G-Dragon to Hold 1st Solo Concert

G-Dragon, the leader of popular boy band Big Bang, will hold his first solo concerts at the Gymnastics Painful separation: A woman wipes away her tears at an event hosted by the National Federation of Fisheries Coop- Stadium in Olympic Park, Dec. 5-6. / Korea Times File

By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter

Singer G-Dragon will hold his first solo concerts at the Gymnastics Stadium in Olympic Park, Dec. 5 and 6.

The concerts titled ``Shine a Light'' are the first solo events for the leader of boy group Big Bang since his debut three years ago.

``We are investing to the fullest to bring the best show for G-Dragon, who is not only an icon in music, but also in fashion. We are planning to offer the best performance for both the ears and eyes,'' his agency YG Entertainment said.

``Shine a Light'' will give G-Dragon the chance to offer his own distinctive personality, and also special features that he had to restrain as a member of the popular boy band.

According to YG Entertainment, the 21-year-old is very active in preparing the show and is working hard to bring something new and different to his fans.

The title of the concerts is part of the lyrics of G-Dragon's song ``Boy.'' The song features the thoughts and struggles he had to go through as a young boy who started as a YG trainee at the age of 13.

Most agencies and singers give out invitations to friends and family, but YG Entertainment has been firm against the practice. This will be the same for G-Dragon's concert.

``We have received many complaints from friends and family for not giving out free tickets early this year during Big Bang's concert, where the 50,000 tickets sold out quicker than expected. Considering the fans who didn't have the chance to buy them, we thought it was only fair to not give out any invitations this time as well,'' the agency said.

The singer stirred fans and music experts when he released his first solo album ``Heartbreaker'' last August. His songs instantly reached the top in both online and offline music charts and his album sold more than 20,000 copies since its release. However, G-Dragon faced a hurdle when some of his songs, including `Heartbreaker'' and ``Butterfly,'' were said to have been plagiarized. Sony/ATV Music Publishing claimed that they had ``considerable similarities'' to original songs and the agency's CEO Yang Hyun-suk wrote a long letter on YG Entertainment's Web site, saying that the question should be determined in court.

Tickets for G-Dragon's solo concerts can be booked at www.11st.co.kr on Oct. 28 and 30.

sanghee@koreatimes.co.kr