G-Dragon’s Comeback Shakes Gen Z: A Legend Returns, But Is He ‘Too Old’ for the Game?

On February 25, G-Dragon dropped his third solo studio album, “Übermensch,” his first since “COUP D’ETAT” in 2013. The album consists of eight tracks, including the title track TOO BAD (feat. Anderson .Paak), along with previously released singles POWER and HOME SWEET HOME, as well as new songs like DRAMA, IBELONGIIU, TAKE ME, BONAMANA, and GYRO-DROP.

A Lighthearted Comeback or a Letdown?

Of these, TOO BAD has sparked the most mixed reactions. A groovy, funk-infused hip-hop track, its catchy chorus: “Baby girl! Too bad for me / There you go! Toot that! / As for me? All I want is in arm’s reach / Break me off! Passionately” has drawn both praise and criticism. Fans who expected a high-energy, grandiose production after a decade-long wait may find the song surprisingly lighthearted.

The album as a whole leans more toward playfulness and ease rather than deep, weighty themes. While DRAMA delivers some emotional depth, the overall vibe is breezy and effortless. Rather than forcing an exaggerated, high-energy performance to compensate for his long hiatus, G-Dragon seems to have embraced his current artistic sensibility.

Controversial Lyrics: Provocative or Outdated?

However, his lyrics have sparked debate over their suggestive nature. Lines from TOO BAD: “Holding hands softly, clap clap, cheek to cheek” / “Half-lidded eyes, G’azm rising” / “MBTI is SEXY TYPE, so be my sexy” have been criticized as both provocative and outdated. Other tracks have drawn similar reactions: BONAMANA includes lines like “Having fun without your man knowing” / “Get on top, rub me, push me hard, scream girl,” while IBELONGIIU features lyrics such as “One bed, two lovers, heart-fluttering, breathtaking silhouette” / “Day or night, does it even matter?”

At 36 years old (born in 1988), G-Dragon is hardly writing lyrics that are inappropriate for his age. While the suggestiveness of his words is understandable, some argue that it feels outdated. Given his long-standing preference for double entendres in hip-hop lyrics, what might have once been considered clever wordplay now risks sounding like a “dad joke” to younger listeners. But does this mean hip-hop’s signature wordplay is outdated?

Perhaps Gen Z listeners unfamiliar with G-Dragon’s style or those whose expectations were sky-high are quick to judge his lyrics as “old-fashioned” simply because they don’t align with their personal tastes. Some have even accused him of being “frozen in time,” as if he’s still stuck in the early 2000s. However, this album remains unmistakably G-Dragon. While the melodies and moods have evolved to reflect his 2025 sensibilities, his signature lyrical fingerprint remains unchanged.

G-Dragon’s Unshakable Legacy

Regardless of the criticism, G-Dragon has once again proven his status as a “living legend.” TOO BAD soared to No. 1 on real-time music charts like Melon, Genie, Bugs, and Vibe within hours of release. By February 25, the track had topped Melon and Bugs’ daily charts, and every other song on Ubermensch ranked high on real-time and daily charts. The album also debuted at No. 1 on iTunes’ Worldwide Album Chart and No. 7 on Apple Music’s Worldwide Album Chart. On YouTube’s trending list, TOO BAD peaked at No. 2, while DRAMA reached No. 3.

Sales figures further cemented G-Dragon’s dominance. On Hanteo Chart, Ubermensch surpassed 620,000 copies on its first day, landing at No. 1 on the daily album chart. Meanwhile, the TOO BAD music video amassed 5.5 million views in just 24 hours, with DRAMA reaching 3.7 million. Within three days, TOO BAD was closing in on 10 million views, proving that, love it or hate it, G-Dragon’s impact remains undeniable.