K-pop superstar G-Dragon has opened up about one of the darkest periods of his career, revealing that he seriously considered retiring from the music industry following a devastating drug investigation in 2023. The BIGBANG leader shared intimate details about the emotional trauma he experienced during this challenging time in a candid interview on MBC's current affairs program "Sohn Suk-hee's Questions," which aired on Wednesday.
During the interview, G-Dragon reflected on the investigation that occurred approximately one year before he released his comeback single "Power" in late 2023. The internationally renowned artist was subjected to a police probe on suspicion of violating South Korea's Act on the Control of Narcotics, charges from which he was ultimately cleared in December 2023. "I was involved in a certain incident about a year before releasing 'Power,'" G-Dragon explained, his voice conveying the lingering pain from that experience.
The 35-year-old music icon described feeling completely powerless during the investigation, with no platform to defend himself or share his perspective. "There was nowhere to voice my personal opinions or feelings. Even though I was a victim, the situation spiraled out of control, leaving me feeling disheartened and empty," he said. The weight of public scrutiny and media attention during this period left him questioning his entire career and future in the entertainment industry.
G-Dragon, whose real name is Kwon Ji-yong, is widely recognized not only as a talented singer and rapper but also as a fashion icon and influential songwriter who has shaped the K-pop landscape for over a decade. His return to the music scene in late 2023 with "Power" marked the end of a seven-year hiatus, making his comeback one of the most anticipated events in the Korean entertainment industry. The song, he revealed, was deeply personal and served as his artistic response to the traumatic experience.
"I didn't even want to hold a press conference to state my position," G-Dragon admitted, highlighting just how deeply the ordeal had affected him. "I thought, 'Is it right for me to make a comeback?' I could have just retired and lived as an ordinary person, but there was no reason to do that either." This internal struggle between his desire to escape the spotlight and his passion for music created a profound conflict that nearly ended his illustrious career.
The artist described his comeback single "Power" as a "humorous satire on the media," using his art to process and respond to the way his situation was handled by the press. "The only thing I could do during that difficult time was to express myself through music," he explained, emphasizing how creativity became his outlet and salvation during the crisis. The song represents not just his return to music, but his resilience in the face of adversity.
Currently, G-Dragon is channeling his renewed energy into his "Ubermensch" world tour, which has taken him to venues across Asia and beyond. Following performances in Hanoi, Vietnam, over the weekend, he is preparing for the tour's grand finale with three consecutive shows at the prestigious Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, scheduled for December 12-14. These concerts represent a triumphant return for an artist who nearly walked away from the stage forever, demonstrating his ability to transform personal struggle into artistic triumph.
