Cover For G-Dragon, true artistry lives in fearless defiance. (Photo: Han Myung-Gu/WireImage / Getty Images)
For G-Dragon, true artistry lives in fearless defiance. (Photo: Han Myung-Gu/WireImage / Getty Images)
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From surprise drops to rule-breaking comebacks, these seven tracks show how G-Dragon turned every risk into a defining moment—and reshaped the sound and strategy of K-pop in the process
G-Dragon is storming through Asia on his Übermensch world tour, reaffirming his reputation as K-pop’s rebel king. The BigBang leader dropped Übermensch in February 2025—his first full-length release in over a decade—before launching the tour in South Korea, then electrifying crowds across Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and beyond. Now, the singer is in Hong Kong for three sold-out nights at AsiaWorld-Arena on August 8, 9 and 10.
To mark the moment, we look back at seven career-defining tracks where G-Dragon broke and rewrote the rules of K-pop. Each anthem shows how Kwon Ji-yong turned moments of risk into statements of power, proving that true artistry lives in fearless defiance.
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‘Heartbreaker’ (2009)
G-Dragon’s solo debut sparked a plagiarism controversy that drew intense media scrutiny, with claims that the title track resembled Flo Rida’s 2009 hit “Right Round”. However, no legal action followed, and Flo Rida himself dismissed the accusations. In a surprising turn, the two later collaborated on an official “Heartbreaker” remix and performed it live in Korea. The unexpected team-up flipped the narrative, transforming early backlash into a powerful launchpad for G-Dragon’s solo career.
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‘That XX’ (2012)
Due to its lyrical theme of infidelity, this acoustic track from the EP One of a Kind was self-labelled 19+, severely limiting broadcast and promotional reach. Songs with mature ratings simply couldn’t become mainstream hits until G-Dragon proved otherwise. Despite the restrictions, “That XX” achieved number one on South Korea’s Gaon Digital Chart, proving his artistic reputation could override industry censorship and commercial limitations.
‘One of a Kind’ (2012)
K-pop albums traditionally required catchy, commercially friendly songs to succeed. G-Dragon boldly chose “One of a Kind”, a swag-filled, trap-influenced hip-hop track, as his promotional single to the EP of the same name—decidedly not radio-friendly in the conventional sense. The gamble paid off spectacularly when the track won Best Rap & Hip Hop Song at the Korean Music Awards, showing that artists could lead with artistic statements instead of expected formulas.
‘Crayon’ (2012)
Traditional songwriting demanded coherent genre consistency throughout each track. “Crayon” famously breaks its structure midway through, starting as a hip-hop track before abruptly switching into a high-octane electronic dance banger. This chaotic, genre-bending approach was celebrated rather than criticised, becoming an iconic representation of G-Dragon’s unpredictable creativity and proving that hit songs didn’t need predictable structures to captivate audiences.
‘Crooked’ (2013)
K-pop music videos have long relied on polished choreography and tightly controlled aesthetics. But with the video for “Crooked”, from his album Coup d’Etat, G-Dragon tossed that formula out. Shot guerrilla-style on the streets of London, the video follows him in a chaotic, emotionally unhinged rampage—no pristine sets, no backup dancers, just raw, rebellious energy. The result was a global hit, praised for its cinematic grit and punk-rock edge. By rejecting the genre’s visual norms, G-Dragon opened the door for a more unfiltered form of K-pop expression.
‘Untitled, 2014’ (2017)
Successful comebacks once relied on weeks of teasers, heavy promotion and music show appearances until G-Dragon ignored the playbook entirely. This simple piano ballad, the lead for his EP Kwon Ji Yong, arrived as a surprise release with zero prior announcement and a minimalist, one-take music video. Relying solely on his reputation and the song’s emotional weight, it achieved a “Perfect All-Kill”—topping all major real-time, daily and weekly Korean music charts simultaneously. The moment proved that an established artist could bypass the usual promotional machinery and still dominate the industry.
‘Power’ (2024)
Released in October 2024 as the lead single from his newest album Übermensch, “Power” defied expectations for a comeback track. After a multi-year absence, conventional wisdom called for a safe, fan-friendly release to secure success. Instead, G-Dragon delivered a sonically bold, industrial-influenced anthem that critics praised as an unapologetic artistic statement. Despite its unconventional sound, “Power” shot to the top spot of major real-time Korean charts—Genie, Bugs and Vibe—showcasing its immediate impact. Its chart dominance proved that G-Dragon could still lead the industry without playing by its rules.
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After more than a decade in lifestyle media, Clifford has mastered the art of writing seriously about things that are fun—and writing fun things about people who take themselves very seriously. At Tatler Asia, he helped steer its flagship lists, Tatler’s Most Influential and Asia’s Most Stylish. And today, he leads T-Labs, Tatler Asia’s content innovation hub, where he continues the noble pursuit of lifestyle storytelling, spinning stories on wealth, entertainment, necessary style, Hallyu, Hollywood, beauty and more for audiences across Asia.
