As K-pop continues to evolve, presenting new directions and a bright future while contributing to the growth of South Korea’s music industry, the globally renowned K-pop awards ceremony, the “2024 MAMA AWARDS,” is now just about a month away from taking place. The highly anticipated third artist lineup has been revealed.
The third lineup of performing artists includes BIBI, BOYNEXTDOOR, (G)I-DLE, and PLAVE, who have confirmed their appearances. Additionally, G-DRAGON, who has produced numerous iconic moments, is set to take the stage at the ‘MAMA AWARDS.’
G-DRAGON and the ‘MAMA AWARDS’ are reuniting after a long time. G-DRAGON is set to perform on the final day of the ceremony, November 23rd, marking his return to the ‘MAMA AWARDS’ stage after nine years, since his last performance in 2015. As a trendsetter in K-pop and the creator of countless “firsts,” G-DRAGON has crafted numerous iconic moments that are still being talked about today. All eyes are on how he will once again make history with his unparalleled presence.
On the other hand, according to a News1 report on the 5th, BIGBANG’s G-Dragon, Taeyang, and Daesung are in discussions to perform as a full group at the ‘2024 MAMA Awards’ this November.
This year’s ‘MAMA Awards’ will be held on November 21st at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, USA, and from November 22nd to 23rd at the Kyocera Dome in Osaka, Japan. It has garnered attention for its entry into the U.S., the world’s largest music market.
BIGBANG reuniting as a full group at the ‘MAMA Awards’ would be the first time in about nine years since 2015. In 2024, they won the Best Vocal Performance Group category with ‘Still Life,’ but did not perform on stage at that time.
Previously, the three members made a surprise appearance at Taeyang’s solo concert, ‘TAEYANG 2024 TOUR [THE LIGHT YEAR],’ held this past September. However, fans are eagerly anticipating whether they will deliver another legendary performance on stage at one of the most globally watched K-pop award shows.
Earlier, on the morning of August 19th, G-Dragon posted on his personal SNS account the cover photo of the digital single “Still Life” with the caption “#bigbang18thanniversary”. He also tagged the accounts of other BIGBANG members Taeyang and Daesung.
Taeyang also uploaded a photo of 18 yellow hearts piling up on his Instagram with the caption “#18thanniversary ”. Daesung also shared a congratulatory message, saying “2024.08.19 Congratulations on the 18th anniversary of Daesung’s debut”.
BIGBANG made their official debut on August 19th, 2006 on the stage of YG Family’s 10th anniversary concert. Releasing the album “Bigbang” on August 29th of the same year, the group later gained huge love from the public with many hit songs of various genres, such as ballad, dance and hip-hop.
BIGBANG swept major awards in Korea and abroad as soon as they debuted and became a top K-pop group by winning Daesang within only two years after their debut. As such, the group was successful with both musicality and popularity with diverse activities aside from their group promotions, such as promotions of units G-Dragon X Taeyang and G-Dragon X T.O.P.
However, BIGBANG also faced numerous controversies throughout their career. The group debuted with five members but there are only three members, G-Dragon, Taeyang and Daesung, left. T.O.P and Seungri already withdrew from the group.
The oldest member T.O.P was accused of administering marijuana. In 2017. While serving in the military, he was investigated by the police after he was found to have used marijuana in the past. T.O.P admitted to drug use and the court sentenced him to 10 months in suspended jail and 2 years of probation.
After T.O.P’s contract with YG ended, he also left BIGBANG and hinted at his retirement by announcing his intention to stop working in the entertainment industry. However, he suddenly returned to activities recently and revealed his participation in Season 2 of Netflix’s “Squid Game”, scheduled to premiere on December 26th.
The youngest member Seungri was expelled from the entertainment industry after he was identified as a perpetrator in the Burning Sun Scandal. He was imprisoned for one and a half years in 2024 on 9 charges, including prostitution, habitual gambling, violation of the Food Sanitation Act, embezzlement, etc.
After being released from Yeoju prison in February last year, Seungri did not carry out any entertainment activities. However, he faced criticism after being spotted in a Bali club recently.