Big Bang’s comeback in doubt
As a well-known fashion icon across Asia, band leader G-Dragon, who was discharged from the military on Oct. 26, resumed his entertainment activities with a fashion collaboration with Nike.
He contributed to the design of the U.S.-based firm’s flagship sneaker line Air Force 1 Para-noise, which features daisy images from G-Dragon’s fashion brand PEACEMINUSONE on the tongue.
After completing his 18-month mandatory service, the singer, whose real name is Kwon Ji-yong, said he will commit himself to his music.
“Now, I’ll do my best in my main business,” the 31-year-old, who has enjoyed global stardom as a solo artist and as a member of Big Bang, told his fans on the day of his discharge last month.
Two of his bandmates, Daesung and Taeyang, completed their military duty Sunday, while in July, T.O.P was the first Big Bang member to finish his service.
But people have cast doubt on the reunion of the now-four-member band, which made its debut in 2006, and the release of its first album in three years. Big Bang has been regarded as one of the most influential Korean acts in the K-pop industry and has led the Korean wave during its heyday, along with BTS and EXO.
Former member Seungri left the group and the music industry in March amid a series of criminal investigations earlier this year.
Yang Hyun-suk, the founder of YG Entertainment, Big Bang’s agency, resigned from the top post at the firm as police deepened a probe into allegations of illegal overseas gambling. Social media postings by G-Dragon made about a month before his discharge have fueled speculation about the disbandment of the 13-year-old group.
“Live for yourself,” one of his posts read. “Let the world turn without you. It’s not the end of the world without you.”
T.O.P has already said he has “no plan to come back” with the band, while YG Entertainment has not yet made any official announcement on the future of the band.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, Yang was summoned by police for questioning into his alleged attempts to cover for one company’s singers in a criminal matter. Yang arrived at the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency building in Suwon on Saturday for interrogation related to suspicions that he threatened a whistle-blower who earlier reported to police that the singer B.I had bought drugs. The informant is known to be an acquaintance of B.I, a 23-year-old former member of YG’s boy band iKON.
Yang also faces charges of breach of duty, as he paid the fees with company money though the informant was not a YG employee.
He was allegedly involved in attempts to have B.I flee and avoid police investigations, according to police officers.
Asked about his charges upon arrival at the agency building, Yang simply said, “I will faithfully undergo investigation.”
Yonhap
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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