Rejoice, the king of K-pop is back! It feels like there’s been a giant hole in the K-pop world ever since BIGBANG’s G-Dragon enlisted in the military in February 2018, and now that he’s finally completed his service, we can’t wait to see what new projects he has in store. But since he’s just returned, now is the perfect time to reminisce about what’s been missing in our lives since GD has been away — and remember why he really is an artist like no other.

1. His musical genius

It’s no secret that G-Dragon has an extraordinary number of songwriting credits to his name: he’s written the lyrics and music for the vast majority of BIGBANG’s tracks as well as his own solo songs, spanning hits from the groundbreaking “Lies” to “Fantastic Baby,” “Heartbreaker” to “Ringa Linga,” and more. GD has always pushed the boundaries of music, and his fresh, experimental, and absurdly catchy songs have been not only popular worldwide but also extremely influential within the genre of K-pop. True to its name, “One of a Kind” is one of his many tracks that is so unique that it still stands out years after its 2012 release.

2. His emotional rawness

G-Dragon’s songs are often deeply personal, and yet somehow so universally relatable. In the music video for his 2013 single “Crooked,” GD dizzyingly transitions among emotional pinnacles: from ecstatic happiness to sudden anger…

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And extremely heart-wrenching loneliness, for which his other moods seem to be a mask.

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His emotions ring just as true even when he slows things down, like with the more nostalgic, gorgeous simplicity of “Untitled, 2014.”

3. His live performances

G-Dragon invented stage presence, and his charisma and intensity are unbeatable. The man can command a room with just one glance…

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Or with a few swag-filled steps:

GD’s performance at K-CON 2014.

But he’s more often seen careening around the stage with an incredible, tireless energy that, when paired with his creative outfits and powerful live vocals, make every performance captivating and impactful.

GD won Best Dance Performance for a Male Solo artist at the 2013 Mnet Asian Music Awards for “Crooked.”

4. His fashion

G-Dragon’s fashion sense is unparalleled, and he somehow manages to make anything (literally, anything) look good once he puts it on. He often mixes and matches items, goes for crazy pieces that no one else would dare to wear, and throws in a unique hair color or cut to top it all off. With his svelte figure and his laidback confidence, every outfit somehow works perfectly.

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GD is also known for his androgynous, gender-fluid style, and he frequently wears women’s clothes and painted nails, smashing existing fashion boundaries left and right. How can we forget this gender-bending photoshoot with “Vogue”?

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It’s no wonder this fashion icon has started his own brand, and PEACEMINUSONE is not only a fashion label but also a meaningful project for GD: a comment on the fact that the world still has yet to achieve the peace we should aspire to; we’re still at minus one.

5. His artistic vision

GD’s experimentation isn’t limited to fashion, and his music videos and concepts often push boundaries and challenge our conceptions of art and especially of G-Dragon himself. GD is constantly reinventing himself, like in his 2013 track “Coup d’Etat,” which features a music video that is rife with stunningly aesthetic metaphorical imagery and references to G-Dragon’s own past.

Even his more lighthearted songs are layered with meaning; in “Crayon” he turns expectations on their head, dressing in drag, psychoanalyzing himself, and generally questioning whether life is worth worrying too much about at all — “why so serious?”

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6. His lit tracks

GD is a master at writing infectiously hype songs, and the electrifyingly energetic “Crayon” is just one of many examples. His discography is full of stellar B-sides, many of which are just as lit, like “R.O.D” or “Niliria” from his “Coup d’Etat” album:

7. Kwon Ji Yong

G-Dragon’s duality is one of the most intriguing aspects of his personality: while G-Dragon wears glamorous clothes and swaggers around the stage, Kwon Ji Yong (GD’s real name) is quieter, a little shy, and very, very lovable.

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GD shed the persona of G-Dragon in his last tour before enlistment, “Act III: M.O.T.T.E.,” and let Kwon Ji Yong shine through.

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We love his cute mannerisms and soft side just as much as his sizzling charisma, and we can safely say that we missed Kwon Ji Yong just as much as we missed G-Dragon. And we’re looking forward to whatever both of these sides of GD will bring in the future!

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Hey Soompiers, what did you miss about G-Dragon during his military service? Let us know in the comments!

hgordon stays up way too late on weeknights marathoning K-dramas and trying to keep up with the latest K-pop releases. Follow her adventures in Seoul on Instagram.

Rap music has been known for its deep and reflective messages ever since it came to be, and Korean hip hop makes sure to keep that tradition alive. Idol or not, Korean rappers have penned many inspirational lyrics that gave us insight on life matters and often left us pondering the meaning that lies between the lines.

Here is a selection of Korean rap songs that address some of life’s deepest issues.

1. RM – “Moonchild”

We all face ups and downs in life that leave us lost at times, not knowing what to do or where to go next. RM is no stranger to this perplexing matter, which can be perceived in his lyrics. His song “Moonchild” says that even amidst rising challenges, we can learn to take it upon ourselves to draw the line and make peace with our struggles instead of letting them overwhelm us.

2. Song Mino ft. BIGBANG’s Taeyang – “Fear”

Fear is a natural feeling that we all face at least once in our lives, and Mino couldn’t have described it better in his track of the same name. Whether we’re afraid of the unknown, failure, or making wrong decisions, we can find ourselves in scenarios that leave us unable to move forward. Facing our fears is far from an easy task, but channeling that feeling and turning it into energy can be rewarding in ways you might not have considered before.

3. Epik High ft. Nell’s Kim Jong Wan – “Lost One”

There are times when you end up hitting a dead end while chasing your dreams, and if there is anyone who knows a thing or two about that it would be Tablo of Epik High. You may feel that everything is turning against you and everyone is out to get you, and that can make you lose track of your path. Nothing can clear up that fogginess in your mind like standing up for yourself against all odds, even the shackles of potential success. According to “Lost One,” the key is to follow a path that gives you inner serenity despite what others preach.

4. Cheetah – “Coma 07”

We all get second chances at life, and sometimes it can happen quite literally. Either way, the lesson to take from this heartfelt track from Cheetah’s own personal experience is that it’s never too late to hold on to what you believe in and fight to make it come to life. With a little bit of hope and a lot more willpower, you can be and do whatever you set your mind to.

5. MFBTY – “The Cure”

Whenever you hit a bump (or several) in life, it can bring you down and make you feel all alone. MFBTY knows enough about that experience to voice it clearly in their track below. The truth is, we all find ourselves in such situations at some point, and there is nothing wrong with that. Just remember that you can reach out and voice your worries, and that there will always be someone out there to help you move through them until you find your cure.

6. Jessi – “Unpretty Dreams”

How far would you go to make your dreams come true? Some draw a mind map to visualize it, and others walk the actual journey to see it happen. Jessi did both, and proudly raps about her experience through her song “Unpretty Dreams.” As she delivers her empowering message, the rapper states that no matter the sacrifices you make and the challenges you face, every hurdle you come across fades the minute you succeed in achieving your dream.

7. Zico – “Human”

Zico delves into the fascinating aspects of human nature in his song “Human,” where he addresses how we tend to grow up before our time and let adulthood take over the innocence of our short-lived youth. He also mentions that we question other people’s good intentions, yet we forget to be good to ourselves. At the end of the day, Zico implies that true growth is learning to accept ourselves as we are in order to do the same for others around us.

Which one of these rap songs makes you reflect the most? Let us know in the comments below!

Esmee L. is a Moroccan lively dreamer, writer, and Hallyu enthusiast.