On November 18, 2024, G-Dragon made a long-awaited return to the MBC FM4U radio show Kim Eana’s Starry Night (별밤), marking his first radio appearance in 12 years. The episode, filled with candid reflections and exciting updates, saw the K-pop icon share new insights into his music and personal growth.
During the show, lyricist Kim Ina, who has been hosting 'Starry Night,' shared her excitement about the encounter. She revealed how nervous she was when they first met in a private setting, mentioning, "Actually, I met GD privately and was really nervous," adding that they had a friendly conversation at YG Entertainment. Kim Ina continued, expressing her gratitude, saying, "I met him at YG, and when the mood was right, I spoke respectfully, and he readily agreed to come on the show to promote his album."
She also shared how their relationship has blossomed over time. "It was just one private meeting, but now I can say that I’m really close with GD. When I send a message, he sends a thumbs-up back after two weeks," Kim Ina proudly mentioned, highlighting how close they’ve become, even jokingly saying that they now text each other regularly. However, this time there was no response when she reached out. "But there was no reply, then like a tsundere, he contacted the station," she explained, which G-Dragon humorously acknowledged, saying, "I don’t remember what I said, but I said I’d see you soon and came."
The conversation then turned to G-Dragon’s new single, 'Power.' Kim Ina asked him about the feeling of time passing and how his dance practice had evolved. GD candidly shared, "There were a lot of changes. My heart is the same, but my body doesn’t move as well," acknowledging that, despite his heart being in the same place, his body was not as cooperative as it used to be. "Usually, it doesn’t take me long to learn choreography, but this time I couldn’t catch up. I suddenly realized I need to keep using my body," he confessed, revealing that the passing of time has made things a bit harder for him physically. Kim Ina responded with admiration, saying, "So it’s even more thrilling, the result is our GD," showing her appreciation for his dedication and impressive results.
He then Opened up about a new challenge he faced during this comeback: video editing. "I’ve been putting my soul into SNS videos, but that’s usually just for fun. This time, I had to take a deeper dive and try my hand at real editing," he explained. Though known for his artistic vision and experimental spirit, G-Dragon admitted that video editing was a steep learning curve for him. "It’s not easy, and I don’t plan on getting any deeper into it. It’s a never-ending rabbit hole. I’ve never been good with machines," he chuckled, revealing his honest frustrations with the process. While he acknowledged that the process was time-consuming, GD humorously noted, “There was no editing to do with the main video since it was one take, but I still ended up selecting from five shots.”
Adding to the nostalgia of his comeback, G-Dragon also shared a more personal update: a noticeable shift in his voice. "I didn’t realize it, but my usual speaking voice has become lower," he confessed. Kim Eana, the show’s host, joked that G-Dragon must have stopped chatting with people for the past eight years, teasing that his voice had "settled" over time. G-Dragon laughed along, attributing the change to a combination of his less frequent speaking and his vocal exercises during music recording. "It feels like my voice has matured, like it’s found another layer," he said thoughtfully.
His shifts in vocal tone reflect not only the passage of time but also his evolving artistic identity.
When asked about the lyrics of 'Power,' G-Dragon explained how the song came together. He admitted, "It didn’t come all at once, it’s a case where the song came first, and the lyrics followed," clarifying that while the melody came quickly, the lyrics took some time to perfect. He also mentioned that the melody wasn't necessarily simple, but it fit the vibe he wanted to convey. "The melody isn’t exactly simple, but it came out quickly in the right atmosphere," he said.
Kim Ina, impressed with the depth of the lyrics, added, "The lyrics this time are deep, and the way they’re arranged without making them feel too profound is so GD," praising G-Dragon’s ability to convey deep messages without making them feel overly heavy, a true testament to his style.
Thoughts on Solo vs. Group Work
On the topic of working solo versus with BIGBANG, GD offered a candid comparison. He explained that group projects require creating songs that resonate with a wider audience, while his solo work allows for more personal expression. “With solo projects, I can focus on my own thoughts and experiences without worrying too much about others’ expectations,” he said. He also reflected on the emotional depth behind some of his most iconic lyrics, such as in Heartbreaker. “I was dealing with a lot of insecurities back then,” GD confessed, hinting that the sense of self-doubt expressed in Heartbreaker was a reflection of his personal struggles at the time.
Reflection on Perfection vs. Completion
In a moment of profound introspection, G-Dragon also shared his thoughts on the age-old debate between perfection and completion during his appearance on Starry Night. When asked by a listener whether he values "perfection" or "completion" more, the iconic artist pondered the question for a moment, acknowledging its depth. He responded thoughtfully, saying, “That’s a difficult question.”
G-Dragon elaborated: "I think the standard is relative. If you pursue perfection, you won’t be complete. To be complete, you must believe you are perfect, at least by your own standards."
Kim Eana, clearly impressed, remarked, “That’s a really famous quote,” to which G-Dragon responded humbly, "You can’t pursue just one thing. You can’t be perfect, right?"
He emphasized that there is no universal standard for perfection. "There’s no set answer, like an answer sheet," G-Dragon noted, highlighting the importance of finding balance in life and art rather than adhering to an unattainable ideal.
G-Dragon’s candid response not only showcases his wisdom but also reveals the mindset of someone who has spent years navigating the delicate balance between striving for excellence and accepting one’s own path to fulfillment.
Upcoming Concerts and Fan Interactions
When asked about upcoming concerts, GD playfully teased fans. "Will there be a concert this year or next?" a fan asked. "I won't say," GD responded with a laugh, leaving his eager fans guessing.
Despite his playful demeanor, GD revealed a more serious side when reflecting on his relationship with fans. He expressed his appreciation for the communication he shares with fans through social media and other channels, even addressing the ongoing mystery surrounding his PaloPaloMi account. “I don’t know who it is, but someone keeps sharing photos. We have some sort of communication, but I can’t pinpoint who it is,” he said, hinting at the ongoing mystery of the account that has been closely associated with him online.
GD's "Mullet"
GD revealed the story behind his iconic "Mullet" hairstyle, which became a viral sensation among fans. The look, which was not intended as a concept, turned out to be one of the most memorable and well-loved styles in K-pop history.
GD confessed that the "Mullet" happened entirely by accident. "It was the one time I didn't really think about the concept for my hair," he said. "At some point, I just stopped cutting it. The colors blended together, and after letting it grow for about a year, I finally went to the salon. My stylist told me it looked great, and I thought, 'Really?' It was just something I let grow out on its own." Despite his initial surprise, the fans ended up loving it, and GD grew fond of the low-maintenance style. "It didn't require any styling—just washed and dried. It was a comfortable style for me," he shared.
However, the name "Mullet" came as a bit of a surprise. It was coined by fans who noticed the resemblance to Korean goalkeeper Kim Byung-ji's hairstyle. "It’s funny because people started calling it the 'Mullet'—but it was just my hair that happened to look like his," GD laughed. "I'm still a bit confused by it, but I guess I should go apologize to Kim Byung-ji for the association!"
When asked about his all-time favorite hairstyle, GD revealed that he loves the "slicked-back" look and short hair. "I personally prefer short hair, like the style I had during 'Good Boy,'" he said. "But if I had to choose, I'd say the 'Mullet' is the top one in this hairstyle World Cup."
To end the show, Kim Ina playfully asked for a teaser of his upcoming songs. G-Dragon’s response — "It starts with 'A'" — sent fans into a frenzy, as they eagerly anticipated what he had in store next.
Looking Ahead
As GD continues to evolve as an artist, his dedication to pushing boundaries—whether through experimenting with new formats like video editing or exploring the depths of his vocal expression—remains clear. His willingness to embrace challenges and share personal insights with fans makes his Power comeback all the more compelling.
Stay tuned for more updates on GD’s journey and upcoming projects. For now, fans will have to wait eagerly for what’s next on the horizon, especially with the tantalizing promise of new music and performances.
Fans can catch more of G-Dragon’s stories and thoughts as Kim Eana’s Starry Night continues to air every night at 10 p.m. on MBC FM4U.