By now you’ve most likely heard of G-Dragon, the Korean pop juggernaut whose exploits in music and style we covered extensively last year. But if you’re not a K-pop enthusiast, you are probably unaware of Taeyang—G-Dragon’s best friend since childhood, YG Entertainmentlabelmate, and fellow member in the mega-group Big Bang. Though he isn’t quite as flashy as GD, Taeyang is undoubtedly a star in his own right, with a well-earned reputation in K-pop circles as the genre’s best R&B singer and dancer. (He’s also a global face for Calvin Klein’s new CK One campaign.) Taeyang’s second solo album, RISE, has topped the iTunes album charts in 10 countries since its release in June,
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Artists grow and change – it’s a necessary part of the creative process and part of an ever evolving process of becoming. As a natural consequence, fans also come and go as their tastes also change and fit differently with every phase of the artists’ career. But even to fans who resolutely journey along with an artist, especially a young one, there are times when significant transformations can be unsettling. Continue reading [Opinion/Discussion] An Essay: Dealing with Change→
After being on an international fansite for a while, I realize that it is already a challenge for fans to understand each other in forums and fansites because of language differences and the different cultural contexts we all have. Can you imagine how difficult it is for an artist having to do the same thing?
Bluemaid and I were talking about how much Taeyang has changed over the years, not only musically but also personality wise and we thought that it would be a great conversation to expand to our fellow Taeyang fans.
We know a lot of us at ATY are worried about Daesung and all the people affected by his accident, and that waiting and worrying is really hard. Since we are mostly music lovers here, what are the songs that help you get through your troubles, whatever they are?
I can guess what most of you are thinking: “He must really love that song.’ “Does he actually know the rest of the words?” “When will he actually finish the whole thing?
One of the first artists to ever do Taeyang remakes, our friends over at Kanauru, came out with their much awaited masterpiece in time for the anniversary. Thanks Richard and Qui!
Time flies doesn’t it? It has been exactly one year since Taeyang’s sad song of missed chances first made fangirls cry (and dare I say it, maybe even a fanboy or two?) While the initial reception in Korea was not as warm as hoped, the little song that could has been making its way around the globe winning Taeyang new admirers in some far off places. The song, dance and video have inspired the more dedicated fans from all over to do their own renditions – some heartfelt, some funny, some just plain awesome.
A series of critics who reviewed SOLAR speak about the album~ These are must reads, as most of these are top honchos in the music critics arena….
Kim Hakseon (music webzine Boda’s chief editor) ★★★★
We’re witnessing a person who is realizing his dream from being an idol to his current stage. Taeyang’s SOLAR is this proof. His vocals have become more expressive and deeper and the musical breadth is much wider. In a few words, it’s a good R&B album. Congratulations on putting your name on the “AWESOME” list in the domestic R&B scene in the list made by Deez and Jinbo!
It is Taeyang – Dong Young Bae’s – 1st full album (SOLAR) that can completely enter the category of a “Well Made” album and at the level of “CAN DO” (as in, he CAN reach the top tiers of music).
It is obvious that he is a singer who assimilates American mainstream R&B in the most stylishly form in Korea, and that was confirmed in his first mini album that contains ‘Look only at me’ made by Teddy. I’m am very satisfied that the boy who has featured in Se7en and Lexy’s albums as well as Wheesung’s 2nd album <It’s Real> has combined his strengths to grow up like this. Continue reading [Critics Review] Now YG does music that’s “well-made”→
Fansite dedicated to Mr. Dong Young Bae aka. Tae Yang
Always Tae Yang 