G-Dragon featured in France's L'Express

Posted by on August 16, 2012

English translation of a blog article about G-Dragon on France's L'Express:

G-Dragon, Kpop has its Idol

At Boulevardier, we are fascinated with the Kpop phenomenon that is starting to radiate on large Europeans communities. We asked Claire Solery, passionate follower of Korean culture, to tell us about current star G-Dragon. Claire is the author of Out of Korea, where she shares visual and artistic observations from Korea, especially if they have a link with France. Contemporary art, photos, cinema and Kpop are her main interests. She currently is in Seoul and you can follow her tumblr “One month in Seoul” and on Twitter (Out_Of_Korea).

On June 28th during the men's fashion week in Paris, a mini hunt happened on Twitter. Photos of G-Dragon (aka GD), leader of South Korean boy band Big Bang, attending fashion shows of Rick Owens, J. Juun and Yohji Yamamoto were posted on social networks. These attracted a handful of young girls and very young women, motivated to get a glimpse of his pink hair in Paris.

G-Dragon, whose real name Kwon Jiyong, 23, is not known to 'people' authorities and fashion experts but he has attracted the attention of a few online publications with his style. In Asia, he is one of the most famous male personalities, one of the headliners in Kpop or Korean Pop, the current worldwide purveyor of boy and girl bands that is slowly but surely penetrating the tweens market. An idol for teens who are in search of a stature in haute couture. Paris is a trophy for any respectable fashionista. Music will wait, make way for fashion.

G-Dragon is a fashionista, which is more likely to be approached as a diva in the Korean pop world. Kpop systematically establishes in each group an “idol”, backed with a concept, hair color, looks, and fits them into predetermined boxes [stereotypes]. A narrow world, where the body no longer belongs to the owner.

G-Dragon was only 8 years old when he became a "trainee" at SM Entertainment, the largest idol agency in the kingdom of Kpop. He left at 13 to join YG Entertainment whose image promotes its artists' individualities. He was made leader of a team of 5 boys "with strong personalities," among which he is the most flamboyant. He logically becomes the group’s dynamo. He composes, writes and even released a solo album.

G-Dragon also rolls in style: partnerships between YG and creators, who have well understood the importance of positioning in an environment where idols are overexposed to the media and imitated by their fans, have granted him an opened closet to Givenchy, Balmain or Comme des Garçons. He's a brand with his own trademark. He controls his aesthetics as much as possible and refines his connections in the West.

G-Dragon was also involved in some troubles that may seem trivial to us: marijuana, controversy over his compositions, picture of a flower made with a 50,000 won bill.

His sexual ambiguity can trouble us, Europeans, for we are not accustomed to the homoerotism climate of Kpop, in a society where the stigma over homosexual celebrities is quite irreversible.

G-Dragon is not a drag, not a second Lady Gaga or a Daphne Guiness. Other idols can fall under this label, but he is the perfect embodiment of the triumphant androgyne. His cat’s eyes, his slender silhouette which naturally fits women’s clothes, and his brat voice effortlessly places him at the gender crossroads.

G-Dragon has been able to navigate in a world of restrictions to build himself an image of an icon. An idol is a work on which everything can be projected, and that sends you its light back; the perfect recipe to overheat the sexuality of young debutants. On the eve of the release of his next album on August 20, G-Dragon truly is the Kpop icon for he is full of potentials: man-woman, blond, brown, pink, individual, group member. He is at the image of Kpop, very aggressive in his visual impact, all the more forthright, protean and experimental, like Kpop itself, in a sort of glorious and eccentric adolescence.

Thanks to Ouley_Soleil @ Twitter for the translation!

Filed under: G-Dragon, News

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1318193727 Kach Arumäe

    I'm really confused as to why this article mentions homosexuality...

    • jj

      It confused me a bit too but I guess it's more of like an intro of how Western society stereotypes androgynous people like GD and how it's the not the same in Korea? I get what the author meant and most likely, it's phrased better in French and something just got lost in translation ;-)

      • http://www.mykoreanhusband.com/ Nic

        Yeah it sounds a bit weird. Maybe it's the translation.

    • Lorena Abrodos

      well it says "His sexual ambiguity can trouble us, Europeans" so it's a point of view, a very respectful one by the way that is mentioned.I mean it's not like they're trying to offend him. And in my opinion, they're not lying. GD can be and do everything 'cause "full of potentials" =)

    • pascha120

      I think the meaning could've been lost in translation too. I definitely think in the West today a lot of men in the music industry aren't as adventurous fashion-wise compared to men in Kpop. Many of them (in the West) either want to dress like a folk singer like Bob Dylan, or in suits or the same common combo of jeans and a t-shirt. Nowadays it's pretty rare to see a male Western singer dress adventurously like Elton John or David Bowie. In general by the West's music industry standards today GD is sort of an anomaly/unique considering he's a heterosexual male performer who proudly pushes the boundaries of fashion to the point where he can seem a little androgynous/feminine. He's just happy doing his thing and proud to be adventurous with his fashion choices.

      Plus there are so many adventurous fashion designers at the shows he attends in Paris (Rick Owens and Riccardo Tisci have no problems putting men in skirts) and you only live once... why not wear the adventurous things rather than always wearing suits/plain tees and jeans all the time? I like that GD has the confidence to try different things/mix it up and not have the inhibiting mentality of other men who might think 'Oh that's a bit emasculating... I'm too scared to wear that and have people judge me or call me effeminate'. It'd be funny if most men going to those exciting runway shows saw the fun designs on the runway, secretly thought all the adventurous designer clothes/shoes/accessories were brilliant and wished they could wear them, but were too scared to put any of it on. In contract GD just rocks it like a boss and doesn't give a damn what anyone else thinks. Imo if his dress sense makes certain people 'uncomfortable' then perhaps that's more of a reflection of their own inhibited beliefs/close-mindedness relating to male fashion and how all men 'should' dress.

      That bit you mentioned was confusing but the thing I like about this article is that not only does it acknowledge his fashionista status, it also acknowledges his creative/artistic freedom and talent as a producer/performer. That's something I respect about GD, he's not just a pretty face or a cool dresser he has the real raw undeniable talent and determination to back up his incredible image. :)

      • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=742905400 K Dol Kan

        you get my vote for your loooooooooong comment which i read till the very end... interestingly, the invisible boundary that many men are scared to cross.. and even if they do manage to tip over.. will they be able to carry it out as graciously as GD? he does it with a finesse and the confidence that spells 'true fashionista' and not to forget.. loaded with "real raw undeniable talent and determination" - GD is unique when it comes to his wardrobe, he is a genius when it comes to music, he is just so fascinating as a person... and kwon leader, what else can i say? like someone's mentioned, i'd rather meet you than the queen of england, anyday!

    • NaToTheWak

      The translation is perfectly accurate. This sentence higlights the
      paradox between G-Dragon's androgynous looks, which could lead him to be
      labelized as homosexual in the West, and the close-minded attitude of Korea
      toward idols who revealed to be actually homosexual. It shows a very important
      detail that most Western media fail to see: there's no link between an
      idol's "effeminate" style and his sexual orientation in Korean culture.

      • NaToTheWak

        Why the heck does this site refuse a comment when it contains the word g a y? It's not an insult or a bad word!

        • Jacqueline

          I just made a comment and noticed that I'm waiting for moderation. So I guess that's why. Thanks

        • Jacqueline

          Because honestly saying homosexual is very offensive. Uber religious folks use that in a very negative way here in America.

          • Whimsical

            So its just America, there are way more countries in the world and it is a scientific word, just because uber religious people use it with heavily negative connotations does not mean everyone else has to see it that way. It is a fine word, self descriptive and straight to the point. Homosexual, heterosexual, asexual, bisexual, demisexual, pansexual are objectively good words and found in biological dictionaries. it is other people tagging on extra connotations but that doesn't mean they should be tiptoed around. Be strong, face these words, they won't hurt you its just description.

          • Jacqueline

            I'm well aware of the use of homosexuality in that it is an orientation or category. Most people in the world do not use scientific words to describe an individual instead of a grouping of people. When they do use it, they use it in the same way when they have a problem with someone who appears to be "other". I don't have problem with the word. I do not tip-toe around it all. I just don't use it. I hold back actually on the things I could say about plenty of topics here due to the sensitivity of the VIPs exploring and sharing in the conversation. I am usually the one that others run bashfully away from. I appreciate your intellect and honesty, yet we are in agreement here.

        • http://www.bigbangupdates.com/ bigbangupdates.com

          We know it's not an insult or a bad word but we get a lot of troll comments like "___ is gay" and people usually overreact and fight about it so we screen the comments first.

          • NaToTheWak

            Of course I understand that, as mods, you guise save a lot of time that way... But it's sad that you're pushed to that extreme. Treating this word like an insult doesn't help the mentalities to evolve.

  • http://twitter.com/IonaKwon FOREVER YOUNG

    This article is amazing. It really talks about the way he is and what he that he is never scared to go against society. It's really good.

  • gjapples

    Awesome! Can't wait for the release. Cool article :-)

  • kennytoo

    amen!

  • http://www.facebook.com/Ines.Kefi Inès Kefi

    Hope to see BIGBANG in France soon ♥

  • http://twitter.com/choomtop1104 |060819|

    THIS is the article that I've been wanting to see about jiyongie ^o^ not just about him being the kpop idol fashionista but also about his past and his talent :) and he is himself, not the second gaga or whoever you think he is!

  • http://twitter.com/mxxney katherine mooney

    The last sentence is absolutely perfect. When I think of K-pop, I think of GD. But that's odd, because the average K-pop artist has only an ounce of talent, personality, style and overall aura he does, yet he's this big mix of the best of all the parts in k-pop, and executes it so glamorously that it's just other worldly. It's as if because he doesn't come with the tedious, common qualities seen in other idols and is so obviously himself rather than a mere puppet for his company to dress up and parade, that it doesn't feel right to label him under the constraints of 'k-pop'. He's so much more than that, yet embodies everything people love about it.
    This was really long i'm tired sorry haha.xx

    • Claire

      Guys, I dont even know where to start with the thank you's. So I'll start on this post. If you have any question or translation issue, please ask me on my blog, twitter or on L'Express Styles, Boulevardiers blog xxxClaire (author of the article , @Out_Of_Korea )

  • http://twitter.com/AddyisVIP Aderlin Fernandez

    "He's a brand with his own trademark." ...indeed!!!
    our Kwon Leadah is simply a hot issue everywhere n anywhere~!!!

  • linnunrata

    "G-Dragon, Kpop has its Idol"
    The title of the article - says it all!

  • VipGuest

    "August 20th" :O

  • http://twitter.com/14jagiya GeeDee-REN

    this is my jiyong..ha ha..#imagine he is mine...

  • linnunrata

    Another great thing about the article is how it describes Big Bang members:

    A team of 5 boys "with strong personalities" - which is the thing I love most about them too!

  • https://twitter.com/#!/elanieyzww xxelxx

    even France agree GD as a fashionista. not being biased for Ji, aside of VIP and GD's fangirl side of me, this is one of most excellent article on Ji written by foreign author and somehow i keep myself nodded when i read the article. the whole article itself is really genuine & true. fashionista GD, genius song writer GD,, i love how the 2nd last paragraph was written. GD is awesome

  • http://twitter.com/adri_adrienne ♛Adriana 아드리아나♛

    yes -->"He's a brand with his own trademark." Jiyong revolutionized the music and fashion :)

  • http://twitter.com/maytriever Amy

    Yes! Finally, my 6 years of french has paid off. I read all the comments, albeit a little slow, and understood 95% of it (my vocab lacks!).

  • http://bigbangsmiles.blogspot.com/ ♛ HunnyBB ❤ 지용 ♛

    ds article really proves dt GD is not a common pple who like to copying others styles or wht..but hes d true fashion icon..as for the homosexuality things, i think its cz thre are pple outside thre who didnt know a thing abt GD or other kpop artiste are confused n even jealous upon their creative makeovers, as a result, they bring up the issue as the kpop industry blooms..however, for a superstar like GD, tis is nothing for him..though he had face lots of speculation til now, hed mnage to survive wt flyin colors..:)))) then DTS wht true fashion idol is all abt~ and of coz NO ONE cn be like him~

    love ya GD! XDDDD

  • BESTBB

    I like this article, but why does it make such an emphasis on sexuality? I think GDs fashion choice is to make a conceptual statement related to his music, not necessarily a statement about sexuality.

  • baynstalk

    is it really true that he was a trainee of SM before?

  • Kimmy

    I think the article is just saying he's not afraid of pushing boundaries and he does and wears what he wears confidently without worrying people questioning about his sexuality because I mean it's pretty darn obvious he's heterosexual.

    • subdee

      "because I mean it's pretty darn obvious he's heterosexual"

      Pretty darn obvious he's sexually attracted to (some) women, you mean. It's not quite the same thing :p

      • http://twitter.com/leileiyoungmj leila richards

        What do you mean by that

        • subdee

          Short answer would be that bisexuality exists.

          Long answer would be that I don't think GDragon is "obviously" heterosexual at all. He* obviously likes women, but that's not quite the same thing as obviously liking only women. We're talking about someone who's on record as having many different "types," who's talked about being attracted to men** before in interviews. Heterosexuality is a box. Why assume?

          *Used for convenience. As the interview mentions, "he" doesn't fit a gender box either.

          **Like all the ones in Big Bang. Yeah it's fanservice, but it's also the only way Kpop idols can talk about same-sex attraction without being tied to the stake. So I tend to think it's just as likely that there's a kernel of truth to this, as that it's all a fabrication.

          Sorry for the overly serious answer, I just get tired of how absolutely unthinkable it seems to be, for so many people, that their idols might be anything else besides straight.

  • http://twitter.com/SuzieAlfredshin Suzie Yusuh

    Nice..I like this article, waiting for his 2nd Solo Album, you guys might say "Oh..I didn't know he could do that" be ready, I know he is a guy full of surprises ^___^

  • http://twitter.com/J4Y41 J4Y4

    .... Wait In the ending did it just say man-woman? O-0

    • aya

      Lol i know right.

      • Guest

        Hey, It was actually 'man, woman', in the original version ^^
        Claire (post author)

  • http://twitter.com/indah_ksl Ri Chan

    ji have all, what need to be famous people.....

  • claymaryel

    G-dragon you're the man!!

  • pary16

    ah i love him more than any other celebrity in the world if they asked me whether i wanted to meet obama/queen of england/lady gaga/who ever else or him i would choose him no matter freaking what, i really hope we meet face to face someday :)

  • http://twitter.com/eyfa96_victory 승리

    Love love Love !

  • ermo49

    An excellent article about GD!

  • http://twitter.com/pomsterr promi ferdousi

    I quoted my favourite part and posted it on tumblr. This piece of writing basically articulates ALL my thoughts and feelings on G Dragon. To me, he's an enigma and I like that. Not everything is laid on a platter with him, he reveals glimpses through his art and his fashion.
    That is exactly why he's my bias.

  • http://twitter.com/JustSyue ♔SyuE♔

    i've never read my notes with this serious expression. but about gd, i've read it seriously. haha :D

  • http://twitter.com/sayha0909 seha

    he rocks on anything that he wears...even he wear a skirt..i dun think i can pull it on like how gd did it...
    just like his own words...VILTA DOLCE MODERATO..HAVE FUN AND LIVE A SWEET LIFE...:))

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Sil-GO/564953915 Sil GO

    I really really like this article!! It definitely points out the persona of GD: the mass media creation of indelible image........really love it!!!

  • http://twitter.com/crystala_13 김래순

    One word--- AMAZING! :)

  • Jacqueline

    The article is a great article. She wrote it from a very honest western point-of-view. The gay aspect is what I'm referring to. Jiyong is very effeminate in the way he carries himself. However, he has always been that way from what I can tell. I only found out about him and his group this year. I'm not one to be all fan girl so I don't follow their every heartbeat. i think the songs that Jiyong creates are wonderful. I admire his creative spirit period. Yet, i get where the author of this article is coming from. His actions are confusing to someone who may only just be entering the Big Bang arena. I have seen some videos in the past and of course recent ones. Jiyong has a very loving personality, yet I know I lot of that has to do with him not really growing up with his family so the people around him became his family and so he carries great love for them.

    To the average person just stumbling upon a video and seeing a guy who some would call "pretty" hugging other guys, and bashfully laughing with said guys, as well as kissing them, resting his hand on their leg the way a lover does, among other things. I don't have a problem with any of it because I have an open mind. A great deal of the world (due to men displaying that a true man is macho) will look at that and think "gay". No matter how many videos he puts out and stage performs or songs he writes proclaiming love for a woman, kissing a woman, you get the point. No matter how much he talks about the kind of woman he wants and wanting to start a family. People get confused by him. His stage performance is strong masculine yet offstage he's quite feminine. What a lot of people don't realize is that there are a lot of women who love an androgynous man. Sexuality is a topic that comes up because people are curious about the loves and/or the lack there of in their lives. Jiyong always look so sad and lonely. People are curious about his love life just as they are any other celebrity. The bigger he gets the more he will have to deal with this. The more he moves away from Korea to gain more fans, the more he will deal with this. As long as he knows who he is, it's not an issue except to those who take offense to it. Sexuality shouldn't matter, however the society outside Korea wants to know everything. THAT is just how it is. We don't know the culture that is why it's important to teach it. If you step outside the bubble, you have to be prepared for what you experience. Some can handle it while others can't. It seems to me most of the time when they came just to the US for instance they were like little children at Disney with awe struck faces and childlike. Their behavior came off awkward. Just watch behind the scene footage of the High High. You can clearly see the difference in cultures. They were polite in their partying compared to others around them, lol. It looked awkward. I don't believe the author meant anything negative.

    • Alica

      Jacqueline, this is really nicely written comment and i completely agree with you;) I am open minded person and i am enjoying everything that JiYong does but most people outside of Kpop world would not understand his actions and appearance. He is really special and I like that, well not only me but all GD´s fans like that:D

      • Jacqueline

        Thank you, Alica. Jiyong is extremely special. He goes beyond anything and everything most people in this genre could imagine due to his focus, perfectionism, and respect for the material.

        Most people wouldn't understand him because he's a true artist. Artist tend to take inspiration from everything around them. Jiyong eye for color because of art and fashion due to I'm sure following trends set all over the world. Just look at the Japanese street kids clothing for instance. The Japanese have so many styles it's awesome! Mix, the elegance, of say a Givenchy with the bright bold coloring of Japanese fashion and you've got so something interesting, exciting, and well, Jiyong. The more the world gets to know him through his music, the more they will love him without judgement.

  • mizskullzzz

    GD is truly a fashionista...

  • http://twitter.com/fayelfrida fayelfrida

    G-Dragon has been able to navigate in a world of restrictions to build himself an image of an icon.

    THIS! GD is an ICON. setting his own standards. without compromising the scrutinizing eyes of stereotypes. I just love his freedom of choice and be unique on his style. :))

  • http://twitter.com/KLL331 lucy lucylin

    i dont find this article offensive, its not saying GD is homo or wat its just saying his fashionable and brave :D

  • noshearth

    PS to my earlier comment.....What a wonderfully written article!

  • https://twitter.com/kechiklalala Choi Seung Hyun

    The quality of Kwon Jiyong ! AWESOME !!!!

  • http://www.facebook.com/szabina.nagy1 Nagy Szabina

    OMG :3 i really miss his blonde hair :/

  • k pop

    G-DRAGON was actually an SM trainee . good thing he joined YG

  • Claire

    Hello, I am claire and I wrote the article. Trying to post a comment but it won't show, so trying again ^^ I can't say how much I'm thankful for all the support here. I will post a few precisions on my blog on what got lost in translation in the article asap, so if you have any questions, ask away via Twitter, the article or the blog ! - xxClaire @Out_Of_Korea.

    • Alica

      Great article, girl!:) You made a right points about JiYong:)) Thanx for that;)

    • noshearth

      Hi yes once again....wonderful article about a very special person!

    • linnunrata

      Thank you very much for this lovely article- it is so great to read...

  • VipVip

    Wow I'm impressed at this article, it's much better than any other article about GD I've seen outside Korea. And it brings out interesting point of views without sounding offensive or anything imo. I'm glad the writer took the time to do good research and make this wonderful article! This is how he should be written about.

  • http://twitter.com/planetstwinkle Celia Rose

    YES. This article is perfect~
    I love that it sums up G-Dragon in few enough words to keep the reader hooked, without totally gushing over how awesome he is (because, of course, he is~).
    I also like that the article addresses his androgyny. It's what I've found incredibly beautiful about him the more I've paid attention to BIGBANG's activities aside from music. He's not the most attractive man or the next Steve Rogers (though YB better watch out--GD's arms in those G-Market promos were a-ma-zing), but he's got an aesthetic that people can't resist.

  • https://twitter.com/najwashah_BBVIP Najwa Shah ♛

    I love this article <3 "G-Dragon, Kpop has it idol" "G-Dragon is a Fashionista" indeed (Y).. I hope those negative issue about him was disposed...

  • http://twitter.com/pao_petite Pao ♕

    Nice article READ IT!

  • http://twitter.com/sanctuary1718 i’m d best. PERIOD.

    i can't describe my thoughts for this article because you guys had already said it. VERY WELL DONE. ALL OF YOU. haha. just so proud of GD & VIPs >:) :">

  • http://twitter.com/mrsfishie15 HENG SHO♕

    THIS ARTICLE SPEAKS TRUTH!!

  • http://twitter.com/glyn_n muggledore

    I wanna give a BIG hug to whoever wrote this!!!
    That person did his research thoroughly~
    Journalism is ALIVE.
    THANK GOD.

    • Guest

      Hey, Thanks much !(Claire, author of the post)

  • http://twitter.com/Liloamoon Lilit

    What the hell... If guy is glamorous, stylish and takes care of his look, it doesn't mean that he's "gay" or homosexual

  • freebody

    I think this is by far the best summary I've read for gd's image and his beauty. I know a lot of people tries to frame him to the norm; wishes him to be more masculine, have more muscles, etc. But the fact that his image is so androgynous is why he is beautiful & different to all other kpop celebrities.
    As a VIP I'm so proud that he's not afraid of embracing fashion that surpasses all gender boundaries!!

  • PLD

    hmmm...I think I'm the only person who did not like this article. First of all, GD is not an adolescent, he's a grown man, and I don't think his voice is "brat" like, whatever the author means by that. To me, this article seems to portray GD as some kind of entertainment prop, and not like a real person. Saying that you can project whatever you want onto him, and he just reflects it back, just did not sit well with me. GD has too much substance for that. I also don't like the implication that KPOP is for created and marketed just for tweens. Since I'm an adult, is she saying I'm too old to like KPOP?
    Whatever

    • http://twitter.com/leileiyoungmj leila richards

      Agreed

      • Guest

        Hey there ,

        The point of the article I wrote was to say that GD impersonates an endless source of possibilities because he has this fluidity and plasticity about him. This is not to say the guy has no substance, just that he is a quintessential entertainer. I think that's the fascination that icons have on us and I actually don't see anything derogatory about that. If GD was your average entertainer that you have the impression you can fully comprehend, there would be no article at all. Also, Kpop is mainly marketed at tweens, which in a French context means Twenty + teenagers. Maybe the acception is different elsewhere. I am way past 25 myself so that would be kind of interesting if I ordered anyone away from Kpop ^^ Claire, (post author)

  • reen558

    This is a perfect article for the perfect man !

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ana-Suhana/634343248 Ana Suhana

    very good article. two thumbs up!

  • http://twitter.com/Kikeyyee Rizki Amelia (아멜리아)

    Speechless~ GD Jjang !!

  • http://twitter.com/AviWill Avi Will

    hm, I actually loved this article

  • FRIYE

    A brilliantly written article! That's exactly why I like GD a lot. He's a true artist in the sense that he pushes boundaries of sexuality. From my point of view, art should be able to cross gender boundaries, or put in this way, art should be unisex, and I think GD is living to that philosophy himself. He reminds me a lot of Leslie Cheung. A true adventurous artist.