One of the most buzzworthy characters from Squid Game Season 2 is Thanos, portrayed by South Korean rapper and Bigbang member T.O.P (Choi Seung Hyun). While some viewers love his quirky charm, others find him downright puzzling—especially when he suddenly switches between Korean and English.
Thanos, aka Player 230, stands out with his purple hair, Infinity Stone-inspired nail art, and flamboyant personality. He brings a chaotic energy to the deadly games, often looking unfazed—even high—as other contestants quake with fear. His penchant for using random English phrases, such as, “What’s up, nice to meet you my brother, welcome to the Thanos world,” has sparked curiosity among fans.
Why Does Thanos Use English?
According to Dexerto, Thanos’ use of English is a nod to Korean hip-hop culture, where incorporating English into rap lyrics is a common practice. This trend can be seen in songs by South Korean rappers like Gaeko, Loopy, and RM (of BTS), who frequently drop English words or phrases into their music.
For instance, Gaeko’s Smoke opens with “Light it up,” while RM’s Wild Flower begins with, “Flower field, that’s where I’m at.” This blending of languages adds an international flair to their lyrics, a tactic Thanos seems to emulate throughout the series.
In Korean entertainment, characters often sprinkle in English to convey status or sophistication. On Reddit, fans speculated that Thanos’ English phrases reflect his over-the-top ego. “In certain countries, speaking in English shows you’re more cultured and upper class,” one fan noted. “Since Thanos was a LOT of ego, he was probably speaking in English like that to show off his superiority.”
Others pointed out that T.O.P’s global fan base might have influenced the choice. “TOP is fluent in English,” a Redditor explained. “They probably wanted to humor a western audience since Bigbang already has a pretty big international following.”
A Polarizing Figure
Love him or hate him, Thanos has cemented himself as one of the standout characters in Squid GameSeason 2. Whether it’s his eccentric antics or his mix of languages, he brings an unpredictable energy to the series that keeps fans talking. As one Reddit fan humorously put it, “He’s like the anime weebs who randomly drop Japanese phrases—but Korean.”
Whether you see him as a genius or a clown, one thing’s for sure: Thanos has left his mark on Squid Game, and fans can’t get enough of trying to decode him.
