Former BIGBANG member T.O.P (Choi Seung-hyun) has not released any music since leaving the group in 2022. Recently, he finally dropped a bombshell by officially announcing a brand-new album and his return to the music scene. The news immediately drew attention, with even former teammates GD (G-Dragon, Kwon Ji-yong) and Taeyang (Dong Young-bae) quietly liking the post on social media to show their support, making it a trending topic once again. Some fans are also holding onto a glimmer of hope for a possible reunion.
T.O.P debuted with BIGBANG in 2006, but in 2017, he was involved in a drug scandal, which caused controversy and led to a suspended sentence. His image suffered a major blow, and his entertainment activities came to an almost complete halt. Although he participated in some group projects afterwards, his overall exposure was noticeably reduced and he gradually faded from the public eye. In 2022, T.O.P left YG Entertainment and withdrew from BIGBANG.
Last year, in an interview with Korean media, he spoke for the first time about the real reason behind his departure from BIGBANG. He admitted that leaving was not due to dissatisfaction or a fallout, but because he felt guilty. He felt he had brought negative impact to the group, so he chose to step back and bear the criticism and attacks, unwilling to let these labels continue to affect the other members. He further explained that deliberately maintaining distance from the group was also for the fans. "If I remained in the group, everyone would keep expecting a reunion," but in his view, this would only lead to more disappointment. Therefore, he chose not to leave any ambiguity, even confessing that he still cannot proactively contact the members because the guilt and self-reproach in his heart persist.
Source: NOWnews 今日新闻 Entertainment