BIGBANG’s G-Dragon Officially Parts Ways With YG Entertainment
BIGBANG’s G-Dragon and his longtime agency YG Entertainment will be officially parting ways.
Previously on December 18, G-Dragon was acquitted of his drug-related charges.
On December 20, Galaxy Corporation—the company that G-Dragon was reported to sign with—shared that they will be holding an official press conference on December 21 to explain and outline G-Dragon’s drug-related case following his acquittal as well as to discuss his future activities for 2024. They further stated that G-Dragon will not be present at the press conference.
However, Sports Seoul also reported that there was a likelihood of G-Dragon renewing his contract with YG Entertainment. Following the reports, a source from YG Entertainment shared that it is difficult to comment on the matter.
Later in the day, YG Entertainment released the following statement on BIGBANG’s official website.
This is YG Entertainment.
G-Dragon was one of the representative artists of our agency, and all the time together with him since his debut with BIGBANG in 2006 has been an honor.
We sincerely wish G-Dragon success on his new start.
We ask fans for lots of encouragement and support.
Thank you.
G-Dragon’s contract with YG Entertainment expired in June earlier this year. At the time, YG Entertainment shared an update on his contract status, stating that although their exclusive contract with G-Dragon expired, they are collaborating with him through a separate contract for his other activities such as advertisement and more.
Wishing G-Dragon all the best on his new start!
G-Dragon
Kwon Ji Yong, better known by his stage name G-Dragon, is a South Korean rapper, singer, songwriter, producer, and model.
After 6 years as a trainee under the record label YG Entertainment, G-Dragon officially debuted as the leader and one of two rappers for the Korean group Big Bang. G-Dragon has been involved with writing, composing and producing many of Big Bang’s tracks, including “Lies”, “Last Farewell”, and “Haru Haru”.
He released his debut solo album, “Heartbreaker”, which yielded the number-one single of the same name. The album went on to become one of the most successful albums of the year, garnering sales of over 200,000 copies and winning the Mnet Asian Music Awards for Album of the Year. Heartbreaker also sparked major controversies for the artist, including accusations of plagiarism.
After almost a year of hiatus, G-Dragon and bandmate T.O.P collaborated to record and release the album GD & TOP (2010). The album saw the release of three singles: “High High,” “Oh Yeah,” and “Knock Out,” all of which have charted within the top three positions of the Gaon chart, with “High High” becoming a chart-topper.
G-Dragon’s influence extends beyond the music industry, having shaped major trends in South Korea. His tight control over his image and artistry has won him praise for his contribution to fashion, and his lyrical content and composition have garnered him awards.
In June 2023, YG Entertainment revealed that their exclusive contract with G-Dragon had expired.
On December 21, 2023, it was announced that he had signed with Galaxy Corporation.
G-Dragon Officially Signs With New Agency + Announces Comeback Next Year
BIGBANG’s G-Dragon has announced his comeback next year with his new agency!
On December 21, G-Dragon’s agency Galaxy Corporation held a press conference to explain and outline G-Dragon’s drug-related case following his acquittal as well as to discuss his future activities for 2024. G-Dragon was not present at the press conference.
At the press conference, director Jo Sung Hae of Galaxy Corporation officially announced, “Galaxy Corporation and artist G-Dragon signed an exclusive contract. Artist Kwon Ji Yong (G-Dragon’s real name) and Galaxy, who are not just a relationship of [an artist and] an agency but a relationship of partners and companions, will continue to take on challenges that have never been done and could not be done in the world. Moreover, in order to take a path that others have not taken, we will bridge each other’s gap and show not only the side that Kwon Ji Yong has shown so far but also the side that he has not shown before.”
Regarding the reason for the delay in announcing the signing of an exclusive contract, director Jo Sung Hae said, “We were waiting for [G-Dragon’s] former agency’s position. Thankfully, yesterday, his former agency released a statement wishing blessings to Kwon Ji Yong’s future, and we also express our sincere gratitude to YG Entertainment. Thanks to YG, the Kwon Ji Yong of today exists. Galaxy will do our best to continue the path of glory that YG and G-Dragon have walked without forgetting.”
With regards to G-Dragon’s future activities, director Jo Sung Hae briefly stated, “G-Dragon will make a comeback in 2024.”
On the morning of that day, G-Dragon posted an image on his Instagram, commemorating his journey with his new agency.