Big Bang (Korean: 빅뱅), commonly stylized as BIGBANG, is a Korean boyband made up of five Korean singers. Although their debut was somewhat successful, it was not until the release of "거짓말" ("Lies") that the group gained mainstream success.
2009: Branching out
The group went on a break in early 2009, with all of them pursuing solo activities. During this time, they collaborated with 2NE1, a new girl group from their entertainment company and also being called The Female Big Bang, for the song "Lollipop"; they filmed a music video for it as well. Although it was a song used to promote a cell phone, it has since hit #1 on various online charts.
After their success with "Lollipop", the group released their first Japanese single named "My Heaven" in May 2009, their major debut in Japan. The song is a Japanese translation of their song "Heaven" from the EP Stand Up.[citation needed], and was composed by acclaimed Japanese composer Daishi Dance. Due to an interesting promotional campaign in which the group performed on several Morning News programs, Big Bang's single debuted at a surprisingly high no. 3 on the Oricon Charts.
Later in 2—0, Big Bang released their second Japanese single titled "Gara Gara Go!" on July 8, 2009 which reached number 5 on the Oricon charts.[19] "Gara Gara Go!!" marked the group's first performances on some of Japan's major music shows, like Hey!Hey!Hey! Music Champ and Music Station. With the release of two successful Japanese singles, Big Bang released their first full-length Japanese album under Universal Music, aptly titled Big Bang, which charted in at No. 3.
Almost immediately after the release of their first album, Big Bang returned to Korea. On August 18, G-Dragon released his first solo album titled Heartbreaker which was, despite fair amounts of controversy, a great success. Fellow member Taeyang is set to release his second solo during November and it has been confirmed that filming for his single "Where U At" has been completed.
On October 15, 2009, Big Bang announced their first tie-up with a Japanese drama; they will be providing the theme song for TBS's Friday night drama Ohitorisama starring Alisa Mizuki and Teppei Koike. The official release of this new Japanese single entitled "Koe Wo Kikasete" will be on November 4, 2009.
On October 27, 2009 Big Band Release a new single called Let Me Hear Your Voice.
Musical styles
Big Bang's music style can be classified for the most part as hip pop music (as seen with the songs "La, La, La" and "Goodbye Baby"), with a little vibe of R&B (as seen with the songs "We Belong Together" and "Forever With You"), dance ("Shake It") and mainstream ("This Love") music. Rock with "Oh My Friend". Finally, becoming the greatest hit songs of 2007, (as seen with the songs "Lies", "Last Farewell", and "Haru Haru (Day By Day)") electronica is seemingly becoming the new music trend in Korea. However, the members have branched out into different genres in their solo work, including singing ballads and mainstream pop music. Big Bang even once mentioned in an interview that if they want to, they might do trot someday. Daesung's first digital single, "Look at Me, GwiSun" ("날 봐, 귀순"), was a trot song, which had been somewhat controversial considering Big Bang's primary focus on hip-hop.
The members of Big Bang often contribute to writing lyrics for their own music as well as composing despite only debuting in 2006. The most notable from the group to compose and write is leader G-Dragon, as he has composed and written numerous songs for the group, including "Lies" and "Last Farewell." Aside from G-Dragon, the others members have contributed to writing lyrics as well. T.O.P has also written a song for their third mini album Stand up, called "Good Man". On a whole, Big Bang has received praises from critics, fans, and other singers alike for contributions to their own materials.
Dance style
Big Bang often rely on free style and street dancing (as evidenced in their music video for "Good Bye Baby"). They are choreographed by world-class choreographer Shaun Evaristo, (as seen in "Number 1" and "With U" music videos) who also choreographs their concerts and Taeyang's solo projects. They do break dancing as well. Like the popular boy band Shinhwa, Big Bang's own unique style of dancing is credited to a member of theirs, Seungri. Seungri has choreographed some of Big Bang's moves (such as the jump rope dance from "Last Farewell") and has been noted for this.
Members:
G-Dragon (GD)
Real Name: Kwon, Ji Yong (권지용, 權志龍)
Date of Birth: August 18, 1988 (age 21)
Position: Leader, Rapper, Composer,
Education: Seoul Korean Traditional Arts Middle & High School , KyungHee University [Art Design Post Modern Music]
G-Dragon is the leader of Big Bang. He has been trained by YG Entertainment since the age of twelve, often at the side of fellow member Taeyang. He often composes the group's material, such as "Lies", "Last Farewell", etc. He is now working closely with producing the music of one of the newest girl groups with Teddy, from YG Entertainment, 2NE1. His first full solo album, Heartbreaker, was released on August 18, 2009, which is also his birthday, also released other songs of his album(Heart Breaker). As a child, he was in a group of Mini Roo'ra as a kids version of the original Roo'ra group.
Taeyang (SoL)
Real Name: Dong, Young Bae (동영배, 東永裴)
Date of Birth: May 18, 1988 (age 21)
Position: Main/Lead Vocalist
Education: Daejin University [Theater and Film Major]
Taeyang's first appearance, along with G-Dragon, was made in one of 1TYM's music video. Taeyang started out as a rapper, but is now the main vocalist of Big Bang. He was the first one to release a solo album called HOT during the summer of 2008 and had his first solo concert. On 2008-8-7 he opened a concert for Alicia Keys in South Korea, where he performed his 2 singles: 기도 (Prayer) and 나만 바라봐 (Look Only At Me). Taeyang is also known for his free style dancing ability, which has become more prominent since the band's debut. According to Naver, Taeyang's next album was expected to be a full album, but YG later announced the change and it is now expected to be another mini; it is scheduled to be released in October 2009. It will be produced by YG Entertainment's rising producer and 1TYM Member Teddy (Park Hong-joon). Taeyang's digital single "Where U At" from his second solo full album which he composed also with the wedding dress single (TBA), was released on 15 October 2009. The digital single topped Mnet and Cyworld charts shortly after release on the same day, standing at the #1 spot.
Seungri (V.I, Victory)
Real Name: Lee, Seung-hyeon (이승현, 李勝賢)
Date of Birth: December 12, 1990 (age 18)
Position: Vocalist
Education: Chung-Ang University [Theater and Film]
Seungri, the youngest member of Big Bang, also known as the Maknae, was born in Gwangju. Before Big Bang, he was a member of Ilhwa, a Gwangju dance team. In the summer 2005, Seungri appeared on an episode of "Let's Cokeplay: M.net Battle Shinhwa", a TV show to find the second Shinhwa through auditions. In the thirteenth episode, he was cut from the show because his singing was not impressive enough, though his dancing was. He debuted in the musical "Sonagi" 2008 and in the movie "Why Did You Come To My House" 2008. He is starring in a musical call "Shouting". He is featured in the upcoming drama 19 with fellow member, T.O.P..
T.O.P (Tempo)
Real Name: Choi, Seung Hyun (최승현, 崔勝鉉)
Date of Birth: November 4, 1987 (age 21)
Position: Rapper, Beat-Boxer, Composer
Education: Seoul Art College [Majoring in Musical], but switched to Dankook University [Majoring in Theatre and Film]
He is the oldest in the group. Before joining Big Bang, T.O.P received recognition by winning KBS's "Rap Battle" in 2003. He acted in the Korean television drama I Am Sam. He has also done a teenage suspense teledrama 19 in SBS alongside fellow Big Bang member Seungri and fellow YG actress Heo I Jae. He is currently starring in the new KBS2 drama IRIS alongside actors Kim Tae Hee and Lee Byung Hun which was initially aried last October 14, 2009. Aside from his role in Big Bang, he has collaborated with various artists, including Red Roc for "Hello," singer Gummy's "Mianhaeyo" ("미안해요", "I'm Sorry"), and Uhm Jung-hwa for "D.I.S.C.O."
Daesung (D-Lite)
Real Name: Kang, Dae Sung (강대성, 姜大成)
Date of Birth: April 26, 1989 (age 20)
Position: Vocalist
Education: KyeongIn High School , KyungHee University [Art Design Post Modern Music]
Daesung was recruited in an audition, and even though he was jokingly known as "unpretty boy" among the staff, he turned out to be extremely popular. While being trained, he received vocal training from Wheesung, one of his favorite artists. Wheesung also helped other members from Big Bang. Also during training, he was diagnosed with vocal cord nodules. He was the first member of Big Bang to be a permanent-member of a variety show, appearing regularly on Family Outing since 2008. He is close with fellow Korean celebrities Yoo Jae Seok, Lee Hyori, and Kim Jong Kook. Daesung was also the second member to appear in a musical. He debuted in a Korean version of Cats, which members from the variety show Family Outing came to support. In April 2007, Daesung decided to quit high school in order to focus on his work in Big Bang full time. He has expressed however, a desire to pass his college entrance exams sometime in the future. In August 11, 2009, Daesung was injured in an unfortunate car accident. Reports claimed that the 20 year old member of Big Bang was heading back to Seoul after shooting SBS television program Family Outing. The incident happened on Pyeongtaek Express highway. The van where whom he and his manager as well as stylist was sitting in, skidded along the road as it was heavily pouring out. The vehicle hit a rail and also crashed into a tree, almost uprooting it. Daesung broke his nose, a rib, and had bruises on his arms and face. YG Entertainment said that it would be a minimum of 4 weeks rest, but since they found an eye injury, it would be a minimum of 8 weeks instead. YG Entertainment later stated that Daesung would not be attending his musical and they would use this time to let him rest.
