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Indian Express
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
K-pop group, once bigger than BTS, lost everything to controversy but never disbanded
Today, the world knows BTS as the face of K-pop, a seven-member boy band dubbed South Korea's soft power, single-handedly boosting the country's tourism and global influence. But before BTS, before BLACKPINK, Stray Kids, SEVENTEEN, and any group selling out arenas across the U.S. and beyond, there was, and still is, a second-generation K-pop group that rewrote the rules. BIGBANG, the five-member boy band, didn't just perform, they created. They were the first to bring self-written songs and original compositions to the idol scene, pushing the second wave of Hallyu across Asia and even into the West. Often called the 'Kings of K-pop,' they introduced lightstick culture, changed the fandom game, and were hailed as creative geniuses. But one by one, YG Entertainment's crown jewels got dragged into controversy. Each member took a hit, and the group slipped into an indefinite hiatus. Also read: BTS' Suga mobilises global ARMY to raise over 200 million won in 24 hours with one quiet, heartfelt gesture In South Korea, BIGBANG, originally comprising of G-Dragon (Kwon Ji Yong), Taeyang (Dong Young Bae), Daesung (Kang Dae Sung), Seungri (Lee Seung hyun, retired), and T.O.P (Choi Seung hyun, now officially out), are still considered one of the most influential groups, with some even placing their impact above BTS. While all members have launched solo careers, most are still stronger than half the K-pop groups out there. It's wild that the group never disbanded. They went on hiatus in 2018, but fans, aka V.I.P, are still holding out for a comeback. BIGBANG was YG Entertainment's first idol group, launched when the agency was already a major player, unlike BTS, who debuted under BigHit, a label barely known back then. So that comparison doesn't hold. But, in today's world, where RM, Suga, and J-Hope are praised for their songwriting and producing, it was G-Dragon who started that fire first. BIGBANG debuted with a sharp hip-hop influence, bold for its time, and quickly stood out. They weren't just about music; their fashion smashed boundaries. Stage presence, unmatched. Songs, ubiquitous. And their fandom is still ride-or-die since their debut. Also read: BTS' Suga hit with TV ban petition over 'dangerous influence' after DUI case BIGBANG's rise peaked from the mid-2000s to the early 2010s. Back then, only those with a real ear for music knew what they were witnessing. Stats don't lie: of the 18 domestic singles they dropped since the Circle Chart was created in 2010, 11 hit at number 1. The rest, no. 2 or no. 3, are usually blocked by their own song already sitting at the top. Before BIGBANG, concertgoers used to show support for their idol groups through colourful balloons. G-Dragon reportedly designed the 'Bang Bong' in 2006 as a unique symbol to spot their fans, called the This invention sparked a new trend of every K-pop group having its own official lightstick. Before BIGBANG, it was also rare, almost impossible, for a group member to pursue a solo career, but they opened the floodgates. Particularly G-Dragon and Taeyang, who launched a highly successful solo venture, with Heartbreaker and Wedding Dress. The group was also the first to hold a large-scale global world tour, BIGBANG's Alive Galaxy Tour in 2012–2013, extending to North and South America. The group debuted in 2006, and after over a decade, when they were finally at the peak of their career, it all started crashing down. Daesung's car accident: In 2011, Daesung was involved in a car accident that reportedly claimed the life of a motorcyclist, who was said to have already been lying on the road before the incident. The court ruled in Daesung's favour, he was acquitted, as it was deemed that the individual had died before the collision. He was only fined for speeding. The singer had to take a hiatus for self-reflection. In 2019, he was struck again when reports surfaced that one of his buildings was dragged into the Burning Sun scandal, over allegations that it housed illegal entertainment businesses, including those suspected of prostitution. T.O.P's drug usage: T.O.P made his successful comeback with Squid Game, but his drug use derailed his career, and he was forced to leave BIGBANG. He was indicted for smoking marijuana with a female trainee. He was found guilty and sentenced to 10 months of suspended prison time. G-Dragon's marijuana use, plagiarism, and special treatment: G-Dragon, as the leader of the group and still one of the most influential K-pop stars with a strong solo career, was hit with charges of marijuana use. He denied the claims, saying he took a drag from someone and didn't know it was marijuana. His solo debut track 'Heartbreaker' also faced plagiarism allegations. During his military service, some even accused him of receiving preferential treatment. G-Dragon was recently investigated again for alleged drug use, but was let go due to insufficient evidence. Seungri (The Burning Sun scandal and the most devastating): This remains the biggest controversy yet. It ended with Seungri's retirement from entertainment and eventual jail time. He officially left BIGBANG in 2019. The allegations centred around the Burning Sun nightclub, where Seungri was a director and part-owner.
Korea Herald
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Jisoo of Blackpink moves quietly, but makes it count
While fellow Blackpink members have frequently made headlines with high-profile solo ventures, Jisoo has been steadily building her own empire behind the scenes. Concerns were raised earlier this year following reviews critical of her performance in the TV series "Newtopia" and the lukewarm global response to her solo debut EP "Amortage" in February. Her limited public appearances outside of official engagements have also fueled perceptions that she is less active than Jennie, Lisa and Rose. Beneath her quiet exterior, however, Jisoo has emerged as a top performer, both commercially and artistically, often outpacing her peers in less visible yet impactful ways. As of April, Jisoo is the best-selling female K-pop soloist on the Circle Chart, with cumulative solo album sales exceeding 2 million. Her debut physical single "Me" sold over 1.5 million copies, while her latest EP "Amortage" added another 462,057. "Me" holds the record for the best-selling album by a female soloist on the chart as of December. Jisoo has released just six solo tracks — including her 2023 debut single "Flower" and the 2025 lead single "Earthquake" — but their sales surpass even those of veteran artists. IU, one of Korea's most prominent female singer-songwriters who debuted in 2008, ranks No. 2 with approximately 1.84 million in cumulative album sales. Among Blackpink members, Rose and Lisa follow at No. 4 and No. 6, with 1.5 million and 1 million albums sold, respectively. Jisoo also completed her first solo tour last month. From March 14 to 30, she held "2025 Fan Edition: Jisoo Asia Tour – Lights, Love, Action!" in seven Asian cities -- Manila, Bangkok, Tokyo, Macao, Taipei, Hong Kong and Hanoi. While the tour consisted of fan-meeting-style events rather than full concert performances, it marked the highest number of solo appearances among the Blackpink members since their 2023 departure from YG Entertainment. Jennie and Lisa have each held five solo concerts so far, while Rose has yet to launch an official tour. Jisoo is also the most active actor of the group — even though her acting continues to draw mixed reactions. She recently starred in the original series "Newtopia," which aired on Coupang Play and Amazon Prime Video from Feb. 7 to March 21. While reviews of her performance were divided — with praise for her on-screen charm and criticism of the lack of emotional depth — the show was a commercial success. Within 10 days of its premiere, it became the most-watched series on Coupang Play and entered Amazon Prime Video's Top 10 rankings in 54 countries. Jisoo's star power continues to carry weight in the acting world. Jisoo is confirmed to appear in the fantasy action film "The Prophet: Omniscient Reader," set to premiere in July, as well as in Netflix's upcoming romantic comedy series "Boyfriend on Demand." By contrast, Jennie and Lisa have taken on single supporting roles in HBO's "The Idol" (2023) and "The White Lotus Season 3" (2025), respectively. Rose has not appeared in a drama or film. In the world of fashion, Jisoo is recognized as a global ambassador for the French luxury houses Dior and Cartier. She also endorses a range of international brands, including Dyson, Alo Yoga and Tommy Hilfiger. In February, she launched her official fan platform app, Jisoo, which offers exclusive content, including personal photos, videos and an activity calendar. Within two months, the app recorded over 100,000 downloads on the Google Play Store. 'Compared to other Blackpink members, she may appear quieter and less visible in the public eye — but Jisoo is one of the most hardworking and successful artists today,' said an entertainment official on Tuesday.
South China Morning Post
15-03-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
K-pop's G-Dragon is proving his ‘super idol' status with chart-toppers, sell-out shows
K-pop icon G-Dragon is reclaiming his throne with record-breaking success across music, television and live performances. Advertisement Since releasing his solo track 'Power' in October, the artist has dominated digital music charts, sold out massive concerts and drawn widespread attention through his first leading role on a variety show. His comeback has earned him a new nickname in the music industry, 'super idol'. In the current digital music landscape, it is G-Dragon versus G-Dragon. His song 'Home Sweet Home', which dethroned Blackpink's Rosé's hit 'APT' in late November, continues to maintain its high chart position. His latest release, 'Too Bad', is now competing for the top spot, while 'Power' also remains in the upper chart ranks. Ubermensch, his first studio album in 11 years, debuted at No 2 on Korean music chart platform Circle Chart's album ranking, selling 440,000 copies in its first week.
