Who is G-Dragon?

G-Dragon — whose real name is Kwon Ji-yong — debuted as boy band Big Bang’s leader, rapper, lead dancer and sub-vocalist in August 2006. Although all these positions apply, the credit that has followed him longest is producer.

G-Dragon wrote, arranged and produced the bulk of Big Bang’s catalogue at a point when idols were not expected to do any of that. His solo career opened with “Heartbreaker” in 2009. Subunits with fellow Big Bang members followed, as did a long tenure of guest appearances on MBC’s “Infinite Challenge” (2006-18).

The past few years have been the busiest of the singer’s life. G-Dragon parted with YG Entertainment in June 2023, ending a 17-year association, and signed with Galaxy Corporation. His third studio album, "Übermensch" — his first full-length release in nearly 12 years — arrived on Feb. 25, 2025, with eight tracks including "Power," "Home Sweet Home" and the Anderson .Paak collaboration "Too Bad."

Away from the stage, G-Dragon became Chanel’s first Asian global ambassador in 2016, a relationship that has now outlasted his label contracts. His own imprint, Peaceminusone, designed off-field leisure tracksuits for the Korean national football team. KAIST appointed G-Dragon a visiting professor of mechanical engineering in 2024. That August he founded the JusPeace Foundation, focused on drug addiction and artist welfare.

Big Bang’s 20th-anniversary tour begins in August 2026.

BY LIM JEONG-WON [lim.jeongwon@joongang.co.kr]