BIGBANG Then and Now: What to Know About the K-Pop Icons’ Journey and Their Planned 2026 Comeback
Few names in K-pop carry the weight of BIGBANG. Since bursting onto the scene in 2006 under YG Entertainment, the group has shaped the sound and global reach of Korean pop music, earning legions of fans around the world with hits like “BANG BANG BANG” and “Fantastic Baby.” But the group’s story has been anything but simple.
Over nearly two decades, BIGBANG has weathered member departures, legal controversies, and years-long hiatuses. Now, with a major 2026 comeback and a world tour on the horizon — including a performance at Coachella — fans old and new are asking: Where does BIGBANG stand today, and what comes next?
Here’s a comprehensive look at where each member is and what the future holds for the group.
From Five to Three: How BIGBANG’s Lineup Changed
BIGBANG originally debuted as a five-member group composed of G-Dragon, Taeyang, T.O.P., Daesung and Seungri. Each member brought a distinct personality and musical identity to the group. But the lineup that fans first fell in love with has changed significantly over the years.
The group’s trajectory shifted in 2017 when T.O.P became embroiled in controversy tied to marijuana use. During his mandatory military service in June of that year, it was revealed he would face prosecution related to the charges, alongside a reported overdose that drew widespread attention.
Years later, he reflected on that period in a 2022 interview with Prestige Hong Kong, calling it “the worst moment” of his life.
“This is the first time I’ve spoken about this publicly, but I did try to commit suicide about five years ago,” he told the magazine. “I realised later how much hurt and painful memories I gave to the people around me, my family and fans out there.”
T.O.P also shared that he had struggled with depression from a young age and spent the years following writing music, completing more than 100 songs.
“It’s been my motivation, like wanting to fill up a bookshelf with my work. It’s been my passion. I realized how precious it is to pay back what I’ve received. I feel that I’m reborn.”
The second major shift came in 2019, when Seungri retired from the entertainment industry amid the highly publicized Burning Sun scandal. He was convicted in 2020 of charges including prostitution mediation and embezzlement. Originally sentenced to three years in prison, Seungri’s term was reduced to 18 months in 2022 following his admission of guilt. He was released on February 9, 2023.
In 2022, it was revealed that T.O.P had ended his exclusive contract with YG Entertainment. Despite this, he participated in the group’s comeback single, “Still Life,” which was released on April 5, 2022, marking the group’s debut as a quartet. That single was the group’s first release in four years.
However, T.O.P later announced on May 31, 2023, that he had officially withdrawn from BIGBANG, leaving the group as a trio of G-Dragon, Taeyang and Daesung.
The End of the YG Entertainment Era
For much of their career, BIGBANG was synonymous with YG Entertainment, one of South Korea’s biggest entertainment companies. But by mid-2023, the group’s relationship with the label had fully dissolved.
Following T.O.P’s departure in 2022, Taeyang left to join The Black Label, a subsidiary of YG, while Daesung also exited to pursue opportunities under a label called R&D.
Finally, in June 2023, G-Dragon’s contract with YG expired, officially ending the group’s relationship with the label. Later that year, he signed to Galaxy Corporation under his real name.
The scattering of members across different labels raised questions about whether BIGBANG could ever truly reunite. But 2024 offered fans a reassuring answer.
A Surprise Reunion in 2024
On November 22, 2024, fans were treated to an unexpected BIGBANG reunion when G-Dragon released “Home Sweet Home,” a song from his third studio album.
G-Dragon first hinted at a collaboration the day before the song’s release, posting a teaser image featuring piano keys on a black background. The post quickly began to fuel fan speculation that he would be releasing a new song with his BIGBANG bandmates, Taeyang and Daesung.
One day later, “Home Sweet Home” was dropped, validating the fan theories and hypotheses. The release proved that the bond between the three remaining members remained strong, even without a shared label, and it set the stage for bigger things to come.
A Major 2026 Comeback on the Horizon
K-pop group BIGBANG is set for a major 2026 comeback to mark their 20th anniversary, with YG Entertainment announcing a world tour planned and a Coachella performance in April 2026. The group is expected to continue as a trio featuring G-Dragon, Taeyang, and Daesung.
G-Dragon himself confirmed the news during a February 2026 fan event. He shared, “This year, BIGBANG is making a comeback for their 20th anniversary. As both a member and a fan, I am also looking forward to it, and I think all the members feel the same way,” expressing his excitement about the comeback.
For the upcoming reunion, the trio will collaborate with their original agency, YG Entertainment.
T.O.P’s Solo Return — and His Stance on BIGBANG
While the remaining trio prepares for their comeback, T.O.P is carving out his own path. The former BIGBANG member, who left the group in 2023, is returning to the music scene with a solo song after 13 years.
However, in an interview conducted during his appearance in the Netflix original series Squid Game Season 2 in 2025, T.O.P drew a line regarding BIGBANG’s comeback.
He cautiously responded, “I thought of ‘Spring Summer Fall Winter’ as the final project,” and added, “Seeing fans still hoping for a reunion hurt my heart rather than making me angry. I feel guilty toward the members and will carry this regret for the rest of my life.”
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
