G-Dragon (BIGBANG) Profile 2026: Bio, Age, Career, Net Worth, Songs & More
Kwon Ji-yong, known professionally as G-Dragon, is a South Korean rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and entrepreneur. Born on August 18, 1988, in Seoul, South Korea, he is widely recognized as the leader of the boy band BigBang, one of the best-selling boy bands in the world. Dubbed the “King of K-pop,” G-Dragon has shaped the Korean music industry through his solo work and contributions to BigBang’s discography. His influence extends beyond music into fashion, art, and business, making him one of the most prominent cultural figures in South Korea.
Quick Facts Table
Table of Contents
Early Life and Family
Childhood
Kwon Ji-yong was born on August 18, 1988, in the Yongsan District of Seoul, specifically in the Itaewon neighborhood. He entered the entertainment industry at an exceptionally young age. At five years old, he appeared in the children’s variety program BOBOBO and the film Taebaek Mountains. At age six, he debuted as a member of the children’s group Little Roo’ra and performed at the Jamsil Arena concert.
At age eight, G-Dragon won first place in a dance competition at a ski resort. The host of the event was Lee Soo-man, the founder of SM Entertainment, who subsequently scouted him. G-Dragon became a trainee under SM Entertainment.
His interest in hip-hop grew after a friend introduced him to the American hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan. He attended a hip-hop summer school led by the South Korean group People Crew.
Parents and Family Background
G-Dragon’s father is named Kwon Young-hwan, and his mother is named Han Ji-seo. He has an older sister, Kwon Da-mi. His sister is married to Kim Min-joon.
The family resided in Itaewon, a district known for its diverse culture and affluent residents. G-Dragon attended Seoul Sungui Elementary School, a prestigious private school in the area.
Education
G-Dragon attended Seoul Korean Traditional Arts Middle School and Uijeongbu Communication Information High School, where he majored in acting. In 2009, he enrolled at Kyung Hee University in the Department of Postmodern Music. He dropped out due to his busy schedule and later enrolled at Gukje Cyber University, from which he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 2013. In 2016, he obtained a master’s degree from Sejong University. He had intended to pursue a doctoral degree but deferred his plans due to military enlistment.
In June 2024, G-Dragon was appointed as a visiting professor at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST).
Age and Birthday
G-Dragon was born on August 18, 1988. As of August 2026, he is 37 years old. His zodiac sign is Leo, and in the Korean zodiac, he was born in the Year of the Dragon. He celebrates his birthday annually on August 18.
Height, Weight and Physical Appearance
| Measurement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official Height | 177 cm (5’10”) |
| Reported Height Range | 170–175 cm (5’7″–5’9″) |
| Weight | Approximately 58 kg (128 lbs) |
| Blood Type | A |
G-Dragon is known for his slim build and avant-garde fashion sense. He has frequently been a style icon in the K-pop industry, known for his ever-changing hair colors and bold fashion choices.
Career Journey
Early Career
G-Dragon’s professional music career began in 2001 when he participated in the special album 2001 Daehanminguk Hip Hop Flex. He performed under the names “2G-Gon” and “G-Gon”.
After being scouted by SM Entertainment, G-Dragon later transferred to YG Entertainment at age 12 because of his passion for hip-hop. He trained as a trainee for a total of 11 years across both agencies. During his trainee period, he appeared as a member of YG Family and performed as a backup dancer for senior artist Se7en.
In 2006, G-Dragon was selected as the first member and leader of the group that would become BigBang.
Breakthrough
BigBang officially debuted on August 19, 2006. The group released its first album, Big Bang Vol. 1, in late 2006. The group’s breakout came in 2007 with the EP Always, which featured the hit single “Lies.” G-Dragon wrote and composed the song himself.
Subsequent EPs Hot Issue and Stand Up produced hit singles “Last Farewell” and “Haru Haru,” respectively. By 2008, BigBang had become one of the most popular groups in South Korea and began expanding into the Japanese market.
G-Dragon made his solo debut on August 18, 2009—his 21st birthday—with the album Heartbreaker. The album was a commercial success, becoming the best-selling album by a Korean soloist at the time. The title track earned him Album of the Year at the 2009 Mnet Asian Music Awards.
In 2010, G-Dragon formed a duo with BigBang member T.O.P, releasing the album GD & TOP. In 2012, he released his first EP, One of a Kind, which won Best Album at the 2013 Seoul Music Awards.
In 2013, G-Dragon released his second studio album, Coup d’Etat, and won Artist of the Year at the Mnet Asian Music Awards. He embarked on his first worldwide solo tour, becoming the first Korean soloist to tour Japanese dome arenas.
In 2017, G-Dragon released his self-titled EP Kwon Ji Yong, which yielded the number-one single “Untitled”. He also embarked on the “Act III, M.O.T.T.E” world tour.
Military Service
G-Dragon enlisted for mandatory military service on February 27, 2018. He served in the army at the Gangwon Province training center. He was discharged on October 26, 2019.
Recent Career Updates
In 2022, G-Dragon returned to music with BigBang’s single “Still Life,” which he co-wrote. On June 6, 2023, his contract with YG Entertainment expired after 17 years. He subsequently signed with Galaxy Corporation.
In 2024, G-Dragon released two singles, “Power” and “Home Sweet Home”. On February 25, 2025, he released his third studio album, Übermensch. In February 2025, his new variety show Good Day premiered on MBC. In July 2026, BigBang was reported to be filming new music content.
Career Timeline
Awards and Achievements
G-Dragon has received numerous awards throughout his career. He holds the record as the first solo artist to win Artist of the Year at MAMA twice, in 2013 and 2025. At the 2025 Melon Music Awards, he won seven trophies, including all three Daesang (grand prize) honors: Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year for “Home Sweet Home”.
At the 2025 MAMA Awards, G-Dragon once again won the Artist of the Year award. He also set a record with 15 wins at the Tencent Music Year-End Awards in 2025.
His major awards include:
- Mnet Asian Music Awards: Album of the Year (2009, Heartbreaker), Artist of the Year (2013, 2025), Best Male Artist (2012), Best Dance Performance (2013)
- Melon Music Awards: Artist of the Year (2025), Album of the Year (2025), Song of the Year (2025)
- Seoul Music Awards: Record of the Year (2013)
- Korean Music Awards: Song of the Year (2008)
In 2025, G-Dragon received the Okgwan Order of Cultural Merit from the South Korean government. He was also named to Hypebeast’s 100 Most Influential in Fashion list in 2025.
Relationship Status
G-Dragon’s current relationship status is not publicly confirmed. No verified information is available regarding his current dating life.
He has been linked romantically to several public figures over the years, but neither G-Dragon nor his agency has confirmed any of these relationships. In 2021, he was rumored to be dating BLACKPINK member Jennie, but YG Entertainment responded that they “cannot confirm artists’ private lives”. The two reportedly parted ways in May 2022. He was also previously linked to Japanese model and actress Kiko Mizuhara, with whom he was photographed in 2014, though neither party confirmed a relationship.
No official confirmation exists regarding any current relationship.
Net Worth
G-Dragon has an estimated net worth of $50 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Other sources estimate his net worth to be approximately $30 million.
G-Dragon’s income streams are diverse:
- Music Royalties: G-Dragon has composed nearly 200 songs registered with the Korea Music Copyright Association (KOMCA). Even without active promotions, he earns an estimated 1.4 billion KRW (approximately $3.76 million USD) annually from copyright royalties alone.
- Concerts and Tours: His solo tours, including the “Act III, M.O.T.T.E” world tour, generated substantial revenue.
- Brand Endorsements: G-Dragon has endorsed numerous luxury and consumer brands over his career.
- Fashion and Business: In 2016, he founded the fashion brand PEACEMINUSONE. He has collaborated with Nike on multiple shoe releases, including the Air Force 1 Para-Noise (2019) and the Nike Kwondo 1 (2021).
- Real Estate and Investments: G-Dragon purchased a luxury apartment in Seoul for 16.4 billion KRW (approximately $13.76 million USD). He is also known for strategic stock investments. Upon signing with Galaxy Corporation, he converted half of his signing bonus into company stock. In 2024 alone, G-Dragon generated nearly 300 billion KRW (approximately $64 million USD) in revenue for Galaxy Corporation.
- Credit Card Status: G-Dragon is the first Korean artist to be issued an unlimited black card, a symbol of his elite financial status.
Social Media Presence
| Platform | Handle/Status |
|---|---|
| @xxxibgdrgn (active) | |
| YouTube | G-Dragon official channel |
| Active |
G-Dragon maintains an active presence on Instagram under the handle @xxxibgdrgn, where he shares updates on his music, fashion, and personal life. His posts frequently generate significant media attention.
Lesser Known Facts
- G-Dragon has been active in the entertainment industry since age six, making his career span over three decades.
- He was scouted by SM Entertainment founder Lee Soo-man after winning a dance competition at age eight.
- G-Dragon trained as a trainee for 11 years combined across SM and YG Entertainment before debuting.
- He chose his stage name “G-Dragon” because his birth name “Ji-yong” translates to “dragon” in Korean.
- G-Dragon composed BigBang’s breakout hit “Lies” at age 18.
- He was the first K-pop artist to release a solo album that sold over 200,000 copies in South Korea (Heartbreaker).
- G-Dragon’s fashion brand PEACEMINUSONE features a missing petal on its signature daisy logo, symbolizing imperfection.
- He was appointed as a visiting professor at KAIST in 2024, teaching in the field of arts and culture.
- G-Dragon is one of the few idol-turned-artists registered as a full member of the Korea Music Copyright Association (KOMCA).
- He received the Okgwan Order of Cultural Merit in 2025, one of South Korea’s highest cultural honors.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is G-Dragon’s real name?
G-Dragon’s real name is Kwon Ji-yong (권지용).
2. How old is G-Dragon in 2026?
G-Dragon is 37 years old as of August 2026.
3. What is G-Dragon’s net worth?
G-Dragon’s net worth is estimated at $50 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
4. Is G-Dragon still in BigBang?
Yes, G-Dragon is still a member of BigBang. The group was reported to be filming new music content in July 2026.
5. When did G-Dragon serve in the military?
G-Dragon served from February 27, 2018, to October 26, 2019.
6. What is G-Dragon’s height?
His official height is 177 cm (5’10”).
7. What is G-Dragon’s fashion brand?
G-Dragon founded the fashion brand PEACEMINUSONE in 2016.
8. Has G-Dragon won any major awards?
Yes, he has won multiple MAMA Awards, Melon Music Awards, and received the Okgwan Order of Cultural Merit in 2025.
9. Is G-Dragon dating anyone?
No verified information is available about G-Dragon’s current relationship status.
10. What is G-Dragon’s latest album?
G-Dragon released his third studio album, Übermensch, on February 25, 2025.
Conclusion
G-Dragon, born Kwon Ji-yong on August 18, 1988, has established himself as one of the most influential figures in K-pop history. As the leader of BigBang, he helped shape the global trajectory of Korean pop music. His solo career, marked by albums such as Heartbreaker, Coup d’Etat, and the 2025 release Übermensch, has earned him critical acclaim and numerous awards, including multiple MAMA Artist of the Year honors and the Okgwan Order of Cultural Merit.
More Info About Kpopbio
