TOP Announces Personal Departure from BIGBANG.

Seoul - In a surprising revelation, TOP, formerly a member of the renowned K-pop group BIGBANG, has declared his voluntary withdrawal from the group.

On the 31st of May, TOP took to his Instagram account to address his departure.

Responding to a fan's inquiry about his status within BIGBANG, TOP clarified in the comments, stating, "I have already mentioned that I am leaving BIGBANG."

He further expressed, "I am embarking on a new chapter in my life."

In a notable gesture, TOP shared a screenshot on his Instagram story, featuring an article with the descriptor 'BIGBANG' preceding his name.

Notably, he placed an 'X' mark over the words 'BIGBANG,' symbolically denying any association. Additionally, TOP removed the 'BIGBANG' reference from a post where Swings mentioned him.

TOP originally debuted as part of the five-member group BIGBANG in 2006 under the management of YG Entertainment, alongside G-Dragon, Taeyang, Daesung, and Seungri.

However, in 2017, TOP encountered legal trouble due to involvement in a marijuana case while fulfilling his duties as a conscripted police officer.

Consequently, he received a suspended sentence of 10 months in prison.

Following the incident, TOP continued to participate in BIGBANG's digital single, 'Still Life,' until April of the previous year.

It should be noted that his exclusive contract with YG Entertainment had already expired at that time.

Meanwhile, TOP has hinted at an upcoming solo comeback by sharing a video on his Instagram, presumably captured in his studio space, and mentioning his ongoing work on his forthcoming album.

Fans and industry insiders eagerly await further developments regarding TOP's solo career and the future direction of BIGBANG without their former member.

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BTS member Jimin made history at the 2024 MAMA AWARDS, becoming the first solo artist ever to win the prestigious Visa Fan’s Choice of the Year award.

On November 22, Jimin was honored with the Fan’s Choice of the Year award at the 2024 MAMA AWARDS JAPAN, held at the Kyocera Dome in Osaka, Japan. This marks a huge milestone in his career, especially considering his ongoing military service.

Jimin made history as the first solo artist to win the Fan’s Choice of the Year award, a category that BTS had dominated for six years since its debut in 2018.

In addition to this achievement, Jimin also took home the Fan’s Choice Grand Prize, making him a two-time winner at this year’s awards.

Although Jimin couldn't attend the ceremony due to his military service, his name was met with loud cheers from fans when announced.

His incredible win continues to prove his global influence as a solo artist. Jimin had also won Best Male Artist at the 2023 MAMA AWARDS, marking back-to-back wins at the event.

The MAMA AWARDS praised Jimin for his groundbreaking achievements, saying, “As the first K-pop solo artist to reach 4 billion streams and set the longest-running #1 record for a Korean artist, Jimin has proven his influence as a world-class artist and global pop star.”

Jimin's win also made him the first solo artist to claim a grand prize at the MAMA AWARDS in 10 years, with his achievement sparking excitement worldwide.

On X (formerly Twitter), the hashtag “CONGRATULATIONS JIMIN” topped the trends, while “우리지민이상받았네” (Our Jimin Got the Award) reached the #1 spot in Korea.

Jimin’s ongoing success continues to shine even during his military service. He was also recently named Best K-pop at the 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards and continues to be recognized for his charitable efforts, including a recent donation of 100 million KRW to the National Defense Soldier and Veteran Love Fund.

Source: [1]