Latest news with #G-Dragon
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
G-Dragon REACTS to allegations that BTS's J-Hope ‘copied' him
After BTS member J-Hope was accused of 'copying' BIGBANG's G-Dragon during Paris Fashion Week, the latter has finally responded in a way that has managed to garner a lot of attention online. Earlier this week, J-Hope, along with various other names in K-pop like GOT7's Jackson, Mark and BamBam , attended the Paris Fashion Week. While most were excited about the attendance, some netizens were quick to accuse the BTS rapper of 'copying' G-Dragon's style. A video of the idol taken by a fan had gone viral online after he was seen entering and exiting a popular luxury brand's headquarters. While covered in bling head to toe, most fans were delighted to see the idol's new style. The video, however, earned a lot of criticism after fans of G-Dragon called him out, saying that the new style was a direct copy of what the BIGBANG member has been doing for years. G-Dragon reacts While netizens were criticising J-Hope for his new style at Paris Fashion Week, it was G-Dragon who made the first move in the most subtle way. The BIGBANG member ended up liking a post that featured the BTS member in Paris, thus putting an end to the speculations and showing his support for the 'Killin' It Girl' singer himself. Fans react G-Dragon's activity on social media garnered a lot of attention, both positive and negative. While some cited that the idol was showing his support to put an end to unnecessary hate, others started criticising him instead. Some netizens, however, took over and defended both of the idols, calling people out for saying that the situation is being blown out of proportion. One fan commented, 'Why can't you accept they have a healthy senior and junior relationship?. And even without this, Gd likes everything; I got a few from him too, so I'm being stalked by him?'
Indian Express
2 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.
Time Out
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
G-Dragon Hong Kong concert 2025: Tickets, prices, dates, and more
Finally, the King of K-pop G-Dragon (GD) is making his way to Hong Kong! The multitalented rapper, singer-songwriter, entrepreneur, and global fashion icon announced in March 2025 the Asia leg of his Übermensch solo world tour, just shortly after releasing his third studio album 'Übermensch' in February after 12 long years since his second studio album. The K-pop star kicked off the tour on March 29 and 30 in South Korea at Goyang Stadium. He then continued the tour in May, hitting up locations such as Japan, the Philippines, Macau, Taiwan, and Indonesia, before rounding things off in Hong Kong. When and where is G-Dragon's Hong Kong concert? K-pop fans couldn't be more excited to see Hong Kong on the list of concert locations for G-Dragon's Übermensch tour. The K-pop star is scheduled to perform in Hong Kong on August 9 and 10, 2025, at the AsiaWorld-Expo. How to get tickets to GD's Hong Kong concert? G-Dragon's official membership presale opens on June 26 from 4pm to 11.59pm, though this is only available for those who have registered for a membership between June 22 and 24 only. Those who didn't manage to sign up can also try their luck with the HSBC presale open from June 27 at 12pm to June 28 at 11.59am, or the general sale that starts on June 30 at 12pm. Visit for more ticketing information. Tickets to GD's Hong Kong concerts range from $799 to $2,399. Here's a full breakdown and seating map below: E reserved (yellow): $799 D reserved (pink): $1,099 C reserved (green): $1,399 B reserved (orange): $1,699 Wheelchair/minder: $1,699 A reserved (blue): $1,899 Free standing (beige): $1,899 VIP: $2,199 VVIP: $2,399 VIP tickets will get you a VIP pass and lanyard, access to the soundcheck, and an exclusive photocard, while VVIP will give you all that plus priority entry for the soundcheck and a send off event. View this post on Instagram A post shared by AEG Presents Asia (@aegpresentsasia) Full list of dates and locations for G-Dragon's Übermensch world tour 2025 May 10-11, 2025: Tokyo, Tokyo Dome May 17, 2025: Bulacan, Philippine Arena May 25-26, 2025: Osaka, Kyocera Dome June 7-8, 2025: Macau, Galaxy Arena July 12-13, 2025: Taipei, Taipei Arena July 19-20, 2025: Kuala Lumpur, Axiata Arena Bukit Jalil July 26, 2025: Jakarta, Indonesia Arena August 9-10, 2025: Hong Kong, AsiaWorld-Expo
Pink Villa
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
‘Trying to imitate G-Dragon?' BTS' J-Hope's fans defend him after recent appearance, rubbish rumors that he stole his style
On June 22, BTS' J-Hope took to Instagram to share a story that instantly caught fans' attention. The brief post revealed his plans to attend Paris Fashion Week, specifically the Louis Vuitton show. As one of the brand's global ambassadors, his participation wasn't a surprise, but it certainly generated excitement. The very next day, J-Hope arrived in Paris, and fan accounts quickly shared sightings of him heading toward the fashion house's headquarters. Decked out in a full Louis Vuitton look, the BTS member exuded elegance and charisma. From fashion moment to online firestorm Things took a different turn after videos surfaced of J-Hope exiting the Louis Vuitton office. Surrounded by bodyguards, the idol paused briefly in front of the cameras. He flashed his signature charm and showcased his eye-catching jewelry. With paparazzi snapping away, the moment looked like a classic media-friendly gesture from a global celebrity. However, what seemed like a standard red carpet-style exit drew unexpected backlash online. Critics began accusing J-Hope of copying G-Dragon 's behavior, especially his habit of keeping his head low when walking through crowds. Some pointed out similarities in posture or attitude, even suggesting it felt performative. Comparing apples and oranges? The criticism didn't sit well with many, especially longtime BTS fans who saw the moment as overblown. G-Dragon's introverted public demeanor has often been attributed to anxiety and personal struggles. Fans argued that drawing direct comparisons between two completely different artists was not only unfair, it was unnecessary. They highlighted that J-Hope was merely doing what's expected of a fashion ambassador: showcasing the brand with poise and confidence. His behavior in the clip, briefly posing while entering and exiting the venue, was in line with standard protocol for celebrity appearances at major fashion events. ARMY pushes back against the hate As negativity started to build, ARMY quickly stepped in to defend J-Hope. Supporters flooded social media with words of encouragement and called out the online criticism as baseless. Many emphasized how J-Hope has carved his own path, from dominating global charts with BTS to earning respect in the fashion world through hard work. Fans also stressed that there's room for multiple icons in the industry without resorting to rivalry narratives. Some pointed out that both G-Dragon and J-Hope have contributed to the global rise of K-pop and Korean fashion. So, pitting them against each other only distracts from their individual achievements.
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Every BTS member's brand power ranked after military discharge; Jimin, Jungkook lead June K-pop reputation index
All seven members of BTS have returned home after serving 18 months in the military. With that, Jimin, Jungkook, RM, Jin, Taehyung, Suga, and J-Hope have made a collective comeback on June's brand reputation ranking, without even dropping any new music yet. The big return also sent HYBE's previously tanking stock soaring within days. The list was released by the Korean Business Research Institute, and the ranking is done for each K-pop idol individually based on their activity, consumer participation, media coverage, community buzz, and more. (Data collected between May 21 and June 21.) Just days before, KBRI released the group ranking list, where BTS got edged out by rising K-pop boy band SEVENTEEN, recently named Global K-pop Stars of the Year by an American outlet. This latest list dropped just hours after Suga wrapped his public service and officially rejoined the group. Also read: 34th Seoul Music Awards full winners list: BTS' Jimin wins special award, i-dle creates history, BLACKPINK Rose, TXT, G-Dragon win big For June, Jimin takes the lead, topping the overall list of top 30 with a brand reputation index of 6,301,075. The Filter crooner saw a massive 76.51% jump in his score since May. The highest-ranking phrases for Jimin remained 'Filter,' 'ARMY,' and 'Park Jimin,' while the related keywords set included 'military discharge,' 'donate,' and more. His positive-to-negative analysis also jumped, with a 94.04% positivity rate. Coming in second is fellow BTS member Jungkook—the duo had enlisted in the military together. His brand index for June was 5,189,119, with a dramatic 86.60% spike. BTS' Jin followed at No. 6 with 3,221,688 points, taking the third-highest spot among the group. V, aka Kim Taehyung, snagged the No. 7 position with a score of 2,517,299. J-Hope, aka Jung Hoseok, fresh off wrapping his world tour, ranked 12th with 1,394,483 points. Meanwhile, RM and Suga landed at 15th and 16th with 1,283,645 and 1,218,910 points, respectively. BIGBANG member G-Dragon is currently on his 'Übermensch' world tour, which has shot his brand value through the roof. The K-pop idol ranked third on the list with a reputation index of 4,521,564. Meanwhile, ASTRO's Cha Eun Woo, who is set to hold an individual fan sign before enlisting in the military later this year, followed with a score of 4,140,574. Wanna One's Park Ji Hoon climbed to number 5 with 4,026,558, riding high on the success of his Weak Hero Class 2 stint, an almost 80% spike from his May score. The reputation ranking was conducted across 755 active K-pop male idols. Also read: BTS loses brand value ranking to K-pop's rising superstars despite major military comeback in June: Check out the Top 20 Check out top 30 BTS's Jimin BTS's Jungkook BIGBANG's G-Dragon ASTRO's Cha Eun Woo Wanna One's Park Ji Hoon BTS's Jin BTS's V Wanna One's Kang Daniel Super Junior's Kyuhyun RIIZE's Wonbin EXO's Baekhyun BTS's j-hope HIGHLIGHT's Yoon Doojoon NU'EST and Wanna One's Hwang Minhyun BTS's RM BTS' Suga Wanna One's Ong Seong Wu RIIZE's Sungchan SEVENTEEN's Jeonghan SHINee's Key EXO's Kai NCT's Doyoung Super Junior's Kim Heechul Wanna One's Kim Jae Hwan TXT's Yeonjun GOT7's Jinyoung SEVENTEEN's Hoshi BIGBANG's Taeyang SEVENTEEN's Mingyu THE BOYZ's Sunwoo (Via soompi)
