BILLBOARD: Taeyang Talks ‘White Night’ Album & Tour, BIGBANG, Mandatory Military Service

On stage Taeyang is captivating, with vocals and a stage presence that exudes confidence and charisma. One of South Korea’s most popular R&B K-pop idols, he’s made his name (and career) as a member of BIGBANG. But that’s only the beginning for the 29-year-old, whose also seen success with his solo releases, though he remains true to his origins.

“All things, to me, go back to being a member of BIGBANG,” the artist tells Billboard.

Decked out in black sweats and Balenciaga high tops, he exuded simplicity in comparison to the flair of his bedazzled and befeathered, primarily white, stage outfits. “I would describe myself as a very plain but very honest person,” he says. “I don’t really hype myself up with fancy things. I do a lot less than other celebrities because I like being honest. I just want the audience to see that the performances are a real representation of myself.”

[INTERVIEW] Billboard: Taeyang Gives Track-By-Track Review of Record-Breaking ‘Rise’ Album (Video)

In Billboard’s first-ever track-by-track review for a K-pop album, the singer/rapper gets deep and reflects on his new tracks

While fans around the world knew and loved Taeyang through his group BIGBANG, it wasn’t until the release of his second solo album, “Rise,” that the K-pop singer earned support as a superstar in his own right. The LP set a record for solo Korean acts on the Billboard 200, soaring to No. 112 on the Billboard 200 and beating out chart positions from fellow international stars like BoA and labelmate G-Dragon. It’s currently sitting pretty on Billboard’s World Albums chart, too, at No. 9 for its fourth week on the ranking.

[Interview] BILLBOARD: Taeyang Talks ‘Rise,’ Michael Jackson’s Influence, Possible English Album

As lead vocalist in mammoth K-pop boy band BIGBANG, Taeyang managed to enrapture K-pop fans from all around the globe all over again with the release of second solo album “Rise” last month.

Four years after his last solo effort, the R&B-focused set was met with rave reviews, exploded to the top of the charts in Korea and even earned a major stateside accolade by reaching No. 112 on Billboard 200, a new record set for Korean solo acts.

K-Pop Star Taeyang Hits Billboard 200 [Billboard.com]

The BIGBANG member also goes No. 1 on Billboard’s World Albums and Heatseekers Albums charts.

The album title from K-pop star Taeyang adequately describes his latest activity on a slew of Billboard charts. The singer/rapper’s “Rise” LP soars into the Billboard 200, landing at No. 112. The all-Korean set sold 3,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.