2024 was a memorable year for K-pop, characterized by ups and downs. Earlier this year, audiences grew tired of HYBE, the major entertainment conglomerate, due to its “talent crisis,” especially after LE SSERAFIM’s disastrous performance at Coachella. Just as this crisis began to subside, HYBE unleashed a power struggle over the management of Min Hee-jin, the mastermind behind NewJeans. This drama, still unresolved, has highlighted numerous dark sides of the Korean entertainment industry.
K-pop has remained mired in scandals ranging from lawsuits, cookie-cutter music, talentless idols, plagiarism and exploitation by entertainment companies. Then, in late October 2024, G-Dragon shook up the music scene with his single “Power,” paving the way for his next full-length album. His return was a seismic event, reshaping the face of K-pop during its time of crisis.
The biggest moment of G-Dragon’s comeback this year was his decision to perform at MAMA 2024. Just one day before the event, on November 23, he reunited BIGBANG as a trio, releasing the song “Home Sweet Home “. Surprisingly, MAMA organizer Mnet, which has had a decade-long feud with YG Entertainment since G-Dragon publicly criticized them in a rap slur at the 2014 event, had to “make peace” with him to reignite the prestige of entertainment awards.
During its 14 minute and 17 second special stage, G-Dragon and BIGBANG made waves across Asia. Mnet also introduced a new award category, Visionary of the Year, to honor G-Dragon, lauding him with 12 titles, including Musician, Producer, Creator, Leader, Ambassador, Professor, Performer, Songwriter, Superstar, Maestro, Topliner and Leader.
The video of the performance uploaded by Mnet garnered nearly 35 million views in just two weeks, becoming a “national chatroom” where South Koreans continuously shared updates and life stories. Mnet has capitalized on this momentum by releasing a wave of related content, from celebrity reactions to roundups of praise for MAMA 2024’s most explosive performance.
G-Dragon has demonstrated a profound influence in South Korea, not only in music but in all aspects of life, especially during a time of social turbulence. His song “Home Sweet Home” has dominated all Korean music charts and is on the verge of achieving a Perfect All-Kill after his performance at MAMA.
But MAMA is not the end. Recently, G-Dragon confirmed his participation in the SBS Gayo Daejeon 2024 year-end music festival on December 25, where he will perform together with YG youth such as 2NE1, BABYMONSTER and Treasure. SBS positioned G-Dragon as the “final boss” of the festival, highlighting his name in promotional material and also giving him a special mention on ticketing platforms. The event is shaping up to be more like G-Dragon’s personal concert, a privilege rarely afforded to any artist other than him.
After a seven-year hiatus, G-Dragon has made an impactful return through two major music events and two chart-topping singles in just over a month. Korean media also reported that he is set to launch his own variety show, featuring star-studded guests such as Kim Soo-hyun, Jung Hae-in, Taeyang, Daesung, SEVENTEEN’s BSS and aespa. With such a flurry of activity, G-Dragon is not only reviving his golden era, but also showing the world what the golden age of K-pop was truly like.
Currently, G-Dragon, Rosé and aespa – representing entertainment giants YG and SM – are topping the Korean music charts. Fans are reminded of the “core essence” of K-pop. In China, discussions about G-Dragon and the golden era of K-pop have dominated trending topics. Chinese Internet users exclaimed: “We may be in the fifth generation of K-pop, but BIGBANG’s dominance in China is absolute. No one can dispute it!“
