Bigbang

Bigbang is a South Korean boy band from Seoul, South Korea, active from 2006 to the present. The group is formed by YG Entertainment and appears as a five-member act: 승리, T.O.P, G‐DRAGON, 강대성 and TAEYANG. It is a hip hop, K-pop and pop group, and its name is also written as BIGBANG.

Formation and early years

The group debuts at the YG Family 10th Anniversary Concert on 19 August 2006. Its formation comes through a long audition process that is shown as a 10-episode television documentary. In its first year, the group faces criticism and weak sales for its early hip-hop singles and first studio album, BigBang Vol. 1.

Music and breakthrough

Bigbang becomes known for combining urban-influenced music with fashion, and for the members’ involvement in writing and producing their own material, especially G-Dragon. Their breakthrough comes with Lies, which spends a record-breaking seven consecutive weeks at number one on Korean charts. Follow-up releases Hot Issue and Stand Up add further hits, including Last Farewell and Haru Haru.

Awards and recognition

Between 2007 and 2008, the group receives major awards including Best Male Group, Song of the Year, Artist of the Year and the Grand Award at the Seoul Music Awards. In 2011, representing the Asia-Pacific region, Bigbang wins the inaugural Best Worldwide Act award at the MTV Europe Music Awards. The group also becomes the first foreign act to receive the Best Newcomer award from the Japan Cable Broadcasting Station and Best New Artist at MTV Japan.

Japanese activities and touring

From 2009 to 2010, Bigbang expands into Japan and is voted the Korean group Japanese fans most want to see. In 2012, it releases its fifth mini album, Alive, in Korea and Japan, and undertakes its first world tour, visiting 25 cities in 16 countries.

Solo work and side projects

During Japanese promotions, the members also pursue solo careers. Taeyang, G-Dragon and Seungri release solo albums. G-Dragon and T.O.P record a collaborative album as the sub-unit GD & TOP. Seungri and Daesung appear in TV dramas and musicals, T.O.P becomes active as a film and television drama star, and Daesung hosts variety television shows in Korea.

Fans and image

Fans of Bigbang are called VIPs. The group’s official light stick is a yellow crown, reflecting its nickname as the Kings.