The 2025 MAMA Awards was set ablaze by the comeback performance of BIGBANG’s G-DRAGON. Winning an overwhelming four awards, he showcased the prestige of a ‘living legend.’ But is it true that the brighter the light, the deeper the shadow? Even before the joy of his Grand Prize win subsided, the subsequent live performance drew an outpouring of disappointing criticism. Difficulties with high notes and a mid-song pause caused distress among many fans, with the artist himself subtly expressing his feelings by posting a ‘thumbs down’ emoji on social media, which became a hot topic.
However, G-DRAGON didn’t stop there. He excited fans by directly hinting at BIGBANG’s 20th-anniversary activities from the stage and demonstrated the true integrity of an artist with a generous $200 million KRW (approx.) donation for the fire tragedy in Hong Kong. Today’s article will conduct an in-depth analysis of the message delivered by the ‘extreme contrast’ of G-DRAGON’s MAMA performance, and coldly assess whether this is mere controversy or a signpost for a new chapter.
Why Was the Public So Strict About G-DRAGON’s Live Performance?
G-DRAGON’s MAMA stage received an explosive reaction upon release, but the majority of comments expressed disappointment regarding the stage’s completeness. Netizens reacted with comments like, “He doesn’t seem to be in good vocal condition,” and “The explosive energy from before is missing.” The point we must focus on is why such a harsh standard was applied to this live performance. Simply put, it is because he is ‘G-DRAGON.’
Ironically, the expectations the public placed on him were so high that the disappointment was inevitably magnified. G-DRAGON is a symbolic figure who has shifted the paradigm of K-POP for over a decade. Adjectives like ‘innovation,’ ‘legend,’ and ‘perfection’ have always preceded his name. For instance, just as we expect a perfect course meal from the best chef, the public constantly demanded a ‘stage that exceeds expectations’ from G-DRAGON. The assessment that this performance fell short of expectations is more accurately interpreted as a consequence of the weight of the fame he has built, rather than an actual decline in his live skills.
The Artist’s Honesty and Pressure Reflected in the ‘Thumbs Down’ Emoji
What particularly saddened fans was G-DRAGON’s direct posting of the ‘thumbs down’ emoji on his official social media. This is interpreted as a subtle admission that he was not satisfied with his own stage. Simply put, as an artist who pursues perfection, the harshest critic of his performance was none other than himself.
This single emoji reveals immense pressure. The longer an artist has been at the top, the greater the pressure of a comeback stage. This live issue goes beyond a simple ‘pitch problem’; it clearly shows the burden of being a K-POP legend that the icon G-DRAGON must carry. The public debated the decline of his skill, but deep inside, there was likely an artist’s struggle to overcome overwhelming pressure.
Four Awards and a $200M Donation: The True Value of Artist G-DRAGON
Despite the live criticism controversy, G-DRAGON won four awards at MAMA, including the Grand Prize. This fact proves that his musical influence and popular appeal remain unrivaled. The momentary completeness of a stage performance and the long-term achievement and impact of an artist must be viewed separately. The ‘Artist of the Year’ award and others presented by MAMA recognize the total value he has contributed to the K-POP scene, going beyond a single year’s success.
Furthermore, he donated 1 million Hong Kong dollars (approx. $200M KRW) for the recovery effort after the large-scale fire tragedy in Hong Kong. This generous decision to support disaster recovery, firefighters, and volunteers is an exemplary case that shows a deep insight into an artist’s social responsibility—a rational and ethical responsibility that suggests, “Any star with great influence should act this way in such a situation.” The fact that his positive influence remains strong, as much as his music, clearly illustrates where G-DRAGON’s true value lies.
BIGBANG’s 20th Anniversary Tease, A Bridge That Will Shake the K-POP Landscape
What instantly made fans forget the disappointment of the live stage was the statement made during his acceptance speech: “Next year marks the 20th anniversary of my group, and I’ll come to party with my friends so I won’t be lonely next year.” This is interpreted as an official announcement of BIGBANG’s group activities in 2026.
BIGBANG is more than just an idol group; they were a ‘global bridge’ that played a decisive role in the worldwide expansion of K-POP. Their 20th-anniversary activities will be a crucial event that can inject new vitality into the sluggish boy group market and inspire junior idols. While there may be criticism of the live performance’s completeness, G-DRAGON’s potential and influence as a ‘producer and leader’ remain the most powerful variable to shake the K-POP landscape. His statement should be interpreted not as a simple comeback tease, but as a turning point that signals the beginning of a new era, marking a milestone in K-POP history.
Using Disappointment as Momentum to Redefine the ‘Top Tier’ Standard
The image G-DRAGON presented at MAMA was truly ‘extreme contrast.’ He showed human vulnerability on stage, yet proved his overwhelming achievement on the awards platform, and demonstrated true influence off-stage.
Ultimately, this entire incident poses the question: ‘What is a legend?’ A legend is not merely someone who repeats perfect moments. Rather, a legend is an artist who reveals vulnerability and communicates with the public, earning empathy through the very process of trying to overcome that weakness. This live criticism exposed the immense pressure placed upon him, but simultaneously, it will become a new momentum toward the 20th anniversary.
So what? The insight readers should gain from this event is that ‘mistakes are part of growth.’ G-DRAGON himself gave his own stage a ‘thumbs down.’ This shows his will to make up for the disappointment in the next performance. We should now focus more on the positive signals: the glory of four awards and the 20th-anniversary announcement. His next move, especially the promised BIGBANG 20th-anniversary party next year, will not just be a fan festival, but a new chapter in K-POP history.