Arzen Rose Dulzura

T.O.P announces first solo comeback after 13 years

Article (news)

Alyana De Guzman

Push Team

<p>Korean rapper and former BIGBANG member Choi Seung-hyun, widely known as T.O.P, is officially making his long-awaited return to solo music. On January 1, the artist surprised fans by confirming that he is set to release a new album, marking his first solo release in over 13 years and his first new music since leaving BIGBANG in 2023. </p><p>T.O.P shared the announcement through a video posted on his Instagram account, showing a man – with many speculating it was him – writing the phrases “TOP SPOT” and “ANOTHER DIMENSION,” with the latter written in Korean characters. It also featured a deep atmospheric beat, hinting his new music.  </p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-6" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DS8dD8OEy16/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A6%2C%22os%22%3A9354421.700000048%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="847" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-6" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>Alongside the visual teaser, he directly confirmed the comeback in the caption, writing, “A NEW ALBUM IS ON THE WAY, TOP SPOT - 다중관점 [ANOTHER DIMENSION].” </p><p>The post immediately ignited excitement among fans, as T.O.P has not released solo material since his 2013 digital single “Doom Dada.” The upcoming project will mark his first solo release in more than a decade, coinciding with BIGBANG’s 20th debut anniversary this year. T.O.P debuted as a member of the legendary group in 2006 before officially departing in 2023, with his last group release being the 2022 single “Still Life.”</p><p>T.O.P stepped away from the limelight after being involved in a drug-related controversy and later fulfilling South Korea’s mandatory military service. In 2017, he received a 10-month suspended jail sentence after pleading guilty of marijuana use, effectively halting his entertainment activities.  </p><p>Years later, during an Instagram live broadcast in February 2020, he openly declared his withdrawal from the industry, stating, “I won&#x27;t make a Korean comeback. I don&#x27;t want to make any comeback... They&#x27;re so evil. People.” </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2025/1/29/t-o-p-grateful-proud-of-squid-game-role-thanos-0947"><strong><u>READ: T.O.P &#x27;grateful, proud&#x27; of &#x27;Squid Game&#x27; role Thanos</u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>That stance appeared to shift in late December 2024, when T.O.P appeared on screen through the Netflix series <em>Squid Game 2</em>, portraying the character Thanos. The role marked his first acting project in years and was followed by his first media interview in over 11 years.  </p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-8" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DC2r5LnyaNQ/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A8%2C%22os%22%3A9394472.800000012%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="847" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-8" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>In the interview with <em>The Korea Times</em>, T.O.P addressed his decision to return, saying, “I felt a strong desire to apologize for everything that has happened. I also feel that the lack of communication has led to a lot of misunderstandings. After careful consideration, I gathered the courage to come forward.” </p><p>Reflecting on the rise and fall of his career, he shared how the experience deeply affected him. “In my 20s, I experienced glorious moments and received an overwhelming amount of love. However, I fell and faced ruin because of my mistakes. Experiencing such a downfall left me mentally devastated. I struggled to make rational decisions, everything seemed negative, and I dealt with significant self-hatred,” he said. </p><p>“As a result, I made many mistakes due to poor judgement. I deeply regret those mistakes and have been reflecting on them sincerely.” </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/07/20/17/big-bangs-top-gets-suspended-sentence-for-drug-use"><strong><u>READ: Big Bang&#x27;s T.O.P gets suspended sentence for drug use</u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>According to T.O.P, his return to the public eye was not initially part of his plan. “No one sought me out for ten years. Then [director Hwang Dong-hyuk of <em>Squid Games</em>] invited me to audition, and I wanted to repay that trust by giving my best performance. Honestly, I didn’t plan on returning to the entertainment industry before that,” he explained. The role, which involved portraying a washed-up rapper struggling with drugs, forced him to confront what he described as his “past mistakes and shame.” </p><p>T.O.P also spoke candidly about his departure from BIGBANG, taking responsibility for his decision to step away from the group. “I am the one who caused harm to BIGBANG, the group that brought me my brightest days. After completing my military service, I went to the members and YG Entertainment and told them I would leave the group,” he said. He added that his “immense guilt” has kept him from staying in touch with the other members, though he expressed hope for reconciliation in the future. “Maybe when more time has passed and I find peace, I’ll be able to contact them.” </p><p>As T.O.P prepares to enter a new chapter with his upcoming album, BIGBANG’s remaining members G-Dragon, Taeyang, and Daesung – are also marking a milestone year, with a scheduled performance at the 2026 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival after their previously planned 2020 appearance was canceled due to the pandemic.</p>

<p>Former BIGBANG member T.O.P has confirmed that new solo music is on the way, marking his first solo comeback after more than a decade.</p>

Former BIGBANG member T.O.P has confirmed that new solo music is on the way, marking his first solo comeback after more than a decade.