K-pop group BigBang, which debuted back in 2006 is credited with being one of the first K-pop boy groups to reach international acclaim. As the icons of Korean pop music, G-Dragon, Taeyang, Daesung, Seungri, and T.O.P were known for their musical individuality and unique stage fashion.
In 2019, Seungri announced his retirement from the entertainment industry and departure from BigBang due to scandals surrounding the Burning Sun nightclub. Now, VIPs are devastated to learn that, yet another member has officially left the group with T.O.P confirming his departure.
Back in February 2022, YG Entertainment announced that T.O.P’s exclusive contract with the label had ended and stated that he would be taking on new challenges as an artist and entrepreneur. However, the statement mentioned that “As long as the conditions are right, (T.O.P) will always participate in BIGBANG’s activities whenever he is able.”
In April 2022, BigBang released their digital single and music video for the song ‘Still Life’. T.O.P then postponed a cryptic message on 5 April 2022 saying, “Thank you all for the last 16 years. It means a lot to me.” The post went on to say, “I look forward to the day when I’ll be able to come back as a man of inspiration in the near future.” This led fans to believe that he would not participate in group activities for a long time.
On 30 May, T.O.P posted a video of himself making music on his Instagram account. When a fan asked him if he’d left BigBang, he replied, “I’VE ALREADY WITHDRAWN. I’VE ALREADY TOLD YOU GUYS THAT I’M LEAVING AND I’M NOW FACING A NEW CHAPTER IN MY LIFE SINCE LAST YEAR. He further responded to another comment that he is coming back “SOLO”.
[ notpannchoa ] TOP confirms he left Bigbang in IG comments pic.twitter.com/e4qAblrVzf
— notpannchoa (@notpannchoa2) May 31, 2023
He also shared announcements of his comeback on his Instagram story and crossed out the name BigBang wherever it mentioned him as a member.
He also reposted a translation of an article that had stated that the rapper and actor had left the group.
Oh TOP leaving Bigbang ???? pic.twitter.com/izEu54jdDw
— Cha ?? (@khaty_suhaimi) May 31, 2023
At the time of writing, YG Entertainment and the other members of BigBang have not commented on his announcement.
Image credit: @choi_seung_hyun_tttop, YG Entertainment