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BIGBANG just marked their 19th anniversary, and the members took the chance to look back on their long, chaotic journey. In a new video on Daesung’s YouTube channel ZIP Daesung (posted August 22), Taeyang, G-Dragon and Daesung, the remaining members of BIGBANG, spent time in a “memory room” filled with old group relics, including early albums, fan sign photos, lightsticks, and other keepsakes.
K-pop mini albums, concerts packed with glowing lightsticks, etc, all the things that define the craze today aren’t exactly new. Ever since acts like BTS and BLACKPINK exploded worldwide, fans have argued over who really set the staple trends of the industry. While those debates have gone on for years, it was a full-circle moment for fans to see the legendary idols finally step in and claim how the trends they started have now become the blueprint for how the world sees K-pop.
In the memory room, G-Dragon wandered around looking at the items and joked, “Aren’t these artifacts now?” He added, “Not to brag, but we were the first to release mini-albums,” making everyone laugh. Then he went on to claim that the group also started the lightstick trend. Taeyang interrupted, pointing out that singer Se7en also says he started the lightstick idea. G-Dragon just laughed it off, saying, “Yes, Se7en has his Se7en-bong. But the origin of the lightstick trend is us.”
While the topic has long been debated, BIGBANG is widely credited with revolutionising fan culture. Before official lightsticks, fans supported first-generation K-pop groups like H.O.T. and g.o.d in the 1990s using colourful balloons and raincoats matching the group’s official colours. This was the first way “fan oceans” were created at concerts. BIGBANG’s innovation came with their uniquely designed lightstick, the Bang Bong, the very first artist-specific official merchandise topped with the group’s signature crown, representing their fandom V.I.P. This allowed fans to preserve memories for a longer time and shifted fan culture from generic items to a collective identity. The success of this trend led other K-pop groups to release their own lightsticks.
Also read: BIGBANG’s G-Dragon plagiarism claims and police raid over 15-year-old track explained; YG responds
BIGBANG is also credited with popularising the mini-album trend or extended play (EP), in K-pop. While the concept existed in the industry before as well, the group’s 2007 EP Always was a game-changer. The format allowed the K-pop group to belt out albums frequently. BIGBANG’s 19th anniversary was marked by familiar faces like CL, Go Kyung Pyo, Vince, SEVENTEEN’s Hoshi, and the Kwon twins, who arrived as guests on the show.
“Nothing has ever gone according to plan over these 19 years,” Taeyang said at one point. He continued, “Over the course of our 19 years in the music industry, not a single thing has gone according to plan,” and added, “Even today, nothing went as planned either. And maybe that’s what best represents our 19th anniversary.” While the singer might be referring to the group’s journey, fans were quick to interpret that he subtly shaded some of the members who are no longer part of the group because of their controversies.
BIGBANG started in 2006 under YG Entertainment with five members: G-Dragon, Taeyang, Daesung, T.O.P, and Seungri. But, as massive as the group’s popularity was, so were the scandals. Seungri left the industry in 2019 after the infamous “Burning Sun” scandal. T.O.P., who got entangled in drug cases, officially left the group in 2023.
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