Big Bang's leader G-Dragon is, without a doubt, one of the hottest icons of Korean pop culture today. Possessing an abundance of skills and talents, the boy also owns a modern-day Midas touch, as everything he creates immediately becomes a coveted trend by the next day. Though he's only 23 years old, he's managed to garner enough experience to be praised by both pop culture critics and industry representatives as 'the musician whose future they anticipate the most'. Considering all his accomplishments, he sounds like an intimidating figure - but when the interviewer met the golden boy, G-Dragon proved to be a thoughtful, modest soul who laughed shyly and had a tendency to bite his lips when in thought. That is, until the topic of music came up. G-Dragon's eyes lit up with anticipation when the reporter observed, "The way you express your reality through your raps is quite meaningful." G-Dragon responded, "I wanted to show my true self, not how I wanted to be seen by others.  Stories full of my own thoughts and experiences are what I wanted to share.  Just very freely and comfortably, I wanted to say 'this is who I am.'  As Big Bang's leader, I'm under the pressure to lead the group, but recently, I've had a lot of fun just enjoying myself.  Music has to be enjoyed, not regarded as work.  If you're squeezed under the pressure of work, it's difficult to produce good music.  Regardless, as I experienced different things, I was able to organize a bit of my thoughts, as well as come up with some things to say." At the mention of 'experiencing different things,' the reporter asked him to elaborate.  "I've earned a lot of compliments, but I also think I've received a lot of hateful replies as well.  At the time, I was extremely hurt and placed in a difficult situation." G-Dragon's first solo concert came under fire for sexually suggestive content, and the reporter inquired how the star managed to overcome the painful experience. He explained, "What's shown on stage is ultimately up to the artist. The situation arose because of me, so I needed to take responsibility of it.  There's no need to say this or that through words or talk, all that is needed is to present better music next time." The reporter mused, "You sound like a person who has reached nirvana." G-Dragon responded, "My seniors were a great source of strength, and time helped in healing.  I also heard ever since I was little that I seemed older than I looked." The reporter then asked G-Dragon to pick a track from GD&TOP's album which he felt best represented him at this time. "I think it's 'High High'," he said. "I stand on stage as a singer, but the stage is not a job to me.  When I go on stage, I go crazy and play.  It makes me feel as if I've returned to the 'Kid Roo'Ra' stage, dancing around like that." (For reference, when G-Dragon was seven years old, he made his first TV debut by parodying the popular group 'Roo'Ra' under the nickname 'Kid Roo'Ra.'  At 13, he joined YG Entertainment.) G-Dragon then elaborated on the pressures which come with high praise and expectations. "I once read that someone called me a 'genius,' but that's a misunderstanding.  It's uncomfortable, and it puts a lot of pressure on me when people see me like that. I learned about music at an earlier age than most, and through my own efforts, came across good luck and opportunity; that's all it is. I might've shined more because there weren't many like me then." The reporter then asked about Big Bang's comeback, and what fans should look forward to. "I'd like for you to anticipate a bigger Big Bang," said G-Dragon. "We're planning to show cool, rock-influenced songs. Up until 'Red Sunset,' we might've looked like kids, but this latest release will show how much more manlier we've become. Big Bang's last album earned a lot of love, but we're hoping to take a bigger shot this time." Didn't they already show the crowd their big shot?  "No," he replied, "Everything just happened to fall in place, but there was a bit of luck and exaggeration. What we're worried about is not what we show, but how we live up to the expectations in the back." To wrap up the interview, G-Dragon was asked to share one hardship that his celebrity life forces him to endure. "It's eating.  I always have to have a stew when I eat, but people look at me weird when I eat like that.  It's also upsetting that I can't go to those delicious seolleongtang and stew restaurants as I wish." Source: KyungHang.com via Nate