As a Korean-American U.S. Army veteran, I saw G-Dragon not just as an idol—but as a strategist of sound and emotion
The Hitmaker Behind the Curtain - G-Dragon’s Role as BIGBANG’s Creative Core
Serving in the military, I learned to respect leadership not for rank, but for vision.
And when I started listening to BIGBANG, I saw G-Dragon not as a performer first, but as a planner—
a creative mind engineering not just music, but movement.
From lyrics to beats to concepts, he built BIGBANG from the inside out.
He wasn't just the face of the group. He was its architecture.
"Lies" - The Song That Broke the Mold and Made History
Released in 2007, “Lies” was a cultural shift.
It wasn’t just catchy—it was poetic, emotionally layered, and sharp in structure.
Written and co-composed by G-Dragon at just 19,
this song turned BIGBANG from rookies into icons.
To me, it felt like the tactical strike of a young commander.
Every line was calculated, every note hit with precision.
"Haru Haru" - Melodrama Meets Masterful Songwriting
“Haru Haru” didn’t need overproduction.
Its emotional impact came from its honesty.
G-Dragon’s lyrics told a story that was universally painful, yet uniquely personal.
It reminded me of letters soldiers write before deployment—
raw, reflective, packed with words they may never get to say.
This wasn’t just a love song. It was a narrative of loss and longing that stuck with you.
"Fantastic Baby" - The Anthem That Globalized K-Pop Energy
“Fantastic Baby” was loud, rebellious, and explosive—
everything I wasn’t allowed to be while in uniform.
Yet I couldn’t help but admire its command of chaos.
The phrase “Boom Shakalaka” became a global war cry for fun,
and the visuals challenged every expectation of what “boy bands” should look like.
This wasn’t just a hit. It was an international operation of hype.
"BANG BANG BANG" - Military Precision Meets Musical Mayhem
This track felt strangely familiar.
From the countdown opening to the explosive drop,
“BANG BANG BANG” had the energy of a tactical operation.
Discipline in rhythm. Chaos in execution.
As a vet, I heard in this song the duality I lived:
the tight choreography of battle and the unpredictable emotion beneath it.
"Last Farewell" - The Underrated Blueprint of BIGBANG’s Identity
“Last Farewell” may not get as much international attention,
but it’s the sonic DNA of what BIGBANG would become.
Written and composed by G-Dragon, it balances EDM drive with emotional hooks—
a formula many K-pop groups would follow later.
To me, it was proof that before the world caught on,
G-Dragon was already drawing maps for where K-pop could go.