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BIGBANG is a 3-member boy group formed by YG Entertainment. The group previously had 5 members, but Seungri retired from showbiz following the “Burning Sun” scandal in 2019, while TOP announced his departure from the group in 2023.
The boy group’s music, which is self-produced and mainly spans pop, hip-hop and R&B genres, gains great popularity both inside and outside Korea, with BIGBANG even being hailed as the “Kings of Kpop”.
Biography
- Group Name: BIGBANG (Big Bang)
- Debut date: August 19, 2006
- Company: YG Entertainment (2006-2024)
- Total members: 3 (formerly 5)
- Members: Taeyang, G-Dragon, Daesung
- Former members: Seungri, TOP
- Fandom Name: VIP
Official SNS (Korean)
Career
Pre-debut
Before BIGBANG’s official debut, several members had already entered the entertainment industry. G-Dragon and Taeyang have been trained with YG since the age of 11. At the time, when YG approached G-Dragon with a boy group project, he contacted his childhood friend T.O.P., who was already an underground rapper with the stage name “Tempo” at the time.
Meanwhile, Seungri once appeared in the music reality show “Let’s Cokeplay: Mnet Battle Shinhwa,” which aims to create the “2nd generation” of the famous first-generation idol group Shinhwa.
Additionally, BIGBANG members, along with former BEAST Jang Hyunseung (who was in the original lineup), appeared in the pre-debut show “Big Bang Documentary” from July to August 2006.
Revolutionary and solitary undertakings
BIGBANG made their official debut on August 19, 2006, during the YG Family’s 10th anniversary concert at the Olympic Gymnastics Arena in Seoul, and released their first single, “BIGBANG”, shortly after. The second single, “BigBang Is VIP”, was released in September of the same year.
BIGBANG, who achieved huge success immediately after their debut, held their first concert in December of the same year and released their first album “BigBang Vol. 1 – Since 2007” on December 22, 2006.
Afterwards, BIGBANG quickly became a household name by topping various Korean music charts and winning various awards, ranging from Best Male Group to major awards such as Song of the Year, Artist of the Year, Digital Record of the Year and many more, at various award ceremonies.
BIGBANG also quickly gained attention in Japan starting in 2007, eventually releasing their first Japanese EP, “For the World” in 2008. The boy group’s popularity exploded both in Korea and abroad, even being crowned “Kings of Kpop” for their top-notch hit
When BIGBANG was on hiatus in early 2009, the members embarked on solo activities and individually achieved enormous success. They then returned as a group in 2011, this time picking up the Best Worldwide Act award at the 2011 MTV EMAs, demonstrating their global influence.
However, in 2013, BIGBANG took a 2-year hiatus, as G-Dragon, who was primarily responsible for the group’s songs, experienced a “career slump” and was unable to find musical inspiration.
In 2015, they returned with the special project singles “M”, “A”, “D” and “E” (a prelude to their follow-up album, “MADE”), the former of which reached the top of the World Digital chart Billboard Songs. making BIGBANG the first K-pop boy group to top the chart and the second Korean artist to occupy the top two positions simultaneously, after “Gangnam Style” artist Psy. Other digital singles and the album “MADE” (released in December 2016) also achieved explosive commercial success.
Reorganization
When BIGBANG members began to enlist starting in 2017, BIGBANG began promoting with fewer members, before dropping the song “Flower Road” in 2018 as a farewell to fans.
However, Seungri was involved in the Burning Sun scandal in 2019 and announced his retirement from the entertainment industry, which also means his departure from BIGBANG. That same year, other members finished their military service and were preparing for a return, but the return was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
BIGBANG returned as a quartet only in February 2022 with the single “Still Life”, without promotional activities. Despite this, the song still achieved phenomenal success
The following year, TOP announced that he was no longer a member of BIGBANG, leading to BIGBANG becoming a 3-member group.
The members’ contract with YG also expired in 2023, leaving all remaining members at different agencies. In November 2024, however, the group had a surprise reunion at the 2024 MAMA Awards, with Taeyang and Daesung performing alongside G-Dragon on the latter’s solo segment and his song “Home Sweet Home”.
Controversies and personal life
G-Dragon (Full Article: G-Dragon Profile)
In mid-2011, G-Dragon was caught smoking marijuana in Japan. He explained that he received “a cigarette from someone he didn’t know at a party” and immediately discarded it after realizing it tasted strange.
In 2018, G-Dragon again attracted controversy due to his medical leave and frequent hospital stays during his military service. Although the Ministry of National Defense and YG Entertainment denied all allegations, G-Dragon still faced severe criticism.
On October 25, 2023, the Seoul Police Department charged G-Dragon with violating drug handling laws but did not arrest him. However, later, the idol was proven innocent.
Meanwhile, regarding his personal life, G-Dragon was suspected of dating several female celebrities over the year, including Japanese model Kiko Mizuhara, Wonder Girls’ Sohee, After School’s Jooyeon, BLACKPINK’s Jennie, and Japanese actress Nana Komatsu, whom he has since married.
Daesung (Full article: Daesung Profile)
In May 2011, Daesung was suspected of causing a fatal accident near the Yanghwa Bridge area while driving his car. He had to suspend his activities for six months to cooperate with the investigation. In August 2011, the Seoul Prosecutor’s Office dismissed the charges against Daesung as there was no evidence to prove that he was the perpetrator of the fatal crash.
However, Daesung faced immense criticism and even contemplated suicide after the incident.
In July 2019, some businesses in a building he owned were arrested for involvement in tax evasion, drugs and prostitution. Daesung was suspected of aiding and abetting these activities. In early 2020 he was declared innocent by the court.
Taeyang (Full Article: Taeyang Profile)
In May 2015, Taeyang publicly announced his relationship with the attractive, beautiful and lovely actress Min Hyo-rin. Four years later, in February 2018, the couple had their wedding before Taeyang joined the army.
The couple currently enjoys a happy marriage and they have an adorable son.
TOP (Full article: TOP profile)
In 2017 TOP began compulsory military service. After serving as a police officer for 2 months, he was notified of his scheduled discharge in November 2018. However, he became involved in a marijuana scandal and was transferred to another police unit. Furthermore, he has been suspended from duty pending further investigation.
On June 6, 2017, TOP lost consciousness at the police station due to a benzodiazepine overdose and was admitted to hospital. At the final hearing held at the end of July, TOP was sentenced to 2 years’ suspended prison sentence and a fine.
T.O.P was also suspected of dating infamous K-pop trainee Han Seo-hee, and had previously faced dating rumors with a Chinese actress.
Seungri (Full article: Seungri profile)
Seungri was involved in the “Burning Sun” scandal, which left him facing a 5-year prison sentence on 8 charges, including:
- Procuring prostitution
- Illegal gambling
- Violate foreign exchange laws
- Change
- Trafficking and consumption of narcotic substances
- Assault
- Tax evasion
The Military Tribunal of the Ground Combat Command officially announced Seungri’s sentence after numerous hearings. The judge fully recognized all charges against the former Big Bang member and sentenced him to 3 years in prison. Furthermore, he was fined over 1.15 billion won.
Meanwhile, Seungri was suspected of dating Yoo Hye-won. Dispatch also accused the former male idol of dating two women at the same time during a trip to Bali.
Discography
Korean
BIGBANGVol.1 (2006)
Remember (2008)
DONE (2016)
The Real (first live concert) (2007)
The Great (2nd live concert) (2008)
Big Show 2009 Live Concert Album BIGBANG (2009)
Big Show 2010 Live Concert Album BIGBANG (2010)
Big Show 2011 Live Concert Album BIGBANG (2011)
BIGBANG Live Concert 2012: Live Tour in Seoul (2013)
2013 BIGBANG Alive Galaxy Tour – The Final in Seoul (2013)
2014 BIGBANG +α in Seoul (2014)
BIGBANG World Tour 2016 “MADE” Finale in Seoul Live (2016)
BIGBANG10 The 0.TO.10 Concert in Seoul (2017)
BIGBANG10 The Finale of 0.TO.10 Concert in Seoul (2017)
Always (2007)
Hot Issue (2007)
Arise (2008)
Tonight (2011)
BIGBANG Special Edition (Repackage) (2011)
Alive (2012)
Still Alive (repackage) (2012)
“BIGBANG” (2006)
“BIGBANG is VIP” (2006)
“BIGBANG 03” (2006)
“M” (2015)
“A” (2015)
“D” (2015)
“E” (2015)
“The road of flowers” (2018)
“Still Life” (2022)
Promotional singles
“FILA Limited Edition with BIGBANG” (2008)
“Lollipop” (with 2NE1) (2009)
“So Fresh, So Beautiful” (2009)
“Lollipop Part 2” (2010)
Japanese
Number 1 (2008)
BIGBANG (2009)
BIGBANG 2 (2011)
Alive (2012)
Alive (Monster Edition) (repackage) (2012)
MADE Series (2016)
Best Asia 2006-2009 (2009)
The Last (2011)
The Best of BIGBANG (2011)
BIGBANG Best Selection (2012)
BIGBANG Best Collection (Korean Edition) (2013)
The Best of BIGBANG 2006-2014 (2014)
BIGBANG “Love & Hope Tour 2011” (2011)
BIGBANG Alive Tour 2012 in Japan, special finale at Dome (2013)
BIGBANG Japan Dome Tour 2013-2014 (2014)
BIGBANG Japan Dome Tour 2014-2015 “X” (2015)
BIGBANG World Tour 2015-2016 “MADE” in Japan (2016)
BIGBANG World Tour 2015-2016 “MADE” in Japan: the final (2016)
BIGBANG10 The 0.TO.10 concert in Japan (2016)
BIGBANG10 The Concert 0.TO.10 The Finale (2017)
BIGBANG 2017 Special Event (2018)
BIGBANG Japan Dome Tour 2017 “Last Dance” (2018)
BIGBANG Japan Dome Tour 2017 “Last Dance”: The Finale (2018)
For the World (2008)
With You (2008)
Special finale in the Dome Memorial Collection (2012)
“My Paradise” (2009)
“Better, better GO!!” (2009)
“Let me hear your voice” (2009)
“Say Goodbye” (2010)
“Beautiful Hangover” (2010)
Source: NamuWiki, fandom.com
