Big Bang is a Korean hip hop and R&B group composed of five members, each contributing different vocal or rapping parts. They are considered to be the new face of the YG Family. In Summer 2006, M-net released an eleven episode documentary that showed the members in training before their debut as a group. The group's formation was chronicled on the television series Big Bang Documentary, from July to August 2006. The show was also aired online on GomTV and on MTV Korea. The first six episodes detailed each individual member's background and motivation for becoming a singer. The documentary portrayed the arduous process of training by showing their dancing and singing practice sessions. Beyond being just an entertaining television show, it was an actual elimination process of candidates unfit for debut. Two members, SO-1 and Seungri (Lee SeungHyun) were considered for elimination, but they were given second chances to showcase their abilities in singing, dancing, and performing. Yet this resulted in Yang Hyun Suk (CEO of YG Entertainment)dropping SO-1 because he lacked stage presence and was "too shy".
Big Bang made their debut on August 19, 2006 at the Gymnastics Arena in Seoul Olympic Park during the YG Family concert. Debuting in 2006, they quickly became popular. Following the performance, the group's first single, "Bigbang", was released. It contained the songs "We Belong Together," featuring labelmate Park Bom; "A Fool's Only Tears" (Korean: 눈물뿐인 바보; Revised Romanization: Nunmulppunin Babo); and "This Love", an adaptation of the American rock band Maroon 5 song, rewritten and performed by G Dragon. The single went on to sell nearly 40,000 copies. The second single, "BigBang Is V.I.P", was released in September, eventually topping 32,000 copies sold. The last single, "Bigbang 03", followed, with final sales nearing 40,000 copies.
At the end of December 2006, Big Bang held their first concert, The Real.
The following month, their debut album, Since 2007, was released, selling 48,009 copies by the end of February 2007. Their first release, the EP Always (2007), spawned the number-one single "Lies" (Korean: 거짓말; Revised Romanization: Geojitmal) .Big Bang experienced great success in 2007 with the release of their single "Lies", shooting the five-member boy band into super stardom as one of the biggest boy bands in Korea. The follow-up EPs Hot Issue and Stand Up were similarly successful. Big Bang have been noted for their music as well as their taste in fashion, becoming famous throughout the country in the process.
On February 8, 2007, Big Bang released their live concert album, The First / Real Live Concert, which sold 30,000 copies by the end of the year. The group also began their Want You tour, visiting five cities: Incheon, Daegu, Changwon, Jeonju and Busan.Their first mini-album, Always, was also released in 2007, and marked several changes for the group. Though previously already writing and composing, the group has decided to take more control over their music. G-Dragon composed and wrote most of the tracks included in their first mini album release including the title single, "Lies" (Korean: 거짓말; Revised Romanization: Geojitmal). The mini-album also saw the introduction of electronic music for Big Bang. Receptions were fairly positive, most notably in regards to the song "Lies", which critics described as "through the roof". Released as the lead single, it became their first #1 hit; the album itself sold 87,0000 copies. Their second mini album, Hot Issue, released that same year, followed its predecessor's success: the lead-single, "Last Farewell", (Korean: 마지막 인사; Revised Romanization: Majimak Insa) topped various charts, including the Juke-On's chart for eight consecutive weeks. It also won the "Song of the Month Digital Music Award" from Cyworld. Tickets for their Big Bang Is Great concert were also reportedly sold out in 10 minutes.
Riding on the success of their mini-album, the group collected numerous awards towards the end of the year, including "Best Male Group" and "Song Of The Year" from the 2007 M.NET/KM Music Festival. They later received the "Artist of the Year" award from the 17th Seoul Music Awards
After they received the "Artist of the Year" award from the M.net KM Music Festival and the Seoul Gayo Daesang Award, the group expanded their activities into Japan, releasing mini-albums and airplay singles.
As 2007 came to a close, Big Bang ventured overseas to Japan. Their first Japanese EP, For the World, released in early 2008, charted at #10 on the Oricon chart with little promotion. The group also held a concert at the JCB Hall in Tokyo Dome City. Their third mini-album of 2008, Stand Up, was released. Featuring Daishi Dance and the Korean rock-band No Brain, Stand Up exceeded the 100,000 mark in sales. "Day By Day" (Korean: 하루하루; Revised Romanization: Haru Haru), the lead single, topped several online charts and held the #1 position for six consecutive weeks. Following the lead single's success, other songs also charted within the Top 20, with "Heaven" reaching #2, "Oh My Friend" hitting #9, "A Good Man" at #12, and "Lady" peaking at #16 — a total of five songs in the Top 20 for the group. Their materials would not receive major promotion until the following year with the release of their first physical Japanese single, "My Heaven".
During the release of their Korean materials, Big Bang released the Japanese song, "Number 1", from their album of the same name, performing the song on Japanese radio programs and TV shows; the album peaked at number-three on the Japan's Oricon daily album chart. Their Korean follow-up album, Remember, also released in 2008, yielded the #1 single, "Sunset Glow" (Korean: 붉은노을; Revised Romanization: Byulkeun Noeul). "Strong Baby", performed solely by Seungri, was released as the second single. The album went on to sell over 200,000 copies. Big Bang received their second "Artist of the Year" award from the 2008 M.NET KM Music Festival award ceremony.
By the end of 2009, Big Bang became the most searched artist in South Korea. They also became the first foreign group in Japan to receive the Japan Cable Broadcasting Award for "Best Newcomer", and the first from Korea to receive the Japan Records award.
Big Bang was labled as the “Best Worldwide Act” for MTV’s 2011 European Music Awards. Big Bang won Best Music Video for MAMA 2011
G-Dragon:
Date of Birth: August 18, 1988
Kwon Ji Yong (often known as G-Dragon or GD. G-Dragon is the leader and a widely accepted singer-songwriter, winning 'Songwriter Award' in 2007 MKMF (Mnet Km Music Festival). G-dragon has been trained by the YG Family since he was 12 years old along with the fellow Big Bang member, Tae Yang. During their training, they were known as GDYB.
Tae Yang:
Date of Birth: May 18, 1988
Tae Yang (Dong Young Bae) has been with G-D in YG Entertainment since he was 12. He started out as a rapper but is now one of the vocalists of Big Bang. He was known for being scared of girls, and is still known as the shy, sweet, thoughful and sensitive one in the group.
T.O.P:
Date of Birth: November 4, 1987
The "Big Brother" of the band is Choi Seung Hyun, also known as Tempo or T.O.P. Before joining Big Bang, he was a star performer in underground hip-hop clubs and even won KBS Radio's "Rap Battle" in 2003. TOP is one of the two rappers in the Big Bang and is also very talented in beat-boxing. Recently, TOP has successfully finished filming his role as the school's top fighter in a Korean drama called, I Am Sam. His character's name in the drama was Chae Mu Shin. It was announced that he would be starring in a drama with Lee Byung Hun in 2009.
Dae Sung:
Date of Birth: April 26, 1989
Kang Dae Sung, the "Smiling Angel", is a vocalist in Big Bang. Fans praise Dae Sung's humorous personality and astounding vocals and dedicate numerous websites to him. Dae Sung has an obsession with "Doraemon", a Japanese animation. Dae Sung has been also been known as "Gag/Comedy Genius Dae Sung" (Gae Chun Dae Sung in Korean) with his great sense of humor and unique talent in imitating famous people and even animals. He is now also known as D-Lite.
Seung Ri:
Date of Birth: December 12, 1990
Lee Seung Hyun, or known as "Seung Ri", is the "Little Brother" of Big Bang. His name when Big Bang debuted, was "V" which is derived from Victory. Before joining Big Bang, Seung Ri was on "Battle Shinhwa", a show that was searching for the second Shinhwa. However, he was rejected in the 13th episode because even though he was a great dancer, his vocals failed to impress. However, the manager of YG recognized his talent and invited him to practice with the YG Family. Seung Ri's greatest talents are dancing and choreographing dance routines. He is very strong for the youngest member in the group.
Former Member
SO-1:
SO-1, commonly referred to as Jang Hyun Seung, was dropped from Big Bang in the ninth episode of their documentary, which was shown on GOM Television. He was considered to be a great singer and had a "pretty face". Unfortunately, he did not pass the audition to become a member in Big Bang due to his shyness on stage. He is no longer with YG family.
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