About
BIGBANG is a 3-member boy group formed by YG Entertainment. The group formerly had 5 members, but Seungri retired from showbiz following his “Burning Sun” scandal in 2019, while T.O.P announced his departure from the group in 2023.
The boy group’s music, which is self-produced and majorly embraces the genres of Pop, Hip-Hop, and R&B, earns great popularity both in and out of Korea, with BIGBANG even being hailed as “Kings of Kpop”.
Biography
- Group name: BIGBANG (빅뱅)
- Debut date: August 19, 2006
- Company: YG Entertainment (2006-2024)
- Total members: 3 (formerly 5)
- Members: Taeyang, G-Dragon, Daesung
- Former members: Seungri, T.O.P
- Fandom name: VIP
Official SNS (Korean)
- X: @YG_GlobalVIP
- YouTube: BIGBANG
- Facebook: BIGBANG
- Instagram: @xxxibgdrgn (G-Dragon), @__youngbae__ (Taeyang), @d_lable_official (Daesung)
Career
Pre-debut
Before the official debut of BIGBANG, several members were already exposed to the entertainment industry. G-Dragon and Taeyang have received training under YG since age 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 on the music reality show “Let’s Cokeplay: Mnet Battle Shinhwa”, which aims to create the “2nd generation” of famous 1st gen idol group Shinhwa.
Additionally, BIGBANG members, alongside former BEAST Jang Hyunseung (who was in the original lineup), appeared on the pre-debut show “Big Bang Documentary” from July to August 2006.
Breakthrough & solo ventures
BIGBANG made their official debut on August 19, 2006, during the YG Family’s 10th Anniversary concert at Seoul’s Olympic Gymnastics Arena, and released their 1st single, “BIGBANG”, shortly after. The 2nd single, “BigBang Is V.I.P”, was released in September of the same year.
BIGBANG, who earned massive success quickly after their debut, held their first concert in December of the same year, and released their 1st album “BigBang Vol. 1 – Since 2007” on December 22, 2006.
Following this, BIGBANG quickly became a household name by topping various Korean music charts and earning various awards, ranging from Best Male Group to grand prizes like Song of The Year, Artist of the Year, Digital Record of the Year, and many more, at different award ceremonies.
BIGBANG also earned rapid attention in Japan starting in 2007, eventually dropping their 1st Japanese EP, “For the World” in 2008. The boy group’s popularity also exploded both in Korea and overseas, even being crowned “Kings of Kpop” for their top-notch success
When BIGBANG was on a break in early 2009, members pursued solo activities and individually achieved huge success. They then returned as a group in 2011, this time securing the Best Worldwide Act award at the 2011 MTV EMAs, proving their global influence.
However, in 2013, BIGBANG went on a 2-year hiatus, as G-Dragon – who was majorly 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” (pre-lude to their later album, “MADE”), the first of which topped Billboard’s World Digital Songs, making BIGBANG the 1st K-pop boy group to top the chart and the 2nd Korean artist to occupy the top two slots simultaneously, after “Gangnam Style” artist Psy. Other digital singles and the album “MADE” (which ended up being released in December 2016) also received explosive commercial success.
Re-organization
As members of BIGBANG started to enlist from 2017, BIGBANG began to promote with fewer members, before dropping the track “Flower Road” in 2018 as a goodbye to fans.
However, Seungri got involved in the Burning Sun scandal in 2019, and announced his retirement from the entertainment industry, which also means his departure from BIGBANG. WWithin the same year, other members finished their military services and were preparing for a comeback, but it was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
BIGBANG ended up only returning as a quartet in February 2022 with the single “Still Life”, with no promotional activities. Despite that, the song still achieved phenomenal success
The following year, T.O.P announced that he’s no longer a BIGBANG member, leading to BIGBANG becoming a 3-member group.
In 2023, members’ contract with YG also expired, leaving all remaining members in different agencies. In November 2024, however, the group made a surprise reunion at the 2024 MAMA Awards, with Taeyang and Daesung performing alongside G-Dragon in the latter’s solo segment and featuring in his song “Home Sweet Home”.
Controversies & 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 quickly discarded it after realizing it had a strange taste.
In 2018, G-Dragon sparked controversy again due to his medical leave and frequent hospitalizations during his military service. Despite the Ministry of National Defense and YG Entertainment denying all allegations, G-Dragon still faced severe criticism.
On October 25, 2023, the Seoul police department charged G-Dragon with violating drug management laws but did not detain him. However, later on, the idol was proven innocent.
Meanwhile, regarding his personal life, G-Dragon was suspected of dating several different female celebrities across the year, including Japanese model, Kiko Mizuhara, Wonder Girls’ Sohee, After School’s Jooyeon, BLACKPINK’s Jennie, and Japanese actress Nana Komatsu, who has since gotten 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 assist with the investigation. In August 2011, the Seoul prosecutor’s office dismissed the allegations against Daesung as there was no evidence proving him to be the perpetrator of the fatal accident.
However, Daesung faced immense criticisms and even contemplated suicide after the accident.
In July 2019, some businesses in a building owned by him were arrested for involvement in tax evasion, drugs, and prostitution. Daesung was suspected of aiding and abetting these businesses. 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 alluring, beautiful, and adorable actress Min Hyo-rin. Four years later, in February 2018, the couple held their wedding before Taeyang enlisted in the military.
The couple currently enjoys a blissful marriage, and they have an adorable son.
T.O.P (Full article: T.O.P Profile)
In 2017, T.O.P began his mandatory military service. After 2 months serving as a police officer, he was notified of his discharge scheduled for November 2018. However, he became involved in a marijuana scandal and was transferred to a different police unit. Additionally, he was suspended from duty pending further investigation.
On June 6, 2017, T.O.P lost consciousness at the police station due to an overdose of benzodiazepines and was hospitalized. At the final court hearing held at the end of July, T.O.P was sentenced to a 2-year suspended prison term and fined.
T.O.P was also suspected of dating notorious K-pop trainee Han Seo-hee, and previously faced dating rumors with a Chinese actress.
Seungri (Full article: Seungri Profile)
Seungri was involved in “Burning Sun” scandal, which caused him to face a 5-year prison sentence with 8 charges, including:
- Procuring prostitution
- Illegal gambling
- Violating exchange laws
- Foreign exchange
- Trafficking in and using drugs
- Assault
- Tax evasion
The Military Court of the Ground Combat Command officially announced Seungri’s sentence after numerous hearings. The judge fully acknowledged all accusations against the former Big Bang member and sentenced him to 3 years in prison. Additionally, 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 once during a trip to Bali.
Discography
Korean
- Studio albums
BIGBANG Vol.1 (2006)
Remember (2008)
MADE (2016)
- Live albums
The Real (1st Live Concert) (2007)
The Great (2nd Live Concert) (2008)
Big Show 2009 BIGBANG Live Concert Album (2009)
Big Show 2010 BIGBANG Live Concert Album (2010)
Big Show 2011 BIGBANG Live Concert Album (2011)
2012 BIGBANG Live Concert: Alive Tour in Seoul (2013)
2013 BIGBANG Alive Galaxy Tour – The Final in Seoul (2013)
2014 BIGBANG +α in Seoul (2014)
2016 BIGBANG World Tour “MADE” Final in Seoul Live (2016)
BIGBANG10 The Concert 0.TO.10 in Seoul (2017)
BIGBANG10 The Concert 0.TO.10 Final in Seoul (2017)
- Mini albums
Always (2007)
Hot Issue (2007)
Stand Up (2008)
Tonight (2011)
BIGBANG Special Edition (repackage) (2011)
Alive (2012)
Still Alive (repackage) (2012)
- Single albums
“BIGBANG” (2006)
“BIGBANG is V.I.P” (2006)
“BIGBANG 03” (2006)
“M” (2015)
“A” (2015)
“D” (2015)
“E” (2015)
- Digital singles
“Flower Road” (2018)
“Still Life” (2022)
Promotional singles
“FILA Limited Edition with BIGBANG” (2008)
“Lollipop” (with 2NE1) (2009)
“So Fresh, So Cool” (2009)
“Lollipop Pt.2” (2010)
Japanese
- Studio albums
Number 1 (2008)
BIGBANG (2009)
BIGBANG 2 (2011)
Alive (2012)
Alive (Monster Edition)(repackage) (2012)
MADE Series (2016)
- Best albums
Asia Best 2006-2009 (2009)
The Ultimate (2011)
The Best of BIGBANG (2011)
BIGBANG Best Selection (2012)
BIGBANG Best Collection (Korea Edition) (2013)
The Best of BIGBANG 2006-2014 (2014)
- Live albums
BIGBANG “Love & Hope Tour 2011” (2011)
BIGBANG Alive Tour 2012 in Japan Special Final in 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 Concert 0.TO.10 in Japan (2016)
BIGBANG10 The Concert 0.TO.10 The Final (2017)
BIGBANG Special Event 2017 (2018)
BIGBANG Japan Dome Tour 2017 “Last Dance” (2018)
BIGBANG Japan Dome Tour 2017 “Last Dance”: The Final (2018)
- Mini albums
For the World (2008)
With You (2008)
Special Final in Dome Memorial Collection (2012)
- Singles
“My Heaven” (2009)
“Gara Gara GO!!” (2009)
“Let Me Hear Your Voice” (2009)
“Tell Me Goodbye” (2010)
“Beautiful Hangover” (2010)
Source: NamuWiki, fandom
