[비즈한국] The achievements of G-Dragon, who has returned after a staggering 11 years and 5 months, are remarkable. The sensory sound and transcendental visuals of his third studio album, ‘Übermensch’, are overwhelming. He has transcended trends. Yet, those who know him were not surprised. It was because it was "so like" G-Dragon. We have once again seen the origins and the future of the dazzling performance K-pop has achieved over the past decade in G-Dragon.
Because of him, there is no longer just a "singer." Now, singers are called artists. G-Dragon is someone who attained that status as a so-called K-pop artist early on. Before Psy and BTS, there was "Big Bang," and at the center of that "Big Bang" was G-Dragon. "Big Bang" and G-Dragon act as a bridge between mass-media idols and social media idols. He was a soloist, a duo member, and part of a full group. Thanks to G-Dragon, K-pop idol groups were able to overcome limitations and transform into global artists. He became the prototype for BTS and BLACKPINK. He excelled in songwriting, composing, and producing, and even possessed superior fashion sense and style. His style was at the center of trends, and his lifestyle itself became a trend. If you look at his past, you can forecast not only his current "hipness" but also his future.
G-Dragon spent five years as a trainee at SM while he was still in elementary school. He left SM because he couldn't see a vision in the "planned" idol model at the time, but this wasn't a failure to adapt; rather, it was the start of pioneering new territory. He independently mastered and created hip-hop, which was becoming a global trend, and participated as the youngest artist in the hip-hop compilation album '2001 Korea HipHopFlex'. Even before his debut at YG, his participation in albums or featuring on stages for renowned musicians like Perry, Lexy, Se7en, and Wheesung tells the story of his beginnings as an artist. Based on this, the start of "Big Bang," the first idol hip-hop group where he served as both leader and member, was like a gospel for K-pop. G-Dragon’s "Big Bang" is the very embodiment of the K-pop style, encompassing the transition from planned idols to self-growing, autonomous idols.
He completely differentiated Big Bang from existing idols. Unlike other idols, he produced, wrote, and composed his own albums. By writing and composing "Lies," the title track of Big Bang’s first EP 'Always' in 2007, G-Dragon gained recognition for his outstanding musicality, earning the title of "producer-idol" and rising to the ranks of true artists. While "Lies" was chosen as the most shining song in the 10-year history of Mnet’s ‘M Countdown’ in 2014, it was only the beginning. In 2012, he was selected as the songwriter who created the most hits, totaling a staggering 17 songs. He was also among the 8 songwriters who brightened the year with consecutive hits like "Last Farewell" in 2014 and "Day by Day" in 2015.
G-Dragon’s music spans a variety of genres, including not only hip-hop but also R&B, acoustic, and electronic dance music. He has an excellent ability to capture individual emotions that are often easily overlooked and generalize them. While he remains wary of falling into overly intimate feelings, he skillfully translates subtle nuances into universal sentiments.
He demonstrated his capability and standing as a solo artist from the early days of Big Bang. On August 18, 2009, he released his first solo album ‘Heartbreaker’ and swept various charts. As a solo singer, he received high praise even from Billboard and won the Album of the Year award at the Mnet ‘Asian Music Awards’.
Beyond the music charts, the intense and surprising concepts shown in this album spawned numerous parodies in popular culture, both on television and the internet. His unconventionality, which went beyond intensity, continued with the song "That XX" from his first solo EP ‘One of a Kind’ in 2012. It was the first time a song restricted to those under 19 reached the top of the charts upon its release. G-Dragon showed how much the music consumption environment had changed. In January 2013, he became the first Korean solo artist to hold dome concerts in four Japanese cities.
His unit activities, not just his solo work, are also considered exemplary. In November 2010, G-Dragon and T.O.P formed the duo unit GD&TOP, and tracks from their album such as "High High," "Oh Yeah," and "Knock Out" were massive hits.
He didn't just distinguish his personality and identity in music, but in fashion as well. With his slender frame, he showcased a unique fashion style, demonstrating how an artist with an Asian physique could be "hip." Furthermore, he opened another chapter in the genderless style that transcends the boundaries between men and women. His unique style of sunglasses, blonde hairstyles, and triangular scarves (mufflers) branded him as a "fashionista" to global brand companies.
In 2013, G-Dragon collaborated with Grammy-winning American female rapper Missy Elliott, DJ Diplo, and Baauer, showing the facet of an idol who doesn't get trapped in his own identity but is active in collaboration. His collaborations with domestic and international artists were not limited to music. A prime example is the collaborative exhibition titled ‘PEACEMINUSONE: Beyond the Stage’ held in 2015 with 12 modern artists from home and abroad. Since then, members of idol groups started taking an interest in modern art. The number of cases where modern art is actively utilized in music videos has also increased.
G-Dragon’s history and experience have been infused into this new album and his fashion style. The title track "TOO BAD" (feat. Anderson Paak) topped the music charts, he is meeting viewers through the MBC entertainment show ‘Good Day’, and he will embark on a world tour starting in May. The scope of his activities has widened more than ever. G-Dragon clearly shows that an idol can continue musical activities as an artist, and at the same time, live in constant harmony with the public as a trend-leading fashionista and an iconic figure of the era. He will be the future, the role model, and the roadmap for K-pop idols.
The author, Kim Heon-sik, has been walking through and navigating the forest of pop culture phenomena since his 20s, driven by the expectation that there is a way to make the world a better place through culture. He continues on the same path with the same belief in the 21st century, where artificial intelligence and quantum computers are active.