Overview of BigBang
BigBang is a K-pop boy band under YG Entertainment. The band consists of global superstars G-Dragon, Taeyang and Daesung. BigBang was originally a five-piece band. Following a controversy in 2019, Seungri retired from the band and South Korean rapper and singer T.O.P left in May 2023, making it a three-member boy group. BigBang is known for its stage presence, self-production and experimentation skills with styles and music.
BigBang has conquered a large cult following since their official debut, ‘BigBang Vol. 1’ on August 19, 2006, at the Olympic Gymnastics Arena in Seoul during the YG Family 10th Anniversary Concert. BigBang is the ‘Kings of K-pop’ with a great influence in spreading the ‘Hallyu Wave’ around the globe.
History, Formation & More
2000–2006: Formation & Debut
G-Dragon and Taeyang were the first ones to receive training under YG Entertainment at the age of eleven. G-Dragon contacted T.O.P, his childhood friend for the audition when YG Entertainment approached him for possible candidates to start a boy group. T.O.P was an underground rapper. Seungri, Daesung, and Hyun-seung also auditioned later.
BigBang held their official debut on August 19, 2006, at the Olympic Gymnastics Arena in Seoul during the YG Family 10th Anniversary Concert. The first single, ‘Bigbang’, released shortly after, sold nearly 40,000 copies. In September, BigBang released their second single, ‘BigBang Is V.I.P.’, eventually topping 32,000 copies sold. Their last single, ‘Bigbang 03’, with sales nearing 40,000 copies. In December, the group held their first concert, The Real, at the Olympic Gymnastics Arena for around 12,000 fans.
2007–2008: Mainstream Popularity & Japanese Debut
On February 8, 2007, BigBang released their live concert album, ‘The First Real Live Concert’, which sold 30,000 copies by the end of the year. BigBang’s first extended play, ‘Always’ released in 2007, was a game changer for the band. G-Dragon composed and wrote most of its tracks, including the lead single ‘Lies’. Topping the music charts for six weeks, ‘Lies’ became the first song to win the Song of the Month award from the Cyworld Digital Music Awards.
The group released their second EP, ‘Hot Issue’ in November of the same year, which contained six tracks written by G-Dragon. The lead single, ‘Last Farewell’, became the longest-running hit by a boy group.
By the end of 2007, the band had ventured overseas to Japan and released their first Japanese EP, ‘For the World’ in 2008. The group also held a concert at the JCB Hall in Tokyo Dome City. Later returned to South Korea and released their third Korean EP, ‘Stand Up’. BigBang released the Japanese song ‘Number 1’, which peaked at number three on Japan’s Oricon daily album chart.
In 2008, the group released their second Korean studio album, ‘Remember’, which went on to sell over 200,000 copies.
2009–2011: Solo Endeavours, Japanese Activities & Commercial Success
In early 2009, BigBang was on a break, so the band members pursued solo activities. Later, they reunited to collaborate with a new girl group, 2NE1, who had been dubbed The Female BigBang. BigBang also released their third endorsement digital single, ‘So Fresh, So Cool’, to promote the beer brand “Hite”.
Kicking off the new year with the 2010 Big Show concert at the Olympic Gymnastics Arena. BigBang flew to Japan and released their third Japanese studio album, ‘Big Bang 2’. For most of the year, members individually promoted their work and introduced sub-unit GD & TOP.
In 2011, BigBang returned to South Korea with their 2011 Big Show concert, showcasing songs from the upcoming EP ‘Tonight’ which later became a chart-topper on the Gaon Digital Chart. The third Japanese tour, Love and Hope, kicked off in May. At the end of the year, BigBang participated in the YG Family 15th Anniversary concert tour. On December 14, 2011, they released their greatest hits album, ‘The Best of Big Bang’.
2012–2014: International Breakthrough, First World Tour & Hiatus
In January 2012, YG Entertainment began releasing teasers for BigBang’s fifth Korean EP, ‘Alive’, which was released in February. Three singles were released to promote the album: the lead single ‘Blue’, the second single ‘Bad Boy’, and the third single ‘Fantastic Baby’ became the most-watched video by a Korean group and received more than 310 million views on YouTube.
BigBang obtained the fifth spot at the top of Billboard K-pop’s Hot 100. BigBang later received recognition from Time magazine, and a photo of the group was featured on the Grammy Awards homepage.
In 2012, the group went on their first world tour, the Alive Galaxy Tour, in partnership with Live Nation and performed their first-ever concerts in the United States, Europe, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, New Jersey, and London. BigBang released a special edition album titled ‘Still Alive’ on June 3. Band members pursued individual activities for the majority of 2013 and 2014.
Later in November 2013, they reunited for their Japan Dome Tour and held concerts in six different dome arenas in Japan. Before their second Japanese dome tour, they performed at the closing ceremony of the 2014 Asian Games held in Incheon, South Korea, in October 2014.
2015–2016: Made, Second World Tour & 10th Anniversary
BigBang was on hiatus for two years, and in 2015, BigBang made their comeback by releasing special project singles for their album ‘Made: M, A, D, E’. The first single, ‘M’, was released in May, and the following month saw the release of ‘A’, which occupied the first and second positions on Billboard’s World Digital Chart. The third single, ‘D’, was released in July, and the consecutive monthly releases concluded with ‘E’ in August.
Later, BigBang embarked on their second world tour to promote their singles. Several projects were launched to commemorate the group’s 10th anniversary. The band held a 10th-anniversary concert tour, 0.TO.10, from July 2016 to January 2017. In December 2016, the band released the album ‘Made’ following the release of the songs ‘Fxxk It’ and ‘Last Dance’.
2017–2021: Touring, Military Service & Seungri’s Retirement
As per South Korea’s mandatory military service requirement, T.O.P enlisted for his two-year service on February 9, 2017, as a conscripted policeman. The remaining members continued promotions without him. They went on for their fifth annual Japanese dome tour and the Last Dance Tour in November.
In 2017, YG Entertainment released a reality programme through YouTube Red. In the following year, the remaining members began their enlistment: G-Dragon on February 27, Taeyang on March 12, and Daesung on March 13, 2018. Seungri was initially announced to enlist on March 25, 2019. Later on March 11, 2019, Seungri announced his retirement from the entertainment industry due to scandals surrounding the Burning Sun nightclub.
On July 6, 2019, T.O.P was the first member to be discharged from the military. Later, G-Dragon on October 25, 2019. Taeyang and Daesung were discharged on November 10. The group made their comeback after three years with a grand performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on January 3, 2020.
In March, all four members renewed their contracts with YG Entertainment. They were preparing for a comeback, however, which was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2022–Present: Return From a Break, Still Life, Members’ Label Changes & T.O.P’s Withdrawal
On February 7, 2022, YG Entertainment announced BigBang’s comeback and T.O.P’s official withdrawal from YG Entertainment. On April 5, the group released a new single titled ‘Still Life’, their first comeback in four years as a quartet.
On December 27, 2022, YG confirmed that Daesung had terminated his contract and was looking for a new start. On May 31, 2023, T.O.P revealed that he had already withdrawn from the group. In June 2023, G-Dragon’s official contract with YG expired, making him the last member of the group to leave the label. The group’s artist profile was removed from YG Entertainment in January 2024, marking the group as no longer under the label.
Members
G-Dragon
Kwon Ji-yong, known by the stage name G-Dragon, is the leader, main rapper, vocalist, and face of the BigBang K-pop group. He was born on August 18th, 1988, in Seoul, South Korea. His career began in 1995 when he joined a kid’s group called Little Roora and left the group after a year. Later, he joined SM Entertainment as a trainee, where he stayed for four years. After that, he joined YG Entertainment in 2000. At YG Entertainment, G-Dragon trained for six years before officially debuting as a BigBang member.
Taeyang
Dong Young-bae, better known by his stage name Taeyang, is the main vocalist and dancer of the Big Bang K-pop group. He was born on August 18, 1988, and brought up in Ujeongbu, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. He became a trainee under YG Entertainment in 2000 and made his debut six years later. He is popular for being an ardent Catholic who has many tattoos on his body inspired by his religious beliefs.
Daesung
Kang Dae-sung, better known by his stage name Daesung is the lead vocalist of the Big Bang K-pop group. He was born on April 26, 1989, and spent his childhood in Incheon, South Korea. The talented drummer, actor, singer-songwriter, and television personality Daesung is the third member chosen for BigBang. His Japanese stage name is D-Lite. Daesung passed his first audition for YG Entertainment and debuted with BigBang in 2006.
Former Members
T.O.P
Choi Seung-Hyun, known by his stage name T.O.P, is the lead rapper, vocalist, and visual artist of the BigBang K-pop group. He was born on November 4, 1987, in Seoul, South Korea. T.O.P was initially rejected in the auditions of YG Entertainment as he was overweight. After reducing his weight, he was accepted as a trainee eventually debuting with BigBang. G-Dragon of the BigBang band and T.O.P were childhood friends.
Seungri
Lee Seung-hyun is a South Korean singer, songwriter, actor, and former member of BigBang. He is better known by his stage name, Seungri. Seungri’s contract with the agency was terminated on March 31, 2020, when he officially retired from the group. The lead dancer and vocalist was born on December 12, 1990, in Gwangju, South Korea. He was an inevitable part of most BigBang choreographies. The most controversial member of the BigBang has allegations of prostitution, drug dealing, and many illegal activities.
Discography
- Made (2016)
- Made Series (2016)
- Alive (2012)
- Big Bang 2 (2011)
- Big Bang (2009)
- Remember (2008)
- Number 1 (2008)
- Big Bang Vol.1 (2006)
Awards
- KuGou Annual Music Awards 2023
Best Selling Korean/Japanese Album (top 10), ‘Still Life’
- Asian Pop Music Awards 2022
Top 20 Songs (Overseas), ‘Still Life’ - MAMA Awards 2022
Best Vocal Performance – Group, ‘Still Life’ - Bugs Music Awards 2020
20th Anniversary – Most Loved Artists, BigBang
- Gaon Chart Music Awards 2019
Song of the Year (March), ‘Flower Road’
- Golden Disc Awards 2019
Special Digital Bonsang Fans Choice
Digital Bonsang, ‘Flower Road’
- Golden Disc Awards 2018
Digital Bonsang, ‘Fxxk It’
- Japan Gold Disc Awards 2018
Best Asian Artist, BigBang
Best 3 Albums, ‘Made’
Best Music Videos, 0.TO.10
- RTHK International Pop Poll Awards 2018
Best Selling Albums, ‘Made’ - V-Live Awards 2018
Global Artist Top 10, BigBang - Gaon Chart Music Awards 2017
Song of the Year (December), ‘Fxxk It’
- Japan Gold Disc Awards 2017
Best Asian Artist
Album of the Year, ‘Made Series’
Best 3 Albums
Song of the Year by Download (Asia), ‘Bang Bang Bang (Japanese Ver.)’
Best Music Video, BIGBANG 2015 World Tour～ 2016 [MADE] In Japan
- Melon Music Awards 2017
Top 10 Artists - V-Live Awards 2017
Global Artist Top 10, BigBang
- Gaon Chart Music Awards 2016
Song of the Year (May), ‘Loser’
Song of the Year (June), ‘Bang Bang Bang’
Song of the Year (July), ‘If You’
Song of the Year (August), ‘Let’s Not Fall In Love’
The most Influential Group in Asia, BigBang
- Golden Disc Awards 2016
Digital Daesang, ‘Loser’
Digital Bonsang, ‘Loser’
iQiyi Best Male Artist, BigBang
- InStyle Star Icon Awards 2016
Hot Icon, BigBang - IFPI Hong Kong Top Sales Music Award 2016
Ten Best Sales Digital Releases, ‘Loser’
- Japan Record Awards 2016
Special Achievement Award - Japan Gold Disc Awards 2016
Song of the Year by Download (Asia), ‘Bang Bang Bang (Korean Ver.)’
- KKBox Music Awards 2016
Annual Korean Singer
Japan Top 10 Artist (Japanese music)
- Korea First Brand Awards 2016
Top 10 Hallyu Stars – China
- MTV Italian Music Awards 2016
Best Artist From The World - QQ Music Awards 2016
Best Selling Foreign Album
Best Music Video of the Year, ‘Bang Bang Bang’
- RTHK International Pop Poll Awards 2016
Top Ten International Gold Songs, ‘Bang Bang Bang’
Best Selling Korean Album, ‘E’ - Seoul Music Awards 2016
Best Song Award
Bonsang Award - IFPI Hong Kong Top Sales Music Award 2015
Ten Best Sales Digital Releases, ‘Bae Bae’ - Korea Marketing Awards 2015
K-pop Division Grand Prize - Korea SNS Industry Awards 2015
Korea Internet & Security Agency Award - Korean Music Awards 2015
Group Musician of the Year Netizen Vote
Song of the Year, ‘Bae Bae’
Best Pop Song, ‘Loser’ - MAMA Awards 2015
UnionPay Song of the Year, ‘Bang Bang Bang’
Best Music Video, ‘Bae Bae’
Artist of the Year
IQiyi Worldwide Favourite Artist
- Melon Music Awards 2015
Artist of the Year
Top 10 Artists
Song of the Year
Netizen Popularity Award - MTV Iggy 2015
Song of the Summer, ‘Bang Bang Bang’ - QQ Music Awards 2015
Most Popular Overseas Group - Soompi Awards 2015
Best Male Group
Artist of the Year
Album of the Year, ‘E’ - YouTube Music Awards 2015
Honored Artist, ‘BigBang’ - World Music Awards 2014
World’s Best Group
World’s Best Live Act, Big Bang Alive Galaxy Tour 2012
World’s Best Video of the Year, ‘Fantastic Baby’
- Gaon Chart Music Awards 2013
Song of the Year (February), ‘Blue’
Song of the Year (March), ‘Fantastic Baby’
Album of the Year (1st Quarter), ‘Alive’ - Golden Disc Awards 2013
Digital Daesang, ‘Fantastic Baby’
MSN International Award - Hito Music Awards 2013
Japanese and Asian Song of the Year, ‘Fantastic Baby’ - Japan Gold Disc Awards 2013
Best 3 Albums (Asian), ‘Alive’ - MTV Video Music Awards Japan 2013
Best Dance Video - RTHK International Pop Poll Awards 2013
Top Ten International Gold Songs, ‘Fantastic Baby’ - Seoul Music Awards 2013
Bonsang Award, BigBang - Cyworld Digital Music Awards 2012
Song of the Month (February)
Song of the Month (March)
- Gaon Chart Music Awards 2012
Song of the Year (April), ‘Love Song’ - MAMA Awards 2012
Best Male Group
Guardian Angel
Artist of the Year - Melon Music Awards 2012
Top 10 Artists - MTV Italian Music Awards 2012
Best Fan - Singapore E-Awards 2012
Platinum Awards, ‘Tonight Special Edition’
Double Platinum Awards, ‘Alive’ - So-Loved Awards 2012
Best Male Group
Best Song, ‘Fantastic Baby’
Best Mini Album, ‘Still Alive’ - MAMA Awards 2011
Best Music Video, ‘Love Song’ - Melon Music Awards 2011
Top 10 Artists - MTV Europe Music Awards 2011
Best Worldwide Act
Best Asia Act - Singapore E-Awards 2011
Most Popular Korean Artist - Japanese Grand Prix du Disque 2010
Best Newcomer - Japan Record Awards 2010
Best Song, ‘Tell Me Goodbye’ - Japan Gold Disc Awards 2010
Best 5 New Artists - MTV Video Music Awards Japan 2010
Best New Artist Video
Best Pop Video
- Space Shower Music Video Awards 2010
Best Choreography Video, ‘Gara Gara Go!’ - UN Asia Pacific Global Tolerance with Music 2010
Global Unity Award - Best Hits Song Festival 2009
Gold Artist Award - Cyworld Digital Music Awards 2009
Song of the Month (April), ‘Lollipop’
Bonsang, ‘Hallelujah’ - Japan Cable Broadcasting Award 2009
Best Newcomer Award - Japan Record Awards 2009
New Artist
Best New Artist - Korea PD Award 2009
Performer of the Year - Mnet 20’s Choice Awards 2009
Hot Commercial Film Star, ‘Lollipop’ - Nickelodeon Korea Kids’ Choice Awards 2009
Favourite Male Singer - Seoul Music Awards 2009
Best Album Award, ‘Remember’
Bonsang Award
Mobile Popularity Award
High One Music Award
- Cyworld Digital Music Awards 2008
Song of the Month (August), ‘Haru Haru’
Song of the Month (November), ‘Sunset Glow’
- Korea Broadcast Award 2008
Newcomer Award
- Korea National Assembly Awards 2008
Grand Prize - Korean Music Awards 2008
Dance & Electronic Musician Netizen Vote - MAMA Awards 2008
Best Male Group
Artist of the Year - Mnet 20’s Choice Awards 2008
Hot Trend Musician - Nickelodeon Korea Kids’ Choice Awards 2008
Favorite Male Singer - Seoul Music Awards 2008
Artist of the Year
Bonsang Award
Best Song Award, ‘Lies’ - Style Icon Awards 2008
Male Pop Act - Cyworld Digital Music Awards 2007
Song of the Month (August), ‘Lies’
Song of the Month (September), ‘Lies’
Song of the Month (December), ‘Last Farewell’ - Golden Disc Awards 2007
Digital Bonsang, ‘Lies’ - MAMA Awards 2007
Best Male Group
Song of the Year, ‘Lies’ - Cyworld Digital Music Awards 2006
Rookie of the Month (October), ‘La La La’
Interesting Facts about BigBang
- The band debuted in 2006.
- Initially, it was meant to debut six BigBang members: T.O.P, Taeyang, G-Dragon, Daesung, Seungri, and Hyun-seung, who were officially dropped before the debut.
- The group emerged in the second spot in Time Magazine’s 2016 polls for “Most Influential People in the World”.
- Big Bang is the best-selling digital group in Asia, with over 140 million records sold.
- By the end of 2009, they had become the most searched-for boy band in South Korea.
- BigBang fans are called VIP’s.
- The band’s popularity skyrocketed with their title track, ‘Lies’.
- BigBang is the all-time best-selling artist in Cyworld.
- In 2016, the band was chosen by the South Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism to be an ambassador for the country’s “Creative Icon” slogan.
- BigBang sold more than 140 million records between 2006 and 2019.
- The group encourages their fans to bring bags of rice to their concerts and donates the rice to charitable causes.
- In 2013, their Japan Dome Tour turned out to be the highest-grossing tour by a foreign act in Japan.
- BigBang members’ dressing style is a major trendsetter in the Korean fashion industry.
- The dance moves for the song ‘Bang Bang Bang’, from their album ‘Made’, became one of the most popular dances of the year 2015.
FAQs
- How many members are in BigBang?
The group consists of three members: G-Dragon, Taeyang, and Daesung. Originally a five-piece band, Seungri retired from the entertainment industry in March 2019 and T.O.P left in May 2023. - Who is the main rapper in BigBang?
T.O.P is the lead rapper of BigBang with his deep and powerful husky voice.
- Is anyone in BigBang married?
Taeyang, from the group whose real name is Dong Young-bae, is married to Min Hyo-rin and they are parents to a baby boy. - How rich is BigBang?
Although there aren’t official records that point to exact figures, it’s approximately USD 40 million in 2023 as per some online sources.
- Why did BigBang break up?
The band split up four years ago so members could fulfil their military service. - What is the official Instagram ID of G-Dragon?
xxxibgdrgn
- What is the official Instagram ID of Taeyang?
__youngbae__
- What is the official Instagram ID of T.O.P?
choi_seung_hyun_tttop
