G-Dragon is looking back at the highs and lows of his legendary career, from BIGBANG’s early struggles to his own role as one of K-pop’s most unconventional style icons.
On September 30, the BIGBANG leader appeared on YouTube channel Hana TV, where he reunited with Kang Ho-dong after 16 years. During their conversation, he opened up about the group’s early days, recalling how their megahit “Lies” wasn’t originally planned as a group track.
“It wasn’t supposed to be our debut song. It was even a solo track at first,” G-Dragon revealed. “Yang Hyun-suk suggested making it a BIGBANG song. But because it was such a personal story I had written, I felt pressured. If it didn’t do well, I thought it would all be my fault.”
Despite the doubts, “Lies” became one of K-pop’s most iconic tracks, changing the trajectory of the group. Still, success didn’t come without challenges. “When we debuted, we were criticized for no reason. People said we weren’t like the typical idols. That’s why we had to prove we were about real skill,” he said. “Luckily, the fact that we could produce our own music made people see us differently—and the public responded like a miracle.”
The star also shared how his nickname back then was “Kwon Sandpaper,” because of his edgy and sometimes sensitive personality. “*People even called me ‘Kwon…X,’” he laughed, showing his willingness to poke fun at his younger self.
But the talk wasn’t only about the past. G-Dragon also touched on one of his more recent viral moments—the “hal-kkoya” phrase that became a meme among fans. “That was actually a behind-the-scenes moment. I had just finished work and was relaxed. People thought I said ‘hal-kkoya,’ but I actually said it properly: ‘I’m going to do it.’ Still, I ended up filming several ads with that phrase,” he admitted with a grin.
When the topic shifted to his famously bold fashion choices, the star didn’t shy away from honesty. “Don’t try to copy me. My fashion is excessive—even I think it’s too much sometimes,” he joked. “I know it’s not ordinary, but I love it. I spend days picking looks. It’s just something I enjoy.”
Even after years away from the stage, G-Dragon insists that his passion hasn’t dimmed. Reflecting on his recent performances, including his surprise single “Power” and his appearance at the 2024 MAMA Awards, he explained: “I didn’t want to make a big fuss about coming back. I just wanted people to think, ‘Oh, he’s back,’ and see what happens. At this point, I just want to do things my way and see where it takes me.”
From breaking the idol mold to turning even his quirks into trends, G-Dragon once again proved why he remains one of K-pop’s most influential figures—an artist unafraid of being “too much” in the best possible way.