G-Dragon Says BIGBANG's 20th Anniversary Album Comes Out "Around August 19." The Title Track Isn't Done.
For the first time since BIGBANG confirmed their 20th anniversary world tour at Coachella last month, G-Dragon has given a concrete timeline for the album. On the May 14 episode of Epik High's podcast Epikase, G-Dragon said - with Taeyang and Epik High members Tablo and Mithra pressing him for details - that the release would land "around" August 19, the date that marks the group's 20-year debut anniversary. Then he qualified it. "The title song is the song that you have to work on the longest," he said. "It's probably not done yet."
BIGBANG debuted on August 19, 2006, under YG Entertainment. They have not released a full group album since 2022's Still Life single. They have not toured since 2017.
The Coachella announcement on April 19 - G-Dragon telling the Outdoor Theatre crowd "BIGBANG's 20th anniversary world tour will begin this August" - was the first official confirmation of tour plans. What it wasn't was an album date. The Epikase episode gave fans that piece, in the form of a deadline that the group's own leader acknowledged they may not yet hit for their most important track.
Taeyang, also on the podcast, gave a separate status update on his solo album QUINTESSENCE, out May 18. Tablo had already heard the tracklist and noted one song features Australian pop star The Kid LAROI. Taeyang explained the collaboration came together when LAROI happened to be in Seoul for a Spotify event, visited Taeyang's studio after dinner, heard the track, and agreed to feature. The album is Taeyang's first full-length solo release in nearly nine years, since White Night in 2017.
BIGBANG is currently a trio: G-Dragon, Taeyang, and Daesung. Former member Seungri was convicted in 2021 on multiple charges including arranging prostitution and has not been part of the group's activities since 2019. Former member T.O.P. announced his departure from the group in 2023.
Tour dates, venues, and ticket details have not been announced. The album release window is August. The title track remains in progress.
