might not fit a rapper at first, but it makes the character memorable. I think it’s a clever way to mix global ideas into the show.

You can watch the whole interview here:

What do you think? Does the name Thanos work for this character? Share your thoughts in the comments below!