Kwon Ji-yong (Korean: 권지용; born August 18, 1988),[1] best known asG-Dragon (지드래곤), is a South Korean rapper, singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur, known as the "King of K-pop".[2][3][4][5] Born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, G-Dragon made his debut in 2006 and rose to prominence as the leader of the South Korean boy bandBigBang, which went on to become one of the best-selling boy bands in the world.[6][7]
In 2013, he embarked on hisfirst worldwide tour as a solo artist, making him the first Korean soloist to tour Japanese dome arenas.[8] His 2017 EP,Kwon Ji Yong, yielded the number one single "Untitled, 2014", and the supporting concert tourAct III: M.O.T.T.E became the largest tour ever conducted by a Korean soloist.[9] In 2023, G-Dragon officially departed YG Entertainment after 20 years of activities, signing to Galaxy Corporation under his real name.[10]
Widely recognized for his influence on youth culture, fashion trends, and music in South Korea,[11] G-Dragon was included inForbes' list of the 2030 Power Leaders for three consecutive years (2012–2014), and has been part ofHypebeast's list of the 100 most influential people in fashion eight times. He haswritten or co-written 24 number one songs on theGaon Digital Chart most of which he has also co-produced.[12][13] G-Dragon is the recipient of numerous awards, including eightMAMA Awards, sixMelon Music Awards, twoKorean Music Awards and twoGolden Disc Awards, and the first and only solo artist to receive theMAMA Award for Artist of the Year (2013).[14]
G-Dragon was born on August 18, 1988, inSeoul, South Korea.[1] He enrolled atKyung Hee University in 2008 to study post-modern music. He later dropped out due to his busy schedule, and instead majored in Leisure Sports Studies atGukje Cyber University, obtaining aBachelor's degree in 2013. G-Dragon graduated in 2016 with aMaster's degree in content and retail distribution atSejong University. Plans for a doctoral degree were delayed to accommodate his military enlistment.[15]
G-Dragon began his career at age six as part of the group LittleRoo'ra.[16] Following the release of the group's Christmas album, the group's contract was terminated by their record company, which shocked G-Dragon. Although he vowed to his mother that he "wouldn't [try to become a singer] again," he was scouted bySM Entertainment on a ski trip with his family.[17] He was a trainee under the record labelSM Entertainment for five years (from 8–13 years old), specializing in dance before he left.[16][18]
During third grade, a friend introduced G-Dragon to the American rap groupWu-Tang Clan. Having been influenced by their music, he developed interest in rapping and began taking classes.[16] After attending a summer school hosted by the South Korean hiphop groupPeople Crew [ko] which he joined after begging his mom, he was introduced to Lee Hee sung, who was member of another South Korean hip hop groupX-teen [ko], who tried to make G-dragon into Korea'sBow Wow.[19] Under People Crew's[20] tutelage, he participated in the release of the Korean hip-hop albumKorean hiphop Flex (대한민국 힙합플렉스 2001) in 2001,[21] becoming the youngest Korean rapper at 13 years old. Although he wrote his own lyrics, he admitted that his English was weak and the story behind the lyrics was just another typical "I'm young, but I'm the best" story.[16] Additionally, he and future fellow BigBang memberChoi Seung-hyun were "neighborhood friend[s] from middle school" and would often dance and rap together before G-Dragon moved away.[22] Catching the interest of Sean of the hip-hop duoJinusean from YG Entertainment, he recommended G-Dragon to Sean's record label's CEOYang Hyun Suk. After signing a contract with the record label, G-Dragon spent the first year cleaning the studio for the other artists in the record label and fetching water bottles during dance practice.[16]
G-Dragon at MTV Fast Forward, Thailand, 2007
He chose the stage name G-Dragon ("Ji" is pronounced like "G", andYong is Korean for "dragon").[17] He featured on other artists' albums and released several singles with Dong Young-Bae (Taeyang) under the name "GDYB." After YG Entertainment scrapped the plan and opted for a boy band instead, G-Dragon contacted Choi, who auditioned in.[22] G-Dragon, Taeyang, and Choi (who chose the stage name T.O.P), were paired with three other members (Jang Hyun-seung,Daesung, andSeungri).
The formation of the group was documented on television,[23] but prior to their official debut, Jang was dropped.[17] The now-quintet's debut was a moderate success, with theirfirst album selling over 100,000 copies,[24] and included G-Dragon's first solo recording, a cover of the American alternative rock groupMaroon 5's single "This Love".[23] The release of theEPAlways in 2007 was a musical departure from their previous materials and saw G-Dragon's increased involvement in its production.[25] Several songs were composed by him, including the lead-single "Lies", which became the group's first number one hit. Their following EPs followed its predecessor's footsteps:Hot Issue yielded "Last Farewell" whileStand Up spawned "Haru Haru"; both singles, composed by him, were chart-toppers.[26][27] Having produced the majority of BigBang's materials, G-Dragon was also involved with the production of Taeyang's debut extended playHot (2008).
On March 6, 2010, YG Entertainment announced that they personally contactedFlo Rida's representatives requesting that he feature in G-Dragon's live album,Shine a Light, to which Flo Rida accepted.[38] In support of his album, G-Dragon staged hisfirst solo concert atOlympic Gymnastics Arena in December 2009. The name of the concert, Shine a Light, was derived from the lyrics to his song "A Boy".[39] The concert subsequently sparked controversy following complaints of obscenity[40] and suggestive content.[41] TheKorean Ministry of Health, Welfare and Family Affairs later asked the government prosecutors to investigate if G-Dragon or YG Entertainment violated laws on obscene performances in his concert.[42][43] He was found innocent and was cleared of all charges on March 15, 2010.[44][full citation needed]
In November 2010, G-Dragon and T.O.P released theircollaboration albumGD & TOP.[45] Preceding the release of the album, the duo held a worldwide premiere showcase for their album at Times Square inYeongdeungpo, Seoul,[46] which was also broadcast live on YouTube.[47] To promote their album, the duo released three singles: "High High", "Oh Yeah", and "Knock Out" (Korean: 뻑이가요;RR: Ppeogigayo).[48] All three singles preceded the release of the album and achieved commercial success: "High High" scored number one on several music programs[49] while "Oh Yeah" peaked at number two on theGaon Digital Chart.[50] The album was released on Christmas Eve, and debuted at number one on theGaon Album Chart[51] with pre-orders of 200,000 copies.[52]
G-Dragon performing with T.O.P. in 2011
G-Dragon also formed a duo withPark Myung Soo for theInfinite Challenge Seohae Ahn Highway Song Festival 2011. They released their song "Having an Affair" featuringPark Bom from 2NE1 on June 2, 2011. The song later became the second most downloaded song on theGaon Music Chart for the year 2011.[53]
2012–2013: Breakthrough years and comeback with Big Bang
While working on new solo materials, G-Dragon made an appearance in the Japanese version ofPixie Lott's albumYoung Foolish Happy, along with T.O.P.[54] His first extended playOne of a Kind was released on September 15, 2012,[55][56] drawing positive reviews, placing first on theBillboard World Album Chart and entering theBillboard 200 Chart at 161.[57] Three singles were released to support the album: the top-five hit "One of a Kind,"[58][59] which earned him the Best Hip Hop and Rap Song of the Year awards from theKorean Music Awards and the Rhythmer Awards respectively; the number one "That XX"[60] and the top-three hit "Crayon"[59] that was ranked bySpin Magazine as the best K-Pop single of the year.[61] The album sold over 200,000 copies, making it the highest selling solo album in Korea since the release of his debut albumHeartbreaker in 2009.[62] He won "Best Male Solo Artist" at the14th Mnet Asian Music Awards and "Record of the Year" forOne of a Kind at the22nd Seoul Music Awards. G-Dragon also embarked on theOne of a Kind World Tour in 2013, becoming the first Korean solo artist to hold a four-dome tour in Japan[63] and the second Korean solo artist to have a world tour (the first beingRain). The production of the tour cost $3.5 million, making it the largest scale in Korean history at the time.[64] The tour was held in 8 countries, visited 13 cities for a total of 27 concerts gathering 570,000 fans.[65]
In August 2013, G-Dragon performed "Shake The World" as an intro to "One Of A Kind," "Feat. Missy Elliott" (Missy Elliott Ver.) and "Crayon" at the KCON 2013 concert in Los Angeles.[66]
After touring extensively, G-Dragon went back into the studio to record his second studio album. YG Entertainment later announced thatGrammy Award-winning musicianMissy Elliott will be featured on the album.[67]Coup d'Etat (2013) was released in two parts online, with the full album released physically on September 13, featuring collaborations withDiplo,Baauer,Boys Noize,Sky Ferreira,Siriusmo,Zion.T, Lydia Paek, and label-mateJennie Kim. G-Dragon and Missy Elliott performed the song "Niliria" at the KCON 2013 in Los Angeles. Six tracks fromCoup d'Etat placed within the top 10 of theGaon Digital Chart, including the number one "Who You?".[68] The best-performing single of the album was "Crooked", with over 1.8 million digital downloads,[69] which was his first solo music video to surpass 100 million views onYouTube.[70] The title track "Coup d'Etat" was chosen byBillboard as one of the game-changingEDM tracks of 2013.[71] The album entered theBillboard 200, making G-Dragon the first Korean act to have multiples entries on the chart.[72] The success ofCoup d'Etat led to G-Dragon winning a total of four awards at the15th Mnet Asian Music Awards: Best Male Solo Artist, Best Music Video for "Coup d'Etat", Best Dance Performance for "Crooked", and the highest award, Artist of The Year.[73] He later took home the World's Best Entertainer and World's Best Album at theWorld Music Awards.[74]
G-Dragon participated in theInfinite Challenge music festival again for the second time on October 17, 2013, inImjingak, composing and performing the song "Going to Try" with comedianJeong Hyeong-don.[75]
In 2014, G-Dragon wrote and produced for other YG artists. He wrote the track "Good to You" from 2NE1's albumCrush. He also worked onTaeyang's second albumRise, writing and producing the lead single "Ringa Linga" and "Stay With Me", and was a featured artist on the latter track.[76] In November 2014, G-Dragon and Taeyang formed aduo to release the single "Good Boy", which debuted atNo. 1 onBillboard's World Digital Songs chart, the third time a Korean act topped the chart afterPSY and 2NE1.[77] The single had over 1.2 million downloads in South Korea,[78] while its music video surpassed 100 million views on YouTube; this made BigBang the first Korean male group to have three videos with this many YouTube views.[79] In December of the same year, G-Dragon collaborated withSkrillex andDiplo for the song "Dirty Vibe", which features labelmateCL. The single charted at No. 15 onBillboard'sHot Dance/Electronic Songs and No. 21 onDance/Electronic Digital Songs, making them the first Korean artists to land on the chart.[80][81][82] In 2015, he wrote and produced a song forWelcome Back, the debut album of YG's new rookie groupiKon.[83]
G-Dragon spent the majority of 2015 and 2016 touring with his band for theirthird Korean album, performing for over 3.6 million fans in two years.[84][85][86][87][88] In 2015, he participated in the Infinite Challenge music festival for the third consecutive time, and for the first time with bandmate Taeyang. The duo teamed up withZE:A'sHwang Kwanghee and released the single "Mapsosa", which peaked at No. 2 on the Gaon Digital Chart,[89] and sold 1.1 million copies by the end of the year, making it one of the best-selling songs of 2015.[90] He appeared on the same show again the following year, for theMuhan Company special, in which he acted for the first time.[91][92] Additionally, he featured alongside British rapperM.I.A. inBaauer's song "Temple" from his debut albumAa.[93] The song charted at No. 36 onBillboard's Dance/Electronic Digital Songs and No. 26 on Hot Dance/Electronic Songs, making him the first Korean male artist to chart twice on both charts.[94]
2017–2018:Kwon Ji Yong, record-breaking tour, and military service
On February 1, 2017, G-Dragon featured onZion.T's song "Complex"[95] which peaked at number two on the Gaon Digital Chart.[96] He also served as a guest rapper forIU's lead single "Palette," offher album of the same name[97] which topped the Gaon Chart for two consecutive weeks.[98] After the promotional activities with his band wrapped up, G-Dragon began preparing for the release of his new album, along with a solo concert tour.[99]
The single "Bullshit" was set to serve as the lead single to precede the release of his secondself-titled EP.[100] Due to bandmate T.O.P's marijuana scandal, and the single's provocative name, "Untitled, 2014" was released to radio instead to avoid further controversy for the artist's record label.[101] Forgoing the traditional method of releasing music onCDs,Kwon Ji Yong was released inUSB flash drive format on June 8, drawing criticism fromGaon, which refused to regard it as an official album. Gaon reversed its decision later that year, acknowledging the unconventional format as legitimate.[102] The release saw him topping iTunes charts in 46 countries, the most by any Korean album, including the US iTunes chart.Kwon Ji Yong also topped the iTunes worldwide album and European iTunes charts making him the first Korean soloist to do so.[103] In the United States,Kwon Ji Yong became his best-selling album in just one day and his third entry on theBillboard 200 and first number one on theHeatseeksers Albums. Additionally, the EP became his third chart-topper and the first by a Korean soloist to spend multiple weeks atop theBillboardWorld Albums.[104][105] In China, the album surpassed 760,000 digital units sold in a day onQQ Music, the biggest music site in the country.[106] Six days after its release, it surpassed one million copies sold, becoming the fastest album to do so and the best-selling album of the year so far.[107] His second world tour,Act III: M.O.T.T.E, began atSeoul World Cup Stadium on June 10, 2017[108][109] and visited 29 cities across Asia, North America, Europe and Oceania.[110][111] The tour is the largest tour by a Korean artist in the United States and Europe, and is the largest concert tour ever conducted by a Korean solo artist, it was attended by 654,000 people worldwide.[9][112][113] A behind-the-scenes documentary look at the tour was released byYouTube Premium in September 2018.[114]
G-Dragon began his two-yearmandatory military service on February 27, 2018, by entering the3rd Infantry Division's boot camp in Gangwon province as an active duty soldier, where he was set to be discharged on October 26, 2019, after completing the requirements.[115]
2020–present: Return from military and departure from YG Entertainment
After a four-year hiatus, G-Dragon made a comeback as part ofBigBang with the song "Still Life" on April 4, 2022.[116]
On January 1, 2023, G-Dragon announced he would be preparing a comeback album.[117] In June of that year, YG commented that G-Dragon's contract had expired, though would be collaborating with him for activities such as advertising while discussing his renewal further.[118][119][full citation needed] On December 20, it was announced that G-Dragon had officially left YG Entertainment.[120] On the same day, Galaxy Corporation officially announced they had officially signed G-Dragon, with plans for him to make a comeback in 2024.[121]
On the October 30 episode ofYou Quiz on the Block, G-Dragon introduced his first new song since 2017, a pre-release single titled "Power".[122][123][124] It was officially released on October 31, alongside the announcement that G-Dragon had signed a deal to release music withEmpire Distribution.[125] Another new song, "Home Sweet Home" featuring Big Bang members Taeyang and Daesung, was released on on November 22.[126] The trio performed the song the next day at the2024 MAMA Awards, along with "Power", "Untitled, 2014", "Fantastic Baby", and "Bang Bang Bang".[127] "Home Sweet Home" reached number one on the Circle Digital Chart in South Korea,[128] becoming his sixth number-one single. G-Dragon made further appearances at the 2024SBS Gayo Daejeon on December 25 and at Le Gala Des Pieces Jaunes in Paris on January 23, 2025, alongside Taeyang.[129][130]
On February 4, 2025, it was confirmed that G-Dragon's third studio album, titledÜbermensch, would be released on February 25.[131][132] Heralded as G-Dragon's inaugural solo entertainment show,[133] the rapper collaborated withKim Tae-ho, the renowned producer ofInfinite Challenge (2005–2018),[134] to create the music variety program,Good Day. It premiered on February 16, 2025, onMBC andDisney+.[135]
Inspired by the music ofWu-Tang Clan and citing American rapper and singerPharrell Williams as his "musical hero",[136] G-Dragon's production discography is predominatelyhip hop.[137] He has also listedJinusean,Fabolous andKanye West as influences.[138] At the age of 12, he participated in the annual hip hopFlex album in an attempt jumpstart his career as a hip hop artist.[16] When BigBang debuted, G-Dragon produced mainly hip hop songs for their albums before the quintet branched out and experimented withelectronic music, setting it as the new music trend in Korea.[139] While the band continues to incorporate a diverse range of genre into their materials, G-Dragon focuses mainly on hip hop for his solo efforts and the two sub-units he is a part of (GD & TOP,GD X Taeyang) to contrast BigBang's sound.[47][140]
His first albumHeartbreaker was a mix of dance, hip-hop, andR&B[141] whileacoustic, hip hop and electronic music influencedGD & TOP.[47] The song "Crayon" from the EPOne of a Kind is a mix between hip-hop and electronic music[142] whereas "One of a Kind" is hip hop andpop-rap song.[143][unreliable source?] G-Dragon's second album,Coup d'Etat, is noted for being an eclectic mix of hip-hop,dubstep, rock, electro, and pop,[144] with Jessica Oak fromBillboard magazine describing thealbum's title track, which was co-produced by American DJs Diplo and Baauer, as a slow tempotrap influenced song.[145] The song samplesGil Scott-Heron's "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised."[146] "Crooked" was described as a "synthed-up, deliriously catchypop-punk" with a "neon-bright" sound,[147] fusing "heavy drumbeats andmetal guitar riffs"[148] and featuring a "heavybass line and fully amplified sound at the chorus."[149] In the track, G-Dragon also mixes rap with singing.[148] "Niliria" was noted for sounding ethnic andsurrealist.[150]
Kwon Ji Yong continues to feature songs under the hip-hop andR&B genre, with the exception of its lead single, "Untitled, 2014", which is aballad. Despite primarily being a rapper, the latter also has G-Dragon only singing over a "single piano accompaniment,"[151] with Jeff Benjamin ofFuse comparing the song toAdele's "Someone like You" for its simplicity.[152] The intro, "Middle Fingers-Up", features a piano riff with an underlying trap beat.[153][unreliable source?] Act I. or "Bullshit" is a multi-layered hip-hop track characterized by a pulsating chorus and sudden beat and rhythm changes.[154] Act II. or "Super Star" is a slow jam fused with trap, filled with brassy drums, Middle-Eastern horns, lilting synths, and a backing chorus.[154] The outro, "Divina Commedia", is an experimental alt-R&B track which samples "Veridis Quo" fromDaft Punk's 2001 albumDiscovery.[154]
G-Dragon writes the majority of his lyrics, explaining that "each feeling [in creating the music] is different",[155] using his emotions to direct the lyrical content and the composition of his songs.[156] Preferring to pen lyrics that "sound like an actual story,"[36] G-Dragon has said he injects throughout his songwriting process "a sense of eeriness" writing songs that resemblehorror films, like "She's Gone", "Window" and "That XX".[144]Spin magazine wrote that G-Dragon's music is "daring by K-pop standards, wildly innovative by any standard" and that the rapper seems "unafraid of constantly pushing forward."[157]
"I have this disease-like need to try to create something new. When you're kind of being chased, and everything you do goes so well, you develop this sickness and a sense of need to constantly do something different." — G-Dragon[138]
The Guardian noted that his songs stand out for "more in-depth themes including self-destruction andnarcissism."[158] The lyrics in his song "A Boy" were in response to the negative criticisms surrounding his 2009 plagiarism controversy, with the artist refusing to give up on his career despite the setbacks.[159] "Crooked" was created to express his naturalpunk attitude[144] by describing a man "full of angst and despair" that demands to be left alone as he spends the night "like a 'crooked-minded person,' because in the end, he's alone and doesn't need anyone's 'sugarcoated sympathy.'"[148] His use of explicit language in "That XX" drew controversy, and the song was deemed unsuitable for listeners below 19 years of age.[160] Discussing "cheeky" themes such as money and fame,[143][161] "One of a Kind" fromthe EP of the same name is often viewed as one of his best works, withIze magazine listing it as one of the most memorable songs written by G-Dragon, commenting that it raised his status as a hip-hop musician.[162] "Middle Fingers Up" fromKwon Ji-Yong discusses the diminishing number of his personal relationships and his ever-decreasing social circle[162] while "Bullshit"'s lyrics are self-referential, referencing "Crayon" by name while the canine onomatopoeia recalls the title track of his last albumCoup d'Etat.[154] He takes on a more remorseful approach in "Untitled, 2014", with the rapper apologizing for "his past actions, asking for forgiveness and the chance to see his ex again even if it's just one more time or in his dreams" in what has been described as "a letter to a past lover"[152]
He also explored other themes as a producer for BigBang: "If You" was inspired during a time when the artist was in love,[163] "Bae Bae" was inspired by the work of British artistFrancis Bacon and the eroticism in his paintings,[164] while "Loser" was written in an attempt to humanize the group.[165] To distinguish himself from other artists and composers, G-Dragon admits to "giving twist and turn at every corner and evoking [a] different story" with each part of his music, acknowledging that although the chorus is the catchiest part of the song, he wants all the parts to his song to be remembered.[155] Aside from producing songs for his own band, G-Dragon has also produced for other artists, including bandmates Taeyang,[166] Seungri and Daesung solo careers, and YG Entertainment label-matesiKon and 2NE1.[167] He is often described as a "perfectionist" who's very critical during recording sessions.[168][169][170]
G-Dragon in stage outfit on Big Bang'sAlive Tour in 2012
G-Dragon's stage presence and performances have been well received.[171] In a review for hisOne of a Kind World Tour,Billboard claimed that G-Dragon was a "highly-energetic performer" and was pushing boundaries with this tour, which was described as "vibrant" and a "Michael Jackson-level affair".[172]MWave stated that G-Dragon showed that he's indeed one of a kind while "he burst forth in his own style and personality all throughout the concert." The critic concluded that the rapper "filled every corner of the stage perfectly with his solo presence."[173] His second world tour,Act III: M.O.T.T.E, received rave reviews from critics and fans and was noted for being more intimate.[174][175][unreliable source?] In a review for one of his performances in Thailand, Riddhi Chakraborty fromRolling Stone India praised the singer-rapper for delivering "precise choreograph[ies]" with "unwavering enthusiasm [...] and brutal honesty"[4] while Kimberly Lim fromThe New Paper also noted how G-Dragon "performed gravity-defying and slick moves" at one of his concerts in Macau.[176]
Billboard K-Town describes his productions as large-scale, dramatic and infused with his personality,[177] often incorporating a live band alongside professional dancers, various costume changes and the use of pyrotechnics.[4][178] The singer-rapper's stage outfits have also garnered attention, withDazed magazine noting that G-Dragon has the "rare ability to play loose and wild with his sartorial choices", and to put together outfits that make the "ridiculous become sublime, [and] the impractical into the necessary."[179] G-Dragon explains that while his "[s]tage outfits are loud, outspoken, glamorous, [and] fancy", they are very different from his "normal day to day clothing", preferring to wear "loud and outspoken" clothes when performing compare to a more casual style off-stage.[179]
While promoting his EPKwon Ji Yong, G-Dragon revealed that he originally created the alter ego G-Dragon to keep his stage persona separated from who he really is.Seoul Beats described G-Dragon as "glamorous, cocky, [and] energetic", compared to his real-life "humble [and] understated" personality.[180][unreliable source?] In a 2017 interview withElle, he described G-Dragon as someone who is "full of self-confidence" and is "a fancier and stronger person" while Kwon Ji-yong is an "introvert[ed] guy" with "many thoughts in his mind."[181] After the release ofKwon Ji Yong and while touring for Act III: M.O.T.T.E, G-Dragon expressed a desire to distance himself from his alter ego.[176][182]Rolling Stone India noted how during the third act of the concerts, fans were able to witness "the rather menacing G-Dragon melt away into the shy Ji Yong."[4]
"There are too many references and ideas, colors and shapes — yet on him, they feel just right. Where there's a constricted idea of masculinity in society, G-Dragon exploded the paradigm for how a man could be. He was likePrince, only less interested in making his body a sexual object. In G-Dragon's world, fashion could be a fun, playful, and joyful, rather than exacting and serious. Clothes could be an expression of your core identity, or they could just be something you're trying out — a mood, a whim, or an idea. He waspostmodern in the best sense of the word. He proved that you could, in some way, be anything and everything." — E.Alex Jung fromVulture[183]
G-Dragon maintains tight control over his career, publicly opposing the idea of singers as "products" of the entertainment industry and criticizing agencies who do not give their artists creative control.[184] Known for reinventing his image and style throughout the years, the singer-rapper is often described as the "most fashionable" member in BigBang.[185] While promotingHeartbreaker, his blonde hairstyle gained popularity among his fans and became one of the top hairstyles of the year.[186] He has consistently altered his hair throughout the years, ranging from various shades of colors to different cuts.[187] Additionally, his constant sporting of triangular scarves during promotions for BigBang's EPAlways became a trend among teenagers and were later nicknamed the "Big Bang scarves".[188]
G-Dragon is noted for hisandrogynous appearance,[189][190] with theKorea JoongAng Daily calling him "a notable star fashioning genderless style", noting how his image deviates from the fixed gender type of men and women.[191]Vogue Magazine stated how his androgynous or gender-bending appearance defies a "society that maintains traditional, patriarchal values and a noted adherence to manufactured beauty ideals."[192] When he collaborated with Italian footwear designer Giuseppe Zanotti to launch a limited-edition collection of men's and women's shoes, he stated that "it's not just girls or women who get excited and worked up over pretty shoes. [...] [G]uys can feel that way, too."[193][194] G-Dragon's fashion has been described as "quirky and experimental" by Rushali Pawar of theInternational Business Times[195][unreliable source?] while Taylor Glasby from the British MagazineDazed and Confused characterized his style as "fluid and far-reaching," calling him a "natural style chameleon."[196] Monica Kim fromVogue Magazine admired his "uncanny knack for larger-than-life style that remains wearably cool."[197] Joe Coscarelli fromThe New York Times calls him "a style icon, a chameleon who often makes peak-eraLady Gaga seem staid".[198] He has covered various issues ofW,Dazed,Hypebeast,Elle,Vogue, and landed editorials inHarper's Bazaar,Esquire, among other Asian magazines.[199]
In 2011, G-Dragon shared that he was initially self-conscious of his role as a musician, noting how he had "changed many things including the tone of my voice because I was conscious about my job when I was in front of others."[200] Aware that his public image is important when promoting his materials, G-Dragon notes that "what the public perceives of [me] is my doing so it's my fault if I give off the wrong intention."[200] By 2015, he has become more relaxed, stating that now he doesn't "do music or dress up in order to impress people around me. I don't try to be conscious [about music and fashion]".[201]
G-Dragon was chosen byThe Chosun Ilbo as the Best Dressed Celebrity of 2012,[202] while in 2014, he was chosen as one of the Best-DressedStreet Style Stars of the year byNew York.[203] G-Dragon was included in the 2015's and 2016's Business of Fashion's500 Global Fashion Leaders list, making him one of the five Koreans on the list, and the only K-Pop act to have made the cut.[204][205] He was also the only Korean inHypebeast's100 Innovators list.[206]
In 2012, G-Dragon built apension hotel inGyenggi-do as a gift to his family, putting in approximately 1 billion won (US$920,000 at the time) to help finance it. The pension includes 11 suites.[207] On October 20, 2015, G-Dragon officially opened his first cafe onJeju Island, under the name of "Monsant Cafe".[208][209] The South Koreanindie bandHyukoh was the first artist to play at the café in September 2015.[210] In 2017, his second cafe named "Untitled, 2017", inspired by the title of his most recentsingle, was built, along with a bowling alley both designed by G-Dragon. It is located within YG Entertainment's YG Republique building complexYG Town ofJeju Shinhwa World resort, for which he is an ambassador.[211]
G-Dragon along with BigBang are among Korea's highest paid celebrities over endorsements, reportedly having an asking price of $1–1.5 million USD per endorsement in 2011.[212] In August 2015, he became the face ofAirbnb in the Asian market.[213] In 2016, G-Dragon started endorsingShinsegae, the largest retailer in South Korea and his merchandises were reported to take up over 49% of sales in the YG store.[214] He also endorsed the Italian sportswear labelKappa as part of their 100th anniversary and it was reported that he earned US$1.9 million from the brand.[215][216] He was selected as the face ofHyundai's Verna concept vehicle, appearing at an auto show in Beijing which saw 10,000 fans gather to see him in person.[217] In 2017, G-Dragon endorsed Vidal Sassoon in China,[218] he also joinedNike's Air Max Day global campaign and endorsed the Vapormax shoe, causing instant sell-outs across online stores in South Korea.[219] The same year, he was announced as the official ambassador of luxury resort Jeju Shinhwa World, located onJeju Island, in which he directly participated in the development of the resort complex.[220] After completing his military service, he has been an ambassador for brands such asNongfu Spring,[221] TS shampoo,[222]Tiger Beer,[223]BMW,[224] andHana Financial Bank.[225]
In 2013, G-Dragon partnered with Ambush for a special collaboration release which includes apparel and accessories. The collection highlights G-Dragon's signature crest by utilizing the design throughout the entire release.[226] In 2014, he partnered withChow Tai Fook Enterprises jewelry and launched a collection designed by himself.[227][228] G-Dragon opened an art exhibition in 2015 under the namePeaceminusone: Beyond the Stage.[229] The exhibition features 200 works of art from 12 domestic and international artists including Michael Scoggins, Sophie Clements and James Clar.[230] Having worked on the exhibition for over a year, its aim is to bring the modern art and pop culture together in order to "introduce domestic artists to the public, who are unfamiliar with art or who find art unapproachable."[229] The show was held at theSeoul Museum of Art from June 6 to August 23.[231] He also launched a collaboration withGiuseppe Zanotti and designed two unisex shoe styles.[232] G-dragon is an avid art collector, being included inARTnews' 2019 list of 50 art collectors to watch. His collection includesMillionare Nurse byRichard Prince, which sold at aSotheby's auction in 2014 for $3.3 million.[233] He also owns theGeorge Condo piecesBig John and the four-piece setJean-Louis,Jean Louis with One Ear,Jean Louis' wife andJean Louis' Wife's sister.[234] He organized an auction of some of his possessions through Pharrell Williams' Joopiter auction house in September 2024: included were pieces of clothing, artwork and furniture. The auction was accompanied by an exhibition at the Daelim museum.[235]
Peaceminusone logo
In 2016, he collaborated with the brand 8 Seconds, part of theSamsung C&T Fashion Group, designing his first street fashion collection. The collection featured innovative "genderless" designs, suitable for both men and women.[236] He went on to design three collections for the brand.[237] In October the same year, G-Dragon launched his personal fashion brandPeaceminusone with his long-time stylist Gee Eun. The first collection included tees, caps, jewelry, and in-ear headphones.[238] Initially an online-only line, it was launched as a physical store at theDover Street Market inLondon and inSeoul.[239][240] Peaceminusone collaborated with Ambush in November for a capsule collection of denim pieces, marking his third collaboration with the label.[241] The same year, he starred in the official campaign for Seoul-based fashion label Juun.J's FW16 collection withTaeyang.[242] He also became a brand ambassador for French fashion houseChanel,[243] and starred in the label's Gabrielle bag campaign during 2017, alongsidePharrell.[199][244]
In 2017, G-Dragon launched pop-up shops for his brand Peaceminusone, starting in Seoul, and continuing withMiami,[245][246]Osaka andHong Kong.[247] Later that year he collaborated withVogue to do another pop-up shop in Seoul, selling limited edition Peaceminusone X Vogue apparel.[248] He also launched a collaboration with French retailerColette which was made available to purchase on his online store.[249] In 2019, he collaborated with Nike, releasing PEACEMINUSONE Para-NoiseAir Force 1 shoes.[250] A second version of PEACEMINUSONE Para-Noise Air Force 1 shoes in white color was released in 2020.[251][252] Further collaborations, the PEACEMINUSONE x Nike Kwondo 1 and PEACEMINUSONE x Nike Kwondo 1 "Panda", were released in December 2021 and April 2023, respectively.[253][254]
He contributed to the self-titled AMBUSH book due to be published byRizzoli on March 4, 2025.[255]
G-Dragon has shown support for numerous charity organizations over the years. Notably, the final concert of his world tour in 2013, a booth was erected where fans could donate to build a fishery in Haiti, as a collaboration with YG Entertainment'sWith Campaign, which he previously worked with to help build a school in Nepal.[256] At the same event, he and his fans from 14 countries around the world donated 9.9 tons of rice, which was sent to help malnourished children, elderly living on their own, and other people in need.[257][258] He's reportedly donated₩81.8 million (US$80,000) every year on his birthday.[259] G-Dragon donated ₩50 million (US$43,400) in 2011 (when fans donated under his name) and in 2012 (privately by himself) to Seoul National University Hospital to help children with diseases get treatment. This was revealed accidentally in 2017 as his name was engraved on a plaque honoring those who had contributed ₩100 million or more.[260]
G-Dragon has used his image to raise awareness for multiple causes, including theUN Refugee Agency[261] and theRed Campaign to fightAIDS.[262] Additionally, in May 2017, a citrus tree forest was officially opened,Seogwipo on Jeju Island, named after G-Dragon's real name, Kwon Ji-yong. The fruit harvested from the forest will be donated to charity events.[263]
In December 2023, G-Dragon announced he would be creating the JusPeace Foundation to combat drug addiction and support artists. The foundation was launched in August 2024. He donated 300 million won (US$230,000 at the time) to help start it up and serves as honorary chairman.[10][264][265]
His music has gained appreciation from critics. The song "One of a Kind" is listed in Korean music critic Kim Bong-hyun's book of most influential Korean hip hop songs from 1989 to 2016, naming it one of the 28 tracks that shaped the genre.[283] It was also the only song by a solo artist to be included inThe Dong-A Ilbo's 2016 list of the best male idol songs in the past 20 years.[284] Meanwhile,Spin named "Crayon" the best K-pop single of 2012, with David Bevan commenting that the track "almost felt too big for the occasion, too brash to have come from the leader of a boy band."[285] In 2013, "Crooked" was voted as MTV Iggy's Song of the Year, with the website commenting that "G-Dragon made a big splash in the world of K-pop and beyond with his solo albumCoup d'Etat. 'Crooked' from that album was the endlessly playable sound of him breaking big."[286] In 2008, G-Dragon became the youngest person to be listed on The 10 Greatest Korean Composers at the age of 20.[287] TheKorea Music Copyright Association currently lists over 180 songs under G-Dragon's name.[288] In 2015, G-Dragon's annual earnings from song royalties was estimated to be over $700,000 a year.[289] He was the highest paid touring singer-songwriter in Korea, earning the most from songwriting royalties in 2012.[290] In 2018, he tied with YG Entertainment producerTeddy Park for the most earned royalties for lyrics writing and song composition within the field of popular music from the Korean Music Copyright Association.[291] They both received Daesang awards for it, making G-Dragon the first, and only idol as of now, to receive this type of award.[292]
G-Dragon was highlighted as one of the "50 Reasons Why Seoul is the Best City" byCNN in 2011[293] and topped the list of the "Most Influential Entities of K-Pop" byIlgan Sports in 2013.[65] That same year, collaboratorDiplo declared that G-Dragon is a "phenom, [he's] bigger than the K-pop scene."[294] The rapper has madeForbes Korea's list of "Korea 2030 Power Leaders" for three consecutive years, most recently in 2014.[295] In 2018, 35 executives from 35 companies in the South Korean music industry chose G-Dragon as the best soloist in Korea[296] whileABS-CBN lists him as their favorite K-pop idol leader, citing his creativity, dedication, and hard-work.[297] That same year,The Guardian ranked G-Dragon No. 11 on their list of "30 Best Boyband Members," becoming only one of two Korean artists to be listed.[298] G-Dragon has been called the "King of K-Pop" by various media publications includingRolling Stone,Dazed andVogue.[4][5][192] His artistry, multi-hyphenate career, popularity and level of influence have drawn comparisons to American singerMichael Jackson byBillboard,[299]Vogue,[192] andi-D, who hailed him as "the millennial Michael Jackson".[11] Despite his success as a solo artist and leader of BigBang, G-Dragon has admitted that he didn't realize how famous he was until he went on BigBang's firstworld tour.[137]
In 2018,The Gazette Review estimated that G-Dragon's net worth isUS$40 million.[300]
G-Dragon beganmandatory military service on February 27, 2018. After his basic training at South Korea's3rd Infantry 'White Skeleton' Division inCheorwon, Gangwon Province, he was assigned as a regular soldier. He was discharged on October 26, 2019 at the headquarters of South Korean Army's Ground Operations Command inYongin. He held an event nearby with around 3000 fans that same day.[301]
G-Dragon tested positive for marijuana in 2011.[303] Though a urine test back in August came back negative, a weak positive for marijuana was detected from testing the content of his hair in October. Since it was his first recorded offense with a minuscule amount of the drug, it resulted in an indictment and he was not charged.[304] He later claimed to have accepted a cigarette offered by a fan in Japan during a party back in May, throwing it away after realizing it was not a normal cigarette.[305] He made his first public appearance after the scandal at the2011 MTV EMAs with his group.
On October 25, 2023, G-Dragon was booked by the Incheon Metropolitan Police and was under investigation for alleged drug use.[306][307][308] The case was closed on December 13, 2023 due to a series of negative drug tests and insufficient evidence.[309]
G-Dragon's real estate portfolio includes multiple apartments: one inCheongdam-dong (valued between 15 to 18 billion won), one inSeongsu-dong (valued at 3 billion won) and one inHannam-dong (valued at 16.4 billion won).[310] He also owns a mixed-use six story building in Cheongdam-dong which he purchased in 2017 for 8.85 billion won.[311]
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^싱어송라이터로 독특한 음악세계 [Unique musical world of the singer-songwriter].The Korea Times (in Korean). July 12, 2017.Archived from the original on August 10, 2017. RetrievedAugust 10, 2017.
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^新스타고백 지드래곤⑫"솔로앨범, 저한테는 도박이었죠".10Asiae (in Korean). The Asia Business Daily. February 11, 2010.Archived from the original on March 5, 2012. RetrievedFebruary 14, 2010.
^Com, Segye (October 10, 2012).'인기가요' 지드래곤, '화려한 퍼포먼스' 눈길.Segye (in Korean).Archived from the original on August 10, 2017. RetrievedAugust 10, 2017.
^abPark, Hee-a (June 13, 2017).G-Dragon 고별展│가사로 본 지 드래곤의 인생.Ize Magazine (in Korean).Archived from the original on August 25, 2017. RetrievedAugust 25, 2017.
^Park, Eunho (June 8, 2015).지드래곤 "'배배', 프랜시스 베이컨 작품 보고 야한 느낌 받아 작업".Ten Asia (in Korean).Archived from the original on March 28, 2017. RetrievedMarch 27, 2017.One day I was looking at some of Francis Bacon's work in a museum and it strangely felt erotic to me. I'm not sure why. We were working on the album at the time, while I was writing the music, I kept looking at his paintings. So they inspired me a lot one way or another.
^Kang, Jiyong (November 27, 2007).빅뱅 G드래곤 "의상 전공에 욕심있다" [Big Bang's G-Dragon: I'm interested in majoring in fashion] (in Korean). SSTV. Archived fromthe original on July 11, 2011. RetrievedMarch 10, 2008.
^Yoon, Hyun-jin (January 21, 2009).강동원 "보헤미안 스타일 올 가을 유행 예감"[포토엔].Newsen (in Korean).Archived from the original on November 1, 2012. RetrievedJanuary 21, 2011.
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^Chong, Manling (March 3, 2016).代言爆冷！GD要當Kappa救世主.Apple Daily (in Traditional Chinese).Archived from the original on September 8, 2017. RetrievedJuly 6, 2017.
^Lai, Pengxiang (February 12, 2017).韓流天團BIGBANG隊長GD與美髮品牌推限量特別版.Now News (in Traditional Chinese). Archived fromthe original on September 8, 2017. RetrievedJuly 6, 2017.
^"Block B's Zico Wants to Be Like Seo Taiji and G-Dragon?".Retrieved by Soompi. Pia Magazine. July 11, 2011.Archived from the original on August 16, 2017. RetrievedJuly 23, 2017.By gaining experience as an idol, I think it can be useful for becoming a producer later on. My goal is to be like Seo Taiji or G-Dragon.
^비오 "롤모델은 지드래곤, 미움 신경 쓰지 말라고 조언" (걍나와) [Be'O "My role model is G-Dragon, my advice is not to worry about hatred"].Sports World (in Korean).Naver. October 27, 2022.Archived from the original on November 12, 2022. RetrievedNovember 12, 2022.
^아스트로의 롤모델, 동방신기부터 지코ㆍ비ㆍ이승기까지 '다양' [Astro's role models, from TVXQ to Zico, B, and Lee Seung-gi, are 'various'].TV Daily. February 22, 2016.Archived from the original on November 12, 2022. RetrievedNovember 12, 2022.
^윤하 "지드래곤, 닮고 싶은 셀러브리티다" [화보] [Younha "G-Dragon is a celebrity I want to be like" [Pictorial]].Sports Dong-a (in Korean).Naver. December 24, 2015.Archived from the original on November 12, 2022. RetrievedNovember 12, 2022.
^Mukasa, Edwina (February 1, 2013)."G-Dragon – K-pop's golden boy".Dazed & Confused.Archived from the original on February 7, 2013. RetrievedFebruary 17, 2013.Musically, Grimes provided one of her more fangirl moments on Twitter, writing "G Dragon i love you" and "G-Dragon is definitely the pinnacle of pop for me".
Media related toG-Dragon at Wikimedia Commons
