BIGBANG Choi Seung-hyun (T.O.P) Biography: Profile, Net Worth 2025, Career, Acting, and Family

Better known by his stage as T.O.P, Choi Seung-hyun is a multi-hyphenate South Korean star who has made a lasting impression on the entertainment business as an artist, rapper, singer-songwriter, and actor. Originally born in Seoul, South Korea, on November 4, 1987, T.O.P became well-known worldwide as a member of the venerable K-pop group BIGBANG, sometimes regarded as one of the most powerful performances in the annals of Korean pop music. Beyond his musical prowess, he has developed a reputation as a refined art collector and a successful actor. With his changing profession and mysterious persona, T.O.P. will enthrall audiences all across as of 2025. This page explores his biography, career highlights, projected net worth in 2025, and personal life.

Early Life and Background:

Choi Seung-hyun came from a middle-class Seoul, South Korea family. Born in 1982, his elder sister Choi Hye-yoon grew up with him and they have a tight relationship. Seung-hyun showed early musical enthusiasm, especially for hip-hop, which drove him to investigate the underground rap scene under the name "Tempo." He befriended fellow BIGBANG member and close friend Kwon Ji-yong at this time, who would subsequently become G-Dragon. Often rapping together, the two developed a friendship that would help to define their futures.
Seung-hyun had difficulties early on even with his musical bent. Originally turned away for being "too chubby" to meet the idealized image of a K-pop idol, he auditioned for one of South Korea's top music companies, YG Entertainment. Not daunted, he dropped about 20 kg (44 pounds) and proved his tenacity and will by making a strong debut with BIGBANG in 2006.

K-pop Career with BIGBANG:

T.O.P’s journey to stardom began when he joined BIGBANG, a five-member boy group formed by YG Entertainment, alongside G-Dragon, Taeyang, Daesung, and Seungri. The group debuted on August 19, 2006, and quickly rose to prominence with their unique blend of hip-hop, pop, and R&B. T.O.P served as the primary rapper, offering a distinctive deep voice and dynamic stage presence that marked him apart in the K-pop scene.
BIGBANG’s breakthrough came in 2007 with the release of their smash single "Lies," which topped Korean charts and positioned them as a force in the developing Korean Wave. Over the years, the group created multiple chart-topping albums and singles, including "Haru Haru," "Fantastic Baby," "Bang Bang Bang," and "Flower Road." Reiterating their worldwide impact, their 2016 album Made topped the U.S. World charts, Japan, and Korea.
T.O.P contributed greatly to BIGBANG’s popularity, co-writing lyrics for songs including "Bad Boy," "Fantastic Baby," and "Fxxk It," garnering over 50 composition credits. In 2010, during a group sabbatical, he teamed up with G-Dragon to create the collaborative album GD & TOP, which topped Korean charts with hits including "High High" and "Knock Out." T.O.P. showcased his adaptability and distinctive rap technique by releasing digital singles "Turn It Up" (2010) and "Doom Dada" (2013), as a solo artist.
Still, his time with BIGBANG was not without difficulties. T.O.P. was probed for marijuana use in 2017, leading to a well reported scandal that resulted in a two-year probationary term and suspension from his mandatory military duty. Having served as a public servant, he was let go in July 2019. Though he showed ongoing support for his former colleagues, T.O.P formally announced his leaving from BIGBANG on May 31, 2023, focusing on solo activities.

Acting Career:

Beyond music, T.O.P. is gifted in acting; he has received critical praise and broke the "idol-actor" stigma in South Korea. 2007 saw his acting debut in a supporting part in the drama I Am Sam. 2009 saw him more well-known for his part in the spy series Iris, which attracted a devoted fanbase.
With his performance of a student soldier in the war film 71: Into the Fire, which won him several prizes including Best New Actor at the Baeksang Arts prizes and Blue Dragon Film Awards making him one of the first K-pop idols to reach such prominence in acting his film career got off steam in 2010. Later performances in films include Tazza: The Hidden Card (2014) and Commitment (2013) highlighted his range by fusing nuance with intensity.
With his performance as Thanos (Player 230) in Squid Game Season 2 on Netflix in 2024, T.O.P made much awaited comeback to acting. Representing a colorful, purple-haired rapper caught in a crypto fraud, he gave the internationally praised show new vitality. Though his past scandal caused early criticism, his performance was much appreciated, signifying a successful return and thereby supporting his reputation as a flexible performer.

Net Worth for 2025:

Although sources indicate T.O.P. fluctuates between $23 million and $40 million USD, determining T.O.P.'s net worth as of 2025 requires some conjecture given different reports. His fortune comes from several sources: solo ventures, acting gigs, BIGBANG's music business, and profitable sponsorships.
According to Forbes, BIGBANG's group allegedly made $44 million overall in 2016 alone, with T.O.P's part helping greatly to shape his wealth during the group's height. His revenue has been further increased by his solo songs, playing roles in Squid Game, and brand endorsements including Cass Beer, Calvin Klein, and Reebok. According to reports, he asks for six-month endorsement contracts about $500,000.
The extravagant way T.O.P. lives reflects his riches. He owns a vineyard in Argentina creating thousands of bottles of wine yearly and a mansion in Yongsan, Seoul, valued at more than $3 million. His financial situation is highlighted by having a Hyundai Black Card, a status symbol only reserved for Korea's elite with a minimum asset threshold of $8.3 million. His love of art has also driven him to make significant purchases of works by artists like Andy Warhol and David Hockney; some estimates have his collection expenditure at 95% of his income.
With space for development as T.O.P. keeps diversifying his career, his net worth in 2025 most likely leans toward the upper end of the $23–$40 million range, considering his recent acting success and possible new music endeavors hinted at in 2024.

Family and Personal Life:

Though certain information about his family is public, T.O.P has a quite discreet personal life. Often identifying his mother as the first person he contacts with news, he is close to his parents and older sister, Choi Hye-yoon. Though well-known, he has kept romantic relationships hidden from the public view and, as of 2025, he is still single without any known partner or child.
T.O.P. is a passionate collector of art, having organized well-publicized events such the 2016 TOP Charity Auction with Sotheby's, so generating money for the Asian Cultural Council. His passion of art, furniture design he's dubbed a "furniture crazed" by fans and philanthropy like gifts to the Seung Il Hope Foundation expose a careful side to his image. He has also shown contempt for the "K-pop" label, preferring to see his work as boundary-breaking art.

Legacy and Future:

From an underground rapper to a worldwide sensation, Choi Seung-hyun's path is evidence of his talent and tenacity. While his acting honors defied stereotypes for idols in movies, his contributions to BIGBANG helped reshape K-pop. T.O.P. sits at a crossroads as of April 4, 2025, with fans excitedly expecting fresh songs hinted to in late 2024 and additional acting endeavors.
T.O.P. is still a towering presence in entertainment with a net worth that reflects his multifarious success, family grounding him, and legacy spanning music, film, and art. Whether he's writing songs, mesmerizing on film, or creating masterpieces, Choi Seung-hyun keeps changing and influences the world scene.