2016 was one of the most active years for YG Entertainment. The popular entertainment label and company was the center of major news this year, some breathtakingly positive and some critically debilitating.
One example of the former includes the signing of popular Korean actors in both K-dramas and K-movies, specifically Lee Jong Suk of Doctor Stranger and Pinocchio fame. As a part of YG Family, Jong Suk went on to star as the main lead in one of the more popular K-dramas this year, W . As for another example of the former, Black Pink had a phenomenal debut and comeback within less than six months. Also, first generation K-pop boy band Sechs Kies made a successful comeback too.
Then, of course, there were examples of the latter — the news deemed critically debilitating. Probably the biggest of them all is how YG Entertainment handled 2NE1. During contract negotiations, they lost Minzy in which she, or at least someone representing her, says she left because YG Entertainment would do nothing with her compared to the other three members of 2NE1. Yang Hyun Suk , the founder and CEO of YG Entertainment, made a promise to fans that 2NE1 would continue as a three-member girl group, one that he would break just last month when 2NE1 officially disbanded .
Despite all that was happening at YG Entertainment, it did not deter K-pop fans from wondering what was going on with their most popular K-pop act, Big Bang. The last time they did anything outside of their tour and documentary was in 2015 when they released their extended play (EP), a mini-album titled E in their “MADE” series. In all seriousness, many thought that would be the last they would see Big Bang in awhile given that the older members of the K-pop boy band, T.O.P. and G-Dragon specifically, were reaching the age limit in conscription or mandatory military service.
Fortunately for fans, Big Bang had one more comeback before conscription. The five-member boy band — T.O.P., Taeyang, G-Dragon, Daesung, and Seungri — have made their first and only comeback for 2016 with the full studio album of MADE . Big Bang says “FXXK IT” to 2016 as they take their “Girlfriend” to the “Last Dance.”
For those who seem lost by the last sentence of the above paragraph, it is a play on words utilizing the three new songs Big Bang released with their comeback.
Getting back on subject, Big Bang made their official comeback for 2016, the only one they will have this year, on December 13. It is the technically the finalization or closing of their “MADE” Series in which the comeback is the full-length studio album, MADE . It consists of all the songs from their four single albums in the “MADE” Series — M , A , D , and E — and the aforementioned three new songs, “FXXK It,” “Last Dance,” and “Girlfriend.”
Less than 24 hours after the release of MADE , Big Bang dominated the music charts. According to AllKpop , they topped the charts in 19 different countries on their respective iTunes charts, including include Brunei, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Finland, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Macao, Malaysia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Norway, Paraguay, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, and Vietnam. As for their impact domestically in South Korea, they have already achieved an All-Kill for both number one and number two slots on local music charts. “FXXK It” is placing number one while “Last Dance” is placing number two on MelOn, Mnet, Bugs, olleh, Soribada, Genie, Naver, and Monkey3. On at least three of the charts, they actually took the top three spots if “Girlfriend” is included.
Finally, the music videos for “FXXK It” and “Last Dance” are doing well too. “FXXK It” already has over 6.5 million views with more than 513,000 likes. “Last Dance” has over 5.2 million views with over 464,000 likes. On a personal note, after listening to both songs, it seems Big Bang’s comeback this time comes off as more personal or more heartfelt. As a matter of fact, many K-pop fans, especially V.I.P. (official fan club of Big Bang), thought Big Bang’s song “Last Dance” meant it was the end. Big Bang clarified on the countdown of MADE it is more of a recollection of their best moments .
K-pop fans, especially those who are V.I.P., who want to own their copy of Big Bang’s latest K-pop comeback, their third studio album MADE , it is available for purchase online at YesAsia . The version available now is a first press limited edition copy and can be bought either by itself or with a poster in tube.
[Featured Image by YG Entertainment]