Taeyang
Encyclopedia
Dong Youngbae better known by his stage name Taeyang (Hangul
: 태양, Hanja
: 太陽, meaning Solar) or Sol, is a South Korean recording artist, entertainer. After appearing in Jinusean
's music video "A-yo", Taeyang began training under YG Entertainment
at the age of 12 alongside fellow member and leader G-Dragon
. After six years of vocal and dance training he made his debut in 2006 as a member of Big Bang.
, where he became one of the rappers alongside fellow trainee G-Dragon. The two were later coined as GDYB. In 2003, Dong provided the rap verse in singer Wheesung
’s single "Player" on the latter's second album.
Although Dong was scheduled to debut alongside G-Dragon as the duo GDYB, the plan was scrapped by their record label. Instead, they were joined by four other trainees (T.O.P., Daesung
, Seungri
, and Hyun Seung) to form the group Big Bang. Before their official debut, however, Hyun Seung was dropped and their final lineup consisted of five members. Choosing the stage-name Taeyang (Korean: 태양, meaning sun), Dong abandoned the idea of rapping to focus on singing. The group's formation was documented on television. Although their debut was fairly successful, the group reached mainstream success with the release of their mini-album Always
, which yielded the number-one song "Lies" (Korean: 거짓말; Revised Romanization: Geojitmal). followed by "Last Farewell" (Korean: 마지막 인사; Revised Romanization: Majimak Insa) from the mini-album Hot Issue and "Day by Day" (Korean: 하루하루; Revised Romanization: Haru Haru) from Stand Up
, both chart-toppers.
's album, Taeyang was scheduled to release a solo album. Initially scheduled for a September release, the project was pushed back due to conflicting schedules with his group. Taeyang released his debut mini-album Hot
on May 22, 2008, backed by a production team that included Teddy, Yang Hyun Suk
, Kush, and his fellow member G-Dragon
.According to the credits on the album's jacket. Moving beyond the hip-hop genre of Big Bang, Taeyang incorporated mainly R&B songs into his album, stating that it was his "main focus". He expressed disappointment with the album, however, admitting that he did not write any of the songs; he later stated that he would do so in the future to express his "thoughts and ideas."
The first single released was "Only Look At Me" (Korean: 나만 바라봐), an R&B song written by Teddy and Kush. G-Dragon later recorded a "Part Two" version to the song. The second single was "Prayer (Korean: 기도)" which featured Teddy of 1TYM
. Promotional videos were shot for both. In support of his album, he also staged his first solo concert, Hot. Later on, Taeyang received two awards from the 7th Korean Music Awards: Best R&B/Soul Song for "Only Look At Me" and Best R&B/Soul Album.
Throughout the majority of 2009, Taeyang contributed to his group's activities, recording the song "Lollipop
" with his group and labelmate 2NE1
. He later flew to Japan to promote the group's Japanese albums. After activities ended, he went back to the studio to record and release his first digital single "Where U At", followed by another digital single, "Wedding Dress". Promotional videos were filmed for both "Where U At" and "Wedding Dress." "Wedding Dress" was voted #3 on an online poll for a Dutch radio station.
Taeyang's first full-length album Solar
was released on July 1, 2010. Two versions of this album - the “Regular Edition” and the “Deluxe Edition” - was released. The regular edition contained 11 songs, while the deluxe edition, limited to 30,000 copies worldwide, had 13 songs, including “Only Look At Me” and “Prayer" from Hot. On the first day of sales for the limited deluxe edition, the 30,000 copies released by YG entertainment were sold out in online and offline stores. The album was later released on iTunes
, charting at the number-two spot on the iTunes
' Top R&B-Soul albums chart in the United States and number-one in Canada, making him the first Asian musician to do so. Two singles were released for promotion: "I Need A Girl" featuring his bandmate G-Dragon
and "I'll Be There." Taeyang is scheduled to release a solo album during the second half of 2011, although, the exact date is unknown.
Hangul
Hangul,Pronounced or ; Korean: 한글 Hangeul/Han'gŭl or 조선글 Chosŏn'gŭl/Joseongeul the Korean alphabet, is the native alphabet of the Korean language. It is a separate script from Hanja, the logographic Chinese characters which are also sometimes used to write Korean...
: 태양, Hanja
Hanja
Hanja is the Korean name for the Chinese characters hanzi. More specifically, it refers to those Chinese characters borrowed from Chinese and incorporated into the Korean language with Korean pronunciation...
: 太陽, meaning Solar) or Sol, is a South Korean recording artist, entertainer. After appearing in Jinusean
Jinusean
Jinusean is a well-known Korean hip hop duo from YG Family. The duo is made up by Jin-woo Kim and Noh Seung-hwan .-History:In 1994, Jinu debuted in Korea as a solo artist with the popular song: "I Was the Captain"...
's music video "A-yo", Taeyang began training under YG Entertainment
YG Entertainment
YG Entertainment is a record label and talent agency founded by Korean band Seo Taiji & Boys member Yang Hyun Suk and based in Seoul, South Korea. It specializes in producing R&B and hip hop music. YG stands for Yang Goon and are also the initials of the chief executive officer, Yang Hyun Suk...
at the age of 12 alongside fellow member and leader G-Dragon
G-Dragon
Aside from Big Bang, G-Dragon also made several solo appearances. After helping produce Taeyang's debut album, he recorded his own version of the album's lead single "Only Look At Me" , titled as the part two version to the song. The single was released digitally...
. After six years of vocal and dance training he made his debut in 2006 as a member of Big Bang.
2000—2008: Early beginnings and debut with Big Bang
Dong's first appearance in the entertainment industry was in the hip-hop group Jinusean's music video "A-yo". The collaboration eventually lead him to successfully auditioning into the group's record label YG EntertainmentYG Entertainment
YG Entertainment is a record label and talent agency founded by Korean band Seo Taiji & Boys member Yang Hyun Suk and based in Seoul, South Korea. It specializes in producing R&B and hip hop music. YG stands for Yang Goon and are also the initials of the chief executive officer, Yang Hyun Suk...
, where he became one of the rappers alongside fellow trainee G-Dragon. The two were later coined as GDYB. In 2003, Dong provided the rap verse in singer Wheesung
Wheesung
-EPs:*2006: Against All Odds*2008: 스마일 프로젝트 Vol.2 'Love Seat*2009: 휘성 with D.O*2009: Insomnia*2010: Realslow Is Back*2010: Winter Night*2011: Words That Freeze My Heart-OSTs:*2006: 중천의 기억*2009: 우리집에 왜 왔니...
’s single "Player" on the latter's second album.
Although Dong was scheduled to debut alongside G-Dragon as the duo GDYB, the plan was scrapped by their record label. Instead, they were joined by four other trainees (T.O.P., Daesung
Daesung
Kang Daesung is a member of K-Pop group Big Bang. Daesung was born in Itaewon, South Korea and attended high school but he dropped out and focused more on Big Bang. Then in late 2008, he focused on college entrance exams. He attended Kyunghee University in Seoul...
, Seungri
Seungri
- External links :* *...
, and Hyun Seung) to form the group Big Bang. Before their official debut, however, Hyun Seung was dropped and their final lineup consisted of five members. Choosing the stage-name Taeyang (Korean: 태양, meaning sun), Dong abandoned the idea of rapping to focus on singing. The group's formation was documented on television. Although their debut was fairly successful, the group reached mainstream success with the release of their mini-album Always
Always (Big Bang album)
Always is the first Korean Mini-Album by South Korean boy band Big Bang, released under YG Entertainment The lead single is "Lies" and was a no...
, which yielded the number-one song "Lies" (Korean: 거짓말; Revised Romanization: Geojitmal). followed by "Last Farewell" (Korean: 마지막 인사; Revised Romanization: Majimak Insa) from the mini-album Hot Issue and "Day by Day" (Korean: 하루하루; Revised Romanization: Haru Haru) from Stand Up
Stand Up (Big Bang album)
Stand Up is the third Korean mini album by South Korean boy band Big Bang, released by YG Entertainment. The mini album sold over 100,000 copies and contained the hit song "하루하루" or "Day by Day" which managed to achieve as much success as Big Bang's latest hits, "Lies" and "Last Farewell".-Track...
, both chart-toppers.
2008—present: Solo career establishment
After contributions to singer LexyLexy
Lexy is a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in north-eastern France.-External links:*...
's album, Taeyang was scheduled to release a solo album. Initially scheduled for a September release, the project was pushed back due to conflicting schedules with his group. Taeyang released his debut mini-album Hot
Hot (Taeyang album)
Hot is the first solo album by Korean singer Taeyang, member of Big Bang. The album was well received by fans and critics alike, winning two trophies from The 6th Korean Music Awards for the 2008 Best R&B/Soul Song and the 2008 Best R&B/Soul Album...
on May 22, 2008, backed by a production team that included Teddy, Yang Hyun Suk
Yang Hyun Suk
Yang Hyun-Seok is a South Korean singer, most notably a member of Seo Taiji & Boys. He is also the founder, owner, and chief executive officer of YG Entertainment.- Seo Taiji & Boys :...
, Kush, and his fellow member G-Dragon
G-Dragon
Aside from Big Bang, G-Dragon also made several solo appearances. After helping produce Taeyang's debut album, he recorded his own version of the album's lead single "Only Look At Me" , titled as the part two version to the song. The single was released digitally...
.According to the credits on the album's jacket. Moving beyond the hip-hop genre of Big Bang, Taeyang incorporated mainly R&B songs into his album, stating that it was his "main focus". He expressed disappointment with the album, however, admitting that he did not write any of the songs; he later stated that he would do so in the future to express his "thoughts and ideas."
The first single released was "Only Look At Me" (Korean: 나만 바라봐), an R&B song written by Teddy and Kush. G-Dragon later recorded a "Part Two" version to the song. The second single was "Prayer (Korean: 기도)" which featured Teddy of 1TYM
1TYM
1TYM is a four-member Korean hip hop group. The four members are: Oh Jin Hwan , Park Hong Jun , Song Baek Kyoung , and Im Taebin . Leader Teddy and lead vocalist Danny originated from the United States and moved to South Korea when they were accepted under YG...
. Promotional videos were shot for both. In support of his album, he also staged his first solo concert, Hot. Later on, Taeyang received two awards from the 7th Korean Music Awards: Best R&B/Soul Song for "Only Look At Me" and Best R&B/Soul Album.
Throughout the majority of 2009, Taeyang contributed to his group's activities, recording the song "Lollipop
Lollipop (Big Bang and 2NE1 song)
"Lollipop" is a song by Big Bang and 2NE1, created to promote a cellphone by LG Cyon. It uses an interpolation of the 1958 hit Lollipop written by Julius Dixson and Beverly Ross. The song hit the top spot on various online charts, including a 4-week #1 run on music portal M.Net...
" with his group and labelmate 2NE1
2NE1
Both the song and the group became popular online: Fire topped Mnet's online chart and 2NE1 became a popular search term. The group was awarded three Cyworld Digital Music Awards; "Lollipop" and "Fire" both won "Song of the Month" and the group won "Rookie of the Month" for May 2009...
. He later flew to Japan to promote the group's Japanese albums. After activities ended, he went back to the studio to record and release his first digital single "Where U At", followed by another digital single, "Wedding Dress". Promotional videos were filmed for both "Where U At" and "Wedding Dress." "Wedding Dress" was voted #3 on an online poll for a Dutch radio station.
Taeyang's first full-length album Solar
Solar (Taeyang album)
Solar is the first full-length solo album by Korean singer Taeyang, member of Big Bang. The album was released in two forms: the "Regular Edition" and the "Deluxe Edition" which is limited to 30,000 copies worldwide. The lead-single was "I Need a Girl" featuring his bandmate G-Dragon...
was released on July 1, 2010. Two versions of this album - the “Regular Edition” and the “Deluxe Edition” - was released. The regular edition contained 11 songs, while the deluxe edition, limited to 30,000 copies worldwide, had 13 songs, including “Only Look At Me” and “Prayer" from Hot. On the first day of sales for the limited deluxe edition, the 30,000 copies released by YG entertainment were sold out in online and offline stores. The album was later released on iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
, charting at the number-two spot on the iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
' Top R&B-Soul albums chart in the United States and number-one in Canada, making him the first Asian musician to do so. Two singles were released for promotion: "I Need A Girl" featuring his bandmate G-Dragon
G-Dragon
Aside from Big Bang, G-Dragon also made several solo appearances. After helping produce Taeyang's debut album, he recorded his own version of the album's lead single "Only Look At Me" , titled as the part two version to the song. The single was released digitally...
and "I'll Be There." Taeyang is scheduled to release a solo album during the second half of 2011, although, the exact date is unknown.
Awards
| Years | Awards |
|---|---|
| 2008 |
|
| 2010 |
|
| 2011 |
Korean Music Awards The Korean Music Awards is a major music awards show that is held annually in South Korea.-Categories:The event has 24 categories, including the Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Netizens' favorites and a Life Achievement Award.- Music genres :... : Male Musician of the Year Netizen Vote |