MUSIC
T.O.P. from K-pop boy band BIGBANG has officially left the group
The former rapper of the hit K-pop group has confirmed his departure.
South Korean singer and rapper T.O.P. from the K-pop boy band BIGBANG has confirmed his “withdrawal” from the group.
Back in 2022, T.O.P. announced that he was planning on leaving YG Entertainment, the music label behind BIGBANG, BLACKPINK, 2NE1, Epik High, and many more.
At the time, YG released a statement that although T.O.P. has ended his contract, he would still participate in the group’s comeback, which was delayed in 2020 due to the pandemic, where they planned on performing at Coachella.
Now, T.O.P. has confirmed he has officially left the group after a fan asked if he left.
“I’VE ALREADY WITHDRAWN,” he answered in English.
Shortly after his comment, he shared “I’M SO HAPPY” on his Instagram stories, seemingly confirming that he is happy with his decision.
He then shared news articles in Korean that confirmed he is announcing a solo comeback and that he is in the process of making a new album. In June 2022 he was reportedly spotted filming a music video in New York City.
T.O.P.’s history with BIGBANG
T.O.P., born Choi Seung-hyun, had been signed to YG for fifteen years, beginning in 2006 when he was 20 years old. He later debuted with the boy band BIGBANG along with Taeyang, G-Dragon, Daesung and Seungri.
They released their debut single album ‘Big Bang’ in 2006.
The single album also contains the song ‘We Belong Together’ featuring label mate Park Bom of the girl group 2NE1.
BIGBANG is credited with being one of the first K-pop boy bands to reach international acclaim. Their EP ‘Alive’ released in 2012 became the first Korean album to chart on the Billboard 200.
The group embarked on their first world tour in 2012 called the ‘Alive Galaxy Tour’.
The band has since released hit singles such as ‘Lies’, ‘With U’, ‘Haru Haru’, ‘Bad Boy, ‘Fantastic Baby’, ‘Bang Bang Bang’, and ‘Fxxk It’.
In 2022, YG released a statement about BIGBANG’s plans going forward and T.O.P’s departure from the band.
“BIGBANG will be releasing a new song this spring.
We have finished the recording of the song and are about to film the music video.
We have also respected T.O.P’s opinion that he wanted to expand his personal activities aside from his promotions with BIGBANG, and he also discussed it with the other members, who understood.
If the conditions are right, T.O.P will always be able to participate in BIGBANG’s promotions.”
They then released their first single in four years, ‘Still Life’, with Taeyang, Daesung, G-Dragon, and T.O.P.