In February, he released his third studio album, 'Übermensch,' after an 11-year and 5-month hiatus, which not only marked his return but also set a new standard for K-POP. Despite the long break, G-DRAGON proved his unparalleled presence in music, popularity, and stage performance.
The album 'Übermensch' made a remarkable entry into the Melon TOP 20 within an hour of its release. It broke the record for the fastest solo artist to reach 1 million cumulative streams in just four hours and achieved 4.2 million streams in 24 hours, surpassing previous solo records. The music video for the title track 'TOO BAD' garnered 6.1 million views on YouTube within a day, showcasing his global fanbase's fervor.
The album's physical sales were equally impressive, selling 639,176 copies on the first day according to Hanteo Chart, marking the highest single-day sales for a G-DRAGON solo album. This success in both digital and physical formats is a rare achievement.
Globally, 'Übermensch' topped iTunes album charts in 28 countries, including France, Canada, and Brazil, and surpassed 300 million streams on Spotify. Major international media outlets like NME, Billboard, and Rolling Stone highlighted his comeback as "the beginning of a new era."
His stage presence peaked during his world tour, where he performed 39 shows across 17 cities in 12 countries, attracting a total audience of 825,000. This set a new record for the largest K-POP solo artist world tour, surpassing his own 2017 record.
However, some challenges accompanied these achievements. During the world tour, some shows started significantly later than scheduled, leading to 'lateness controversies' and audience dissatisfaction. Additionally, some critics noted that his live vocals and performance intensity did not always match his past peak, highlighting areas for improvement.
In 2025, G-DRAGON proved through records and numbers why he remains an irreplaceable 'living legend,' despite controversies and challenges.
Choi Ji-ye, TENASIA Reporter wisdomart@tenasia.co.kr