On the eve of his new album release, Big Bang's R&B king discusses his mixtape dreams, first loves, and the downside of K-pop.
Exclusive Interview by Jaeki Cho
In the early aughts, YG Entertainment opened its doors to two 13-year-old boys aspiring to become pop stars. The teens would study together as trainees for over five years before officially debuting in 2006 as members of K-pop group Big Bang.
One of them, known as G-Dragon, became celebrated as much for his music as his fashion sense, splashed on blogs and magazine pages around the world.
The other, Taeyang, took a slightly different path. Though a style trendsetter in his own right—you couldn't wave a camera at Paris Fashion Week this year without catching him and GD mingling somewhere—the singer born Dong Young-bae has earned most of his accolades as a result of his musical output. Taeyang is the closest Korea has to a true R&B star.
His boss, YG Entertainment CEO Yang Hyun-suk describes Taeyang as"the type whose understanding of music and dance are really deep." The proof is in the 25-year-old's output: Among the five Big Bang members, Taeyang was the first to release a solo effort (the mini-album Hot in 2008). Since then, he has released a string of hits, from his initial solo release, "Only Look At Me," to the singles ("Where U At," "Wedding Dress," and "I Need a Girl") off his debut full-length album, Solar (2010).
Whereas G-Dragon's solo music is a hybrid of different genres, Taeyang’s catalog focuses solely on American-style R&B—and all that comes with it. On stage and in videos, Taeyang's limber moves have earned him a rep as K-pop's best natural dancer.
Taeyang broke his four-year solo hiatus last November, wresting the spotlight back with the aggressive "Ringa Linga," which quickly soared to the top of the charts across Asia. As he finally drops his oft-delayed Rise album, Taeyang candidly shared his thoughts on the K-pop explosion to reconciling his solo dreams with his Big Bang obligations in this Noonchi exclusive interview.
How did you first get into music?
Taeyang: I started playing the piano at a young age. It didn’t matter what genre, I always knew I would become some sort of musician. I kept playing the piano until I was about 13 years old. Then I met members of Jinusean, who introduced me to hip-hop music. But even before then, I loved Michael Jackson. I remember the first time he came to Korea. I started to like him not because of his music, but because of his stage presence. I remember seeing him dance and thinking, "Man, I wish I could do that." I would watch Michael Jackson on television and imitate his moves. And whenever there were opportunities to dance at school I would participate.
Taeyang: I started playing the piano at a young age. It didn’t matter what genre, I always knew I would become some sort of musician. I kept playing the piano until I was about 13 years old. Then I met members of Jinusean, who introduced me to hip-hop music. But even before then, I loved Michael Jackson. I remember the first time he came to Korea. I started to like him not because of his music, but because of his stage presence. I remember seeing him dance and thinking, "Man, I wish I could do that." I would watch Michael Jackson on television and imitate his moves. And whenever there were opportunities to dance at school I would participate.
Back then, who were some artists you enjoyed listening to?
Taeyang: For hip-hop, I listened to Jay Z’s Blueprint repeatedly. I also listened to a lot of R&B music, like Boyz II Men, Stevie Wonder, and others.
Taeyang: For hip-hop, I listened to Jay Z’s Blueprint repeatedly. I also listened to a lot of R&B music, like Boyz II Men, Stevie Wonder, and others.
When did you decide to become a full-time musician?
Taeyang: It’s difficult for me to pinpoint a specific period, but probably when I was about 13 years old. That’s when I joined YG Entertainment, and I made the decision that I had to become a full-time musician no matter what.
Taeyang: It’s difficult for me to pinpoint a specific period, but probably when I was about 13 years old. That’s when I joined YG Entertainment, and I made the decision that I had to become a full-time musician no matter what.
During that period, YG Entertainment wasn’t as established as it is now. Were you wary of joining a company that hadn’t made its mark yet?
Taeyang: I didn’t have much thought about that because I was young. I just genuinely wanted to do it. My parents had a lot of reservations about me becoming a trainee. But honestly, YG Entertainment was the only company in Korea at the time that specialized in the type of music I loved. So there were no doubts in my mind like, "Oh, what if I don’t make it?" Even now, it doesn't matter what I do, I always try to do things with an absolute sense of certainty.
Taeyang: I didn’t have much thought about that because I was young. I just genuinely wanted to do it. My parents had a lot of reservations about me becoming a trainee. But honestly, YG Entertainment was the only company in Korea at the time that specialized in the type of music I loved. So there were no doubts in my mind like, "Oh, what if I don’t make it?" Even now, it doesn't matter what I do, I always try to do things with an absolute sense of certainty.
You and G-Dragon were in a hip-hop/R&B duo called GDYB. When you realized that both of you would join a boy band called Big Bang, how did you feel?
Taeyang: I probably shared the same sentiment that Ji-yong [G-Dragon] had. I wasn’t too fond of it. I was a little annoyed. I wasn't upset because we were debuting as a group, but it was more so skepticism on whether or not we’ll be doing music that’s too pop-friendly.
Taeyang: I probably shared the same sentiment that Ji-yong [G-Dragon] had. I wasn’t too fond of it. I was a little annoyed. I wasn't upset because we were debuting as a group, but it was more so skepticism on whether or not we’ll be doing music that’s too pop-friendly.
So you didn't want to be an idol.
Taeyang: For me, just because you're an idol, I don't think you have restrictions on what you can and can't do. People often ask, "Because you're an idol, you shouldn't be doing this, no?" That never crossed my mind. The reason I became a musician is because I wanted to do what I always imagined. I don’t think there should be a preconception of what an idol is.
Taeyang: For me, just because you're an idol, I don't think you have restrictions on what you can and can't do. People often ask, "Because you're an idol, you shouldn't be doing this, no?" That never crossed my mind. The reason I became a musician is because I wanted to do what I always imagined. I don’t think there should be a preconception of what an idol is.
"If I just did what I want to do, I would compile the songs I like, make a mixtape, and put it out for free online."
When you debuted as solo artist, your music and performances drew comparisons to American artists like Omarion. How’s your musical style different now than before?
Taeyang: Personally, I feel like I'm still following that lineage of R&B music. But I don’t have a specific set of rules for the type of music I make. Of course, what I love and like is very clear. The artists I'm inspired by fall in that lane, so people could categorize my sound as similar to that of an Usher or an Omarion. But just because I do R&B-style of music, I don't feel obliged to do just that.
Taeyang: Personally, I feel like I'm still following that lineage of R&B music. But I don’t have a specific set of rules for the type of music I make. Of course, what I love and like is very clear. The artists I'm inspired by fall in that lane, so people could categorize my sound as similar to that of an Usher or an Omarion. But just because I do R&B-style of music, I don't feel obliged to do just that.
Looking back, how do you feel about your debut album, Solar?
Taeyang: Honestly, I can't rate my albums. In the end, the listener rates them. Nobody goes into making an album thinking, "Man, I don't think I'm there yet." For me at least, I made it because I felt like it was ready. Listening to it now, I don't feel like it's lacking. If the people that listen to it don't enjoy it then that's that. If they do enjoy it, I'm thankful. Looking back, I think I thought about things a little too much. I should've enjoyed the music more instead of thinking about it. If I could give out an excuse, I was very busy. I was under a deadline. I wanted to enjoy the creation process of the album, but the fact that I couldn't do that disappoints me a little.
Taeyang: Honestly, I can't rate my albums. In the end, the listener rates them. Nobody goes into making an album thinking, "Man, I don't think I'm there yet." For me at least, I made it because I felt like it was ready. Listening to it now, I don't feel like it's lacking. If the people that listen to it don't enjoy it then that's that. If they do enjoy it, I'm thankful. Looking back, I think I thought about things a little too much. I should've enjoyed the music more instead of thinking about it. If I could give out an excuse, I was very busy. I was under a deadline. I wanted to enjoy the creation process of the album, but the fact that I couldn't do that disappoints me a little.
I feel like people that have an ear for R&B music really liked Solar. But I also feel like that the R&B market isn't as big in Korea as in other parts of the world.
Taeyang: There are certainly constraints for expression in Korea. Personally, I'd like to make an album without having any sort of restrictions, but realistically speaking, that's very difficult. The type of topics I can discuss are limited.
Taeyang: There are certainly constraints for expression in Korea. Personally, I'd like to make an album without having any sort of restrictions, but realistically speaking, that's very difficult. The type of topics I can discuss are limited.
Ever thought about putting out a free mixtape?
Taeyang: Oh, I would love to do that! I’ve been wanting to do that since 2011. But it's the same story. I constantly work on new material because I love to do it, without a guarantee those records will end up on the album. Many times, there's a bigger likelihood the song I like won't make it to the final cut. Producers that work with me would praise those records, but since the label is putting out the album, I don't have the ultimate say. I feel like that's everywhere though. If I just did what I want to do, I would compile the songs I like, make a mixtape, and put it out for free online.
Taeyang: Oh, I would love to do that! I’ve been wanting to do that since 2011. But it's the same story. I constantly work on new material because I love to do it, without a guarantee those records will end up on the album. Many times, there's a bigger likelihood the song I like won't make it to the final cut. Producers that work with me would praise those records, but since the label is putting out the album, I don't have the ultimate say. I feel like that's everywhere though. If I just did what I want to do, I would compile the songs I like, make a mixtape, and put it out for free online.
What are your goals for your new album, Rise?
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