Big Bang as big as ever and heading for Hong Kong
K-pop survivors have weathered their fair share of storms. If anything, the controversies have burnished their reputation
K-pop may have a massive global fan base that adores its catchy music, stylish stars and high production values, but individuality is not usually a word that comes to mind when describing the genre.
The industry is often criticised for churning out cookie-cutter groups that look, act and sound eerily, almost robotically, similar. But in a nation that values homogeneity, South Korea's Big Bang have stood out from their rivals by cultivating an image and promoting the individual creativity of its members.
Since Big Bang made their debut in 2006, the five-member group - consisting of singers G-Dragon, T.O.P, Taeyang, Seungri and Daesung - have dabbled in everything from hip hop and R&B to electronic dance music (EDM) and rock. Their endeavours have also gone beyond music and into the realms of fashion, lifestyle and the arts.
With a new album, MADE, to be launched in the coming months, Big Bang kicked off their 2015 world tour in Seoul last month and will call through Hong Kong for three sold-out concerts at AsiaWorld-Arena next month.
G-Dragon, the group's leader, spoke to 48 Hours in Seoul earlier this month about his enthusiasm for the upcoming shows. "I'm always excited to go to Hong Kong because it's a great place," G-Dragon, whose real name is Kwon Ji-yong, says while a slightly bored-looking Taeyang sits nearby at a fashion event in Seoul. "I really wanted to head over earlier [this year, but I was too busy before]."
And with that, G-Dragon and Taeyang are engulfed by the crowd and disappear into their flock of admirers.