Kwon Ji-Yong, popularly known by his stage name G-Dragon, is a South Korean rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer who rose to fame as the leader and member of the legendary K-pop group BIGBANG. With his distinctive fashion sense, charisma, and musical talent, he has become a cultural icon in South Korea and worldwide. This K-pop icon is no stranger to winning on weekly music shows.
In the fiercely competitive world of K-pop, music show trophies are the ultimate badge of honor for idols. These coveted awards are typically bestowed on weekly music shows like Inkigayo, Music Bank, and Show! Music Core, among others. For K-pop artists, winning a music show trophy represents a defining moment in their career, signifying their immense popularity and success. As the K-pop industry enters its fourth generation, G-Dragon's impressive feat of winning music show trophies across every generation is a testament to his unparalleled talent, artistry, and influence in the fiercely competitive landscape of K-pop.
Before GD's official debut with BIGBANG, he had already tasted wins in music shows during the first generation of K-pop with the YG Family’s hit track "Hip-Hop Gentlemen," which was released in 2002 as a part of the YG Family’s 2nd album titled 'Why Be Normal.'
In 2006, GD marked his debut with BIGBANG, and after a year, they earned their first music show trophy on Music Bank with their monumental hit, "Lies," in 2007. From there on, GD and BIGBANG secured numerous music show trophies during the second and third generations of K-pop.
In the era of fourth-generation of K-pop, BIGBANG marked their comeback last year after a four-year hiatus with the release of their digital single titled "Still Life." The song received an overwhelming response and became the most successful boy group track in South Korea in 2022, earning the group a total of nine music show trophies. With this achievement, BIGBANG's cumulative tally of music show victories has now reached an impressive 102.
As a soloist, GD got his first music show win with his first solo album, "Heartbreaker," in 2009. He received further recognition for his solo work, with the last music show award coming in 2017 for the title track "Untitled, 2014" from his second mini album 'Kwon Ji Yong.'
G-Dragon's influence in the Korean music industry is undeniable. He has been credited with revolutionizing K-pop with his unique style and sound. His music has inspired a generation of Korean artists and fans, and his impact can still be seen in the industry today. As per reports, GD is in the process of preparing a solo album, and VIPs are eagerly anticipating his upcoming musical release.
What a lovely article. G-Dragon is indeed a cultural icon. He has such an undeniable x factor in addition to musical talent and aesthetic sense. It is an honour to know and love him.