Stage Name: Taeyang (양태) meaning solar, also known as Sol Birth Name: Dong Youngbae Family Name: Dong Born: 18th May 1988, Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea Age: 24
Role in BIGBANG: vocalist
After appearing in a music video for another artist Taeyang auditioned for YG, the result of which was to become a rapper trainee alongside G-Dragon. The two were later paired as GDYB, planning to release a mini album together, however the plan was scrapped by YG and instead the two were put into new boygroup BIGBANG. After forming BIGBANG, Taeyang turned from rapping in order to concentrate on his singing.
He released his first mini album "Hot" in May 2008, the album was different to the hip hop feeling of BIGBANG's music, it had many more R&B songs. However Taeyang was not happy with his album as he later admitted that he wrote none of the songs. Taeyang recieved two music awards for his song "Only look at me"and having the best R&B album. He was the first Korean idol group member to receive the award.
In 2009, among promoting and recording with BIGBANG, Taeyang released two solo tracks "Wedding Dress" and "Where U At". Wedding Dress was voted #3 on a poll for a Dutch radio station.
Taeyang 2006
Taeyang 2007
Taeyang 2008
Taeyang 2009
Taeyang 2010
Taeyang 2012 (Alive album look)
Taeyang 2012
"Solar", Taeyang's first full album, was released in July 2010. HE is currently scheduled to release his third solo album sometime this year.
Stage name: T.O.P. (탑) also known as Tempo, Tabi Bingu TOP, TOP Birth name: Choi Seunghyun (최승현) Family name: Choi Born: 4th November 1987, Seoul, South Korea Age: 24
Role in BIGBANG: lead rapper, singer, composer, lyricist, record producer
T.O.P. did not have prior contracts with YG before the company wanted to create the group BIGBANG. He was an underground rapper, by the name Tempo and had no idea that YG was wanting members for a new boy group.
TOP was contacted by G-Dragon, a childhood friend(the leader of BIGBANG), who told him to audition for the group. G-Dragon and TOP worked together on a few Demos and sent them to the CEO of YG. AS a result TOP was asked to come and audition for the group in person but was initially rejected as he was to "chubby" for the ideal idol image. In six months he returned for another audition, having worked hard to lose the weight and was asked to join to group. He supposedly lost 20 kg in 40 days.
TOP was given his stage name, T.O.P., by YG's Se7en and had his first solo song "Big boy" released on BIGBANG's 2007 album.
In 2007 TOP began his solo career, first appearing on other singer's singles, albums and music videos. In the summer of 2007 he became the first member of BIGBANG to venture into acting, by starring in the KBS2 drama, "I am Sam".
T.O.P. I am Sam look
In late 2008 TOP put his solo career on hold to promote with fellow BIGBANG members, doing so for over a year. After the promoting was finished he returned to acting by portraying an assassin in the TV drama "Iris" as well as playing a lead role with band member Seungri in his first film "My 19".
T.O.P. Iris look
T.O.P. Iris look
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TOP also played a leading role in the Korean war film "71: Into the Fire", which was released in June 2010. He received good reviews on his acting in the film and won many acting awards by the end of the year.
It was also in 2010 that TOP released his hit single "Turn It Up". This was the first Korean song to be released worldwide on Itunes.
In November of 2010 TOP and G-Dragon released a collaboration album with the three main singles peeking one at the top of the chart, one at #2 and the other at #3.
T.O.P. 2006
T.O.P. 2007
T.O.P. 2008
T.O.P. 2009
T.O.P. 2010
T.O.P. 2011
T.O.P. 2011 (GD and T.O.P. album look)
T.O.P. early 2012
T.O.P middle 2012
It is confirmed that TOP will be starring in the new film "Alumni" and is rumoured to also be playing a lead role in a remake of Absolute Boyfriend, a popular Japanese manga. The rumour is yet to be confirmed or denied.
*71: Into The Fire is a fabulous and powerful movie that I suggest you watch. The full film is on YouTube and well subtitled. One of the best films I have seen.*
Stage Name : G-Dragon (지드래곤) also known as GD Birth Name: Kwon Ji Yong (권지용)
Family Name (Last Name): Kwon
Born: 18th August 1988, Seoul, South Korea
Age: 24
Role in BIGBANG: Leader, 1 of 2 rappers, composer, record producer
G-Dragon started his career at the age of eight as part of a group called "Little Roora", this group released a Christmas album and then was suddenly dropped by their label. Despite GD's promise to his mother that he would stop singing after being dropped, GD was scouted by YG and became the label's trainee for five years.
GD spent the first year cleaning YG facilities and fetching water for the recording artists, while doing this he met Dong Young-bae, another YG trainee. After six years of training Dong Young-bae and GD released several singles under GDYB.
In 2006 GD became the leader of the new YG group, BIGBANG, with Dong Young-Bae also becoming a member (taking the stage name Taeyang).
GD was the second to release a solo album in the group, following in Taeyang's footsteps, and released the single "Heartbreaker". For the release of the album GD dyed his hair blonde to reflect the meaning of the song. However soon after its release GD was accused of plagiarism by Sony Music as they claimed "Heartbreaker" and "Butterfly" sounded like Flo Rida's "Right Round" and Oasis's "She's Electric". Though this was claimed by Sony Music, EMI the distributors of "Right Round" said they didn't hear any similartities between the same songs. YG fully ended the dispute by asking Flo Rida to appear in GD's new album and Heartbreaker can be found in two versions. One with only GD and the other GD ft Flo Rida.
In 2011, GD was taken in for questioning and testing on the suspicion of substance abuse. Sure that he had never taken drugs GD submitted to the investigation easily and was shocked to find that the test results cam eback positive. He was found to have a small trace of residu on him suggesting he had in recent times smocked a joint. GD himself claims that at a party he accepted a cigarette from a stranger for fear of being rude, which he speculates may have not been a cigarette as he thought at the time. Since only small traces were found he was only fined and charged with a first offense.
G-Dragon 2006
GD then went on to work in collaboration with fellow group mate T.O.P., and they together produced a hit album.
G-Dragon 2007
G-Dragon 2008
G-Dragon 2009 (Heartbreaker hairstyle)
G-Dragon 2010
G-Dragon 2011
G-Dragon 2012 ("alive" album look)
G-Dragon 2012 (early)
G-Dragon 2012 (middle)
GD is said to be planning to release a second solo album later this year, which will feature Ludacris. The first solo song of which is "One of a Kind" released on the 25th August.
He will also be appearing on Pixie Lott's new Japanese album along with T.O.P.
The first group we will look at is YG's BIGBANG. The group consists of 5 male members: G-Dragon, T.O.P., Taeyang, Daesung and Seungri (originally there were six members, So-1 was dropped by the label before the official debut). BIGBANG is recognized throughout the World as a succesful Asian music group, even managing to win an award at the last MTV awards, managing to beat Britteny Spears. The group is well respected for the involvment the members have in creating their own music, inparticular the leader G-Dragon, and also for their difference in music style and fashion.
BIGBANG 2006
BIGBANG 2007
BIGBANG 2008
BIGBANG 2009
BIGBANG 2010
BIGBANG 2011
BIGBANG 2012
The group was formed in 2006 and released thier first single Bigbang. At teh end of December 2006 BIGBANG had their very first concert, called "The Real". In 2007 they promoted in Japan and continued tourng across ASia in 2008. They then began working on solo activities in 2009, returning later in 2010 to collaborate with 2NE1, "The female BIGBANG", on a song called lollipop as well as recording "Tell me Goodbye" for the remake TV of Iris. In 2011 the group released a new album adn began the 2011 Big Show concert. It was in 2011 that BIGBANG won MTV's Best World act award. 2012 saw the release of a new album "Alive" and a rerelease "Still Alive" as well as the groups first world tour, the dates and venues of which are still being announced.
This site is going to be giving you all the information you need on your favourite Korean idols and your favourite Korean groups. The majority of the Blog will be based on groups from SM Entertainment and YG, both music companies from South Korea. This blog will contain files and pictures of each member of each group, that I can accurately relate to you, as well as new music videos, new album releases and tour dates when and if released. I hope this blog will be use full for any English speaking K-pop fan that just wants to know that little bit more and wants to watch their favourite idols in interviews and parodies. Also if I have gotten anything wrong please leave a comment below and I will rectify my mistake, in no way am I an expert so help criticism is welcomed.
To begin with you need to know a few basic facts.....
1) unlike in the UK and USA superstars, in South Korea, are referred to as idols
2) when you are referring to your favourite idol you would refer to them as your "bias"
3)"oppa" is often a term used to refer to a Korean Idol as it is a respectful term in Korea, among other things. For example you may refer to a certain idol as "Siwon Oppa" but it is not regularly done by the majority of English speaking fans.
4)Each group has a fan base with a specific name. For example Super Junior fans are E.L.F's
5)If you want to watch an interview or show in Korean on YouTube ensure that when searching you include "engsub" or "eng sub" in your search. This will bring up English subtitled videos if they are available.
Please note that in the profiles for each idol not all looks and styles for a year can be or will be included. The main look for that year will be the picture used. Thank you.
