G-Dragon leaves YG and joins Warner Music
G-Dragon, one of K-pop's most influential figures and former member of the wildly successful group BIGBANG, has made a stunning move away from YG Entertainment, one of South Korea's largest entertainment companies, and towards Warner Music. This announcement has sparked both excitement and controversy among fans and industry insiders alike, with numerous reactions surfacing on Chinese social media platform Weibo.
1 October 2023
On September 27th, a group of supporters released a video welcoming G-Dragon to the Warner Records headquarters in Los Angeles, further fueling speculation about his departure from YG Entertainment (Figure 1). Shortly after, the artist himself confirmed his arrival at Warner Studios through photos released online. This move marks a significant shift for G-Dragon, who has been with YG since the beginning of his career and was instrumental in their success as one of South Korea's leading entertainment companies.
Despite the official announcement not having been made by either party, fans have already begun sharing their congratulations and excitement on Weibo (Figure 2). Many expressed their support for G-Dragon's new endeavor, eagerly anticipating his first release under Warner Music. Some fans even joked about the potential good luck they might gain from being connected to him or shared memes about the 'ghost' G-Dragon and his mysterious reputation in the industry.
However, not all reactions have been positive. Some Weibo users expressed skepticism and concern towards YG Entertainment, joking that the company is "waiting for bankruptcy" (Figure 3). Others criticized G-Dragon's decision to leave YG, with one user sarcastically stating, "Have Yang Jua's official announcement been made yet?" (Figure 4), implying a lack of trust in the company's future.
Despite these mixed reactions, it is clear that G-Dragon's move to Warner Music has generated significant interest and excitement both within the K-pop community and beyond. As one of South Korea's most influential artists, his impact on the industry will undoubtedly be felt as he embarks on this new chapter in his career. Fans eagerly await official confirmation from both G-Dragon and YG Entertainment, as well as word on when they can expect to hear new music from the artist. For now, all eyes are on G-Dragon as he begins his exciting journey with Warner Music.