Taeyang Vows Big Bang's 10th Anniversary Concert Will Be 'Epic Daylong Festival' For The Fans
Big Bang have had a long love affair with their fans that surpasses the standard public hysteria that comes with being in a K-pop boy band.
Now, with the future of the band uncertain as the members must complete their mandatory military service, the annual Big Bang anniversary concert has taken on a greater significance.
At the final concert of the group's blockbuster 32-city MADE world tour in Seoul, South Korea on Sunday, the members confirmed that not only would they be holding the performance but promised that this year, it would be something special.
"Before the concert, we had a meeting with YG staff members," Big Bang member Seungri told the crowd, according to the Korean news website Soompi.
"We're going to hold a Big Bang 10th anniversary concert this summer, here in Korea in an outdoor venue."
According to the group's vocalist Taeyang, the event will be more than just another Big Bang set.
"In return for ten years of your love, we plan to make the 10th anniversary concert an epic day-long festival," he said.
While frontman G-Dragon reflected on the veteran Hallyu act's chart-topping run.
"During the past 10 years, there haven't been only good days," the Korean icon told the audience.
"There were bad days too, but I think we're able to be here today in this spot because you were all there for us during those times, looking out for us and loving us."
In an interview last month for the Korean publication Star news, G-Dragon had confessed that he and his bandmates weren't particularly comfortable pondering the end of the group.
"Actually, we try not to talk about our future," the group's frontman G-Dragon told.
"We're busy enjoying every second of the time left for us. One thing that is certain though, is that our future will be greater than the present. We believe that tomorrow will be better than today and we act with such a belief."
All eligible males between the ages of 18 and 35 currently must enroll for between 21 and 24 months of army service in South Korea (the length of mandatory enrollment changes by several months depending on which branch of the military that they serve in), due to the country's decades-long conflict with the North.
Band member Daesung appeared to hint at a future for the band beyond the group's time spent serving their country.
"It is true that there won't be that many opportunities to stand on the stage as a complete team before we go to serve our military service," he said.
"That is why every performance of us these days is so meaningful and precious. We'll of course continue to perform our music after we come back from the army, but we have no specific plans yet."