The Remarkable Journey of G-DRAGON: Born to Be Different

From idol to artist, and now a cultural icon—G-DRAGON, born Kwon Ji-yong, has never lived an ordinary moment.

A Star from the Start

Born in the summer of 1988 in Yongsan, Seoul, Ji-yong made his first TV appearance at just six years old on the beloved children’s show Bbo Bbo Bbo. Even then, his spark stood out.

With chubby cheeks and piercing eyes, he had that "something special"—a child destined for the stage.

Soon after came Little Roo'Ra, a kids’ version of the popular group Roo'Ra. Ji-yong rapped and danced on stage with confidence and charm beyond his years.

It was then that the first major turning point in his life arrived.

The SM Trainee Days – A Childhood Among Legends

In 1996, he took the stage at a ski resort dance competition—and won. That caught the eye of SM Entertainment’s founder Lee Soo-man. At just eight years old, Ji-yong became an SM trainee.

He trained alongside legends like Shinhwa, S.E.S., and BoA. But back then, SM’s trainee system wasn’t as structured as it is now. Training sessions were rare—sometimes once a month, even once every three months.

Perhaps it was that very downtime that allowed Ji-yong to dream bigger—not just as an idol, but as a true artist.

Enter Hip-Hop: Wu-Tang Clan and a New World

In the third grade, he stumbled upon hip-hop for the first time at a friend’s house. That moment sparked a fire. It was the beginning of G-DRAGON as we know him.

Leaving SM behind, Ji-yong sought a place where he could define his own sound. That place was YG Entertainment.

Introduced to YG by Sean of Jinusean, Ji-yong met Yang Hyun-suk, YG’s founder. The moment they met, Ji-yong turned to his mother and said,
"Mom, I have to join YG."

That instinct would soon lead to the birth of a legend—BIGBANG.

The YG Era and the Rise of BIGBANG

After joining YG, he trained with Taeyang (Dong Young-bae) for six to seven years.
In 2006, through the reality show Real Docu BIGBANG, they made their debut as BIGBANG—with G-DRAGON as the leader.

Hits like Lies, Haru Haru, and Fantastic Baby followed—songs that not only topped charts but shifted the entire landscape of K-POP.
Every beat, lyric, and concept G-DRAGON touched became a trend.

G-DRAGON the Solo Artist

In 2009, he released his first solo album Heartbreaker, selling over 300,000 copies and establishing himself as a true musician—not just an idol.

Then came One of a Kind and COUP D’ETAT, featuring collaborations with global artists.
These projects elevated him to global stardom.

Billboard praised his music as “art beyond boundaries.”
To fashion houses like Chanel and Givenchy, he wasn’t just a model—he was a muse.

At this point, G-DRAGON had become more than a name—he was a genre of his own.

2024–2025: A New Chapter

Leaving YG behind, he began a new journey with Galaxy Corporation. But that wasn’t the only surprise.

He was appointed Visiting Professor of Mechanical Engineering at KAIST, one of Korea’s top universities.

At the Innovate Korea 2024 event, he was officially inaugurated and will give special lectures over the next two years.

And if that wasn’t enough, in 2025, he’ll step into new territory—as a variety show MC.

In MBC’s Good Day, directed by PD Kim Tae-ho, G-DRAGON collaborates with stars like SEVENTEEN BSS, aespa, IU, and DAY6 in a new music project format—dominating headlines with every episode.

The Legend Continues

From a child dancing on Bbo Bbo Bbo to a global icon inspiring millions—G-DRAGON has never followed the crowd.
He’s always paved his own path.

Music, fashion, television, education—his transformation is far from over.

So now we ask ourselves again:
"What will the next chapter of G-DRAGON’s legend look like?"

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💬 Which moment in G-DRAGON’s journey do you remember most?
Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
We’ll be back soon with more stories from the world of G-DRAGON. 🎧🔥

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