Where is the End of G-Dragon’s Popularity? Highly Praised by USA Media as “Muse for Men’s Fashion”
[CBS노컷뉴스 유원정 기자] “Big Bang” member G-Dragon’s popularity is skyrocketing. Not only his music but also his fashion style is drawing much attention from overseas.
Part 1 and Part 2 of G-Dragon’s second full solo album released on the 2 this month have topped iTunes album charts in eight and seven Asian countries respectively, upon hitting record stores. Such a success is all the more meaningful because it has been achieved without any particular overseas promotion.
American music media Billboard also highly praised G-Dragon on the 4 this month (local time) saying, “G-Dragon has presented amazing music that knows no border between the West and East, through his new album and he has proven that a K-Pop star is equal to a Western pop star.”
Following such an attention by the media, USA’s magazine COMPLEX published an in-depth feature story about G-Dragon’s style and fashion. COMPLEX is a lifestyle magazine for American men.
In an interview with G-Dragon which was featured on the cover of the September issue of COMPLEX published on the 10 this month, G-Dragon was called “a perfect muse for men’s wear”.
According to the magazine, G-Dragon has a slim figure that makes anything look gorgeous on him and the otherness coming from his Asian ethnicity makes him able to take the risk of wearing unisex costume, hairstyle, make-up, etc., which most of the men are afraid of even trying.”
The magazine went on to say “World-best fashion brands have already been working hard to sponsor G-Dragon”.
G-Dragon’s personal connection with famous fashion people was disclosed as well.
“In the line of G-Dragon worshippers whose number is increasing mainly in the USA, ther is “PYREX Vision”s Virgil Abloh. After he posted the photo of G-Dragon in Pyrex on his Instagram, he witnessed the popularity of his brand soar in Asia.”, said the magazine.
Clothing brand “En Noir”s brand director CurT@!n$ also complimented G-Dragon, saying, “He makes a habit of dressing up in “Balmain”, “Givenchy”, “Dior”, and other brands from head to toe, creating a perfect look with a lot of outfits like a rock star.”
In an interview, G-Dragon said, “I instantly think of what to wear for performance, when I write a song. Clothing is almost a tool for expression of my music.”
G-Dragon’s new album “COUP D’ETAT” has received a series of rave reviews as well.
The magazine went on to say, “The difference of this album from prior ones is that there are some tracks that can be imagined on the play list of Americans. There are songs for which artist Diplo and Baauer collaborated and the featuring by Sky Ferreira and Boys Noize, love of hipsters, is notable as well.”
Diplo, who has frequently collaborated with G-Dragon, said in an interview, “G-Dragon is a wonderful guy. He is bigger than the K-Pop scene, fearless, and punk”. Artist Skrillex also said, “What is the most respectable about G-Dragon is that he and his members have built their own unique realm in the music scene.”
Ben Vala, CEO of a jewellery brand, said, “A guy who has the potential to be successful (in America, among K-Pop artists) is G-Dragon.”
2013. 9. 11.
