G-Dragon, a member of South Korean boy band BIGBANG, changed the title song of his new solo album, according to his agency Thursday, most likely to avoid controversy over the provocative name.

The title song of G-Dragon’s album “Kwon Ji Yong,” which comes out Thursday evening, has been changed from “Bullshit” to “Untitled,” according to YG Entertainment. Earlier this month, YG had announced that the title track was “Bullshit.”

YG didn’t offer an explanation as to why the rapper-singer switched the title song. But observers speculate that the artist may have decided to place the provocative hip-hop track on the back burner to avoid controversy, especially in light of band mate T.O.P’s recent marijuana scandal and drug overdose.

T.O.P was hospitalized Tuesday from an apparent overdose of benzodiazepine, a day after he was indicted without detention on charges of smoking marijuana. He is suspected of smoking the banned substance four times with a 21-year-old female trainee singer at his home in Seoul in October last year.

According to the company, “Untitled” is a slow-tempo track that sings of longing for a love to return after a breakup.

Kwon Ji-yong is G-Dragon’s real name. As the title suggests, the album has an autobiographical aspect to it, with lyrics focused on G-Dragon’s personal character and growing pains as he is about to enter his 30s.

“It’s not an album meant to produce another hit song but rather he filled it with the music and lyrics that he wanted to produce and tell,” a YG representative said.

Debuting as a BIGBANG member in 2006, the singer made a solo debut in 2009 with “Heartbreaker.” He has since released two more albums: “One of a kind” in 2012 and “Coup d’etat” in 2013.

Following the release of the new album, the singer is to begin a concert tour of 19 cities around the world in Seoul on Saturday.

Source: Yonhap News 

(ATTN: REWRITES headline, lead; UPDATES with new details in paras 2-4)

SEOUL, June 8 (Yonhap) — T.O.P, a K-pop star who has been hospitalized for an apparent drug overdose, has shown improvement in his condition and is able to recognize people and communicate, according to his family Thursday.

“(His condition) has improved substantially,” the singer’s mother told reporters at Ewha Womans University Medical Center in western Seoul after visiting her son being treated in an intensive care unit.

When asked whether she made eye contact with her son, the mother answered, “Yes.”

A senior police official from T.O.P’s police squad, who accompanied the mother, said, “He recognized me. It seems he can communicate.”

The 29-year-old singer-rapper, whose real name is Choi Seung-hyun, was hospitalized Tuesday from an apparent overdose of benzodiazepine, a day after he was indicted without detention on charges of smoking marijuana.

T.O.P, member of popular boy band BIGBANG, is suspected of smoking the banned substance four times with a 21-year-old would-be singer, only identified by her surname Han, at his home in Seoul in October last year.

YG Entertainment, which represents T.O.P, apologized for the singer’s marijuana scandal that sent a shock wave through fans.

“We deeply apologize to everyone who was let down and hurt by the string of disgraceful incidents involving T.O.P,” YG said in a statement.

South Korean singer and actor T.O.P of boy band BIGBANG, who is serving his mandatory military service as a conscripted policeman, leaves his workplace in Seoul surrounded by reporters questioning his marijuana charges on June, 5, 2017. (Yonhap)

“For not being able to rise up to your expectations, we will gravely acknowledge any blame,” YG said, adding that it will do its best to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

Choi has been serving his mandatory military service as a conscripted policeman since February. He had worked at the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul but was transferred to a different police corps in eastern Seoul following his indictment.

His military service period will be put on hold until a court reaches a verdict. If he receives a jail term of 18 months or more, he will be dishonorably discharged from the service.

All able-bodied Korean men are required to complete at least 21 months of military service before the age of 35 in South Korea.

The use of marijuana is banned in South Korea and can be punished with a maximum of five years in prison or a fine of up to 50 million won (US$44,640).

Source: Yoonhap This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.