1-6-2023 (SEOUL) T.O.P, the singer-rapper known for his involvement in BigBang, one of South Korea’s most iconic boy bands, has officially confirmed his departure from the group. The 35-year-old artist took to Instagram on Monday to share a video of himself working on a new tune, along with a photo that included the words “Still making my music.”
Over the following days, T.O.P’s post garnered significant attention from his 16 million Instagram followers, who flooded the comment section with inquiries about his status within the band. In response to one such comment on Wednesday, he unequivocally stated, “I’ve already withdrawn,” using capital letters for emphasis. In another comment, he expressed, “I’ve already informed you all that I’m leaving and have been embarking on a new chapter in my life since last year.”
T.O.P, alongside Taeyang (35), Daesung (34), G-Dragon (34), and Seungri (32), made his debut as a member of BigBang in 2006. Although he had left their long-time agency, YG Entertainment, in February 2022, it was previously announced that he would still be involved in BigBang’s activities whenever possible.
In April 2022, the band made a highly anticipated comeback after a four-year hiatus with their chart-topping single, “Still Life.” However, Seungri had already departed from the group in March 2019 following a scandal involving drugs and prostitution.
As the news of BigBang now operating with only three members circulated, fans expressed a range of emotions on T.O.P’s post, leaving heartbroken and angry messages, while others offered their well wishes. When questioned about a potential comeback, T.O.P responded with a resounding “Solo,” again using capital letters to emphasize his response.
