Numerous K-pop fans are claiming their choices to be the "Nation's Boy Group." But Bigbang, which became the top K-pop group i...
Numerous K-pop fans are claiming their choices to be the "Nation's Boy Group." But Bigbang, which became the top K-pop group internationally, maintained the title for a long time. The group's achievements and success around the world are unmatched, which is essentially why they earned the title.
Who is Bigbang?
YG Entertainment launched the boy group on August 19, 2006. G-Dragon, T.O.P, Taeyang, and Daesung are the current members. Seungri announced his departure from the entertainment industry on March 11, 2019.
Not only that. With their breakthrough title hit "Lies," which reached number one on the music charts in August 2007, Bigbang's fame exploded. This corresponded with the lads exerting greater control over their music than in prior albums. That explains their stylistic transition from R&B to electronic, which was more popular in Asia.
At the 2007 Mnet Asian Music Awards, the song earned them awards for "Best Male Group" and "Song of the Year," as well as "Artist of the Year." They bagged the "Digital Record of the Year" award at the 17th Seoul Music Awards. One of the group's most well-known tracks, "Lies," has existed for a long time.
The group became popular in Japan as a result of its seemingly instant success. Even though they issued a couple of mini-albums and there was little advertising, the group's success was evident as they charted high. The Korean version of their Japanese hit, "Day by Day," featuring Park Min Young, is one of the most successful songs of all time in South Korea with over five million copies sold. At the 2008 Mnet Asian Music Awards, Bigbang received its second "Artist of the Year" award.
Bigbang had been the most-sought artist in South Korea by the end of 2009. This was largely owing to the members' year-round independent careers. G-debut Dragon's solo album, Heartbreaker, was released that year, and the title tune went on to sell over five million copies.
Heartbreaker won "Album of the Year" at the 2009 Mnet Asian Music Awards, signaling GD's colorful solo career off to a solid start. T.O.P was the first member to try acting in 2007 with the KBS serial, I am Sam. In 2009, he played an assassin in the popular K-drama, Iris. He also starred with Seungri in the film, 19-Nineteen.
What a multi-talented group of lads!
Fellow member, Taeyang, went on to release two of his most cherished solo albums, "Where U At" and "Wedding Dress." The latter was well-received both in South Korea and abroad. In the same year, Daesung released his second trot single, "Big Hit." He began appearing in musicals.
They reunited as a group for a collaboration with 2NE1, who had just debuted the legendary collaboration "Lollipop." With vibrant colors, wacky accessories, and outrageous hairstyles, the music video represented the fashion, music, and style of 2009. “Lollipop” would only be the beginning of two of K-supergroups' pop dominance.
G-Dragon and T.O.P have launched a joint album. Taeyang won "Best Male Artist" at the 2010 Mnet Asian Music Awards after releasing his first full-length album, Solar, with GD & T.O.P. Seungri dabbled in acting and music. He released singles such as "VVIP" and "What Can I Do" and appeared in dramas. Daesung appeared in the musical drama and hosted a variety show.
Bigbang returned with their Korean single, "Tonight," largely regarded as the symbolic comeback that solidified its sound in the K-pop music industry after winning multiple Japanese accolades. At the 2011 MTV Europe Music Awards, they were named "Best Worldwide Act" of the Asia-Pacific area, demonstrating their global reach even more.
The members mostly pursued their separate ventures in 2013 and 2014, resulting in an almost three-year Bigbang drought for fans. However, as they covered a variety of musical styles, the members continued to assert their unique personalities, preserving their relevance and even extending their fan base.
G-Dragon released his highly-acclaimed solo album Coup d'etat, which included the hit singles "Crooked," and "Who You?" They garnered him four Mnet Asian Music Awards and making him the first Korean artist to have multiple entries on the Billboard 200. His other major project was “Dirty Vibe,” a collaboration with American producers, Skrillex and Diplo, that included CL of 2NE1.
In Korea, it sold over a million copies and topped Billboard's World Digital Singles Chart. Both performers tackled the R&B, Hip-Hop, and EDM genres—the ones in which they are most influential within the K-Pop world—and expanded the idea of what it means to be a K-pop idol even further.
One of the most extravagant efforts in K-pop history was not well received by the rest of the globe. MADE: M, A, D, E were monthly singles that preceded the release of the full-length album of the same name. In May, the trio released “Loser” and “Bae Bae,” indicating a more mature vibe while remaining true to their musicality.
In June, they released "Bang Bang Bang" and "We Like 2 Party." In July, they released "If You," and "Sober." And in August, they shelled out "Zutter," and "Let's Not Fall in Love." The accomplishments, prizes, and recognitions that the individual tracks have garnered would require a separate article. All of the MADE tracks were among the most popular in South Korea in 2015. The boys decided to extend their world tour to 2016 with their MADE V.I.P tour, a great way to start the year for their 10th anniversary! Bigbang held a 10th-anniversary concert tour called 0.TO.10 to commemorate the occasion. It drew over 1.1 million fans.
In December 2016, the full-length MADE album was finally released, along with two new singles: the quirky "Fxxk It," and the melancholy "Last Dance." Both tracks charted alongside "Girlfriend" and together sold over one million digital copies in five days. Dragon's Kwon Ji Yong was launched in the unusual format of a USB flash drive. Kwon Ji Yong topped the iTunes rankings in 46 countries, the most of any Korean album at the time. It became his best-selling album in a single day, selling over 760,000 digital units in China alone.
Taeyang launched his third album, White Night, as well as a world tour that took him to 19 different cities. On Billboard's World Digital Albums chart, the album spent two weeks at the top, making him only the second Korean solo artist to do so. In December 2017, he announced his engagement to his long-time girlfriend, actress Min Hyorin. They got married in a private ceremony.
Daesung built on his reputation in Japan by releasing D-Day, his second Japanese mini-album. It topped the Billboard Japan Albums chart, as well as the Oricon Albums Chart. His first solo dome tour, the D-Lite Japan Dome Tour 2017, drew over 150,000 people in two cities.
Sadly for VIPs, on March 11, 2019, Seungri announced his departure from the entertainment industry after being arrested by Seoul police for allegedly providing prostitution services.
Until now, it's uncertain when Bigbang will return to the stage after their Coachella Music Festival performance.
Image Source: Koreaboo
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