Editor's Comment on G-Dragon's Harper's Bazaar Photo Shoot

Posted by on August 28, 2012

From the September issue of Harper's Bazaar Korea:

This is a bit of an overstatement, but we had to prepare for GD's shoot in Paris for a year. I think it was worth doing it since he's the most attractive celebrity in Korea.

It was me who suggested to go to Paris. (If you're an editor who already went abroad with celebrities more than once for photo shoots, I'm sure you know never to suggest without asking them first.) I contacted the fashion house he was interested with and the baccarat crystal museum where I had wanted to shoot for the last 10 years. But every weekend, BIGBANG had concerts in Japan and after that, a world tour which included Brazil.

Although we had YG Entertainment's full support and an understanding with stylist Ji Eun, taking GD to Paris was really hard. Moreover, scheduling the staffs' flights took weeks to arrange. We prepared everything he wanted like the hotel, bodyguards, car, etc.

Anyway, we went to Paris and G-Dragon, who we met there, was really kind and well-mannered. His appearance, abilities and talents... I thought he deserves to (or has the right to) be bad but he wasn't. He was full of charm. When we met him for dinner, he gave all the staff a full bow from the waist and conversed with them.

The next day at the studio, Givenchy's new collection fitted him very well and he impressed everyone with his skills. If you saw the video on Youtube, you would know that he has an inborn talent for photo shoots.

After the shoot, he wanted to experience the Paris Men's Fashion Week so he chose the shows he could and wanted to go to. At Rick Owens' show, which was the first how he attended, the paparazzi swarmed like bees because of his remarkable look. At Yohji Yamamoto and Junya Watanabe's shows, his fans in Paris also went to see him. At the last show he attended, Juun J's show, so many fans came that he had to leave the show through the back stage. This was the moment my heart felt full. A Korean celebrity is loved by so many locals! Too bad he couldn't see the other shows because of his schedules. He finished his 4-day trip to Paris then went back to Tokyo for a concert.

The Harper's Bazaar issue featuring G-Dragon's shoot was released July 20. Thanks to G-Dragon who promoted it on Twitter before the release, the magazines sold out in 3 days. We had to re-print and the magazines sold out again after a few days. No one can sell Bazaar as fast as G-Dragon. And no one can set all editors buzzing. Many fashion houses in Paris are thinking of sending him love calls. This is the tremendous G-Dragon effect! He is not only a Hallyu star but a sensation.


Translation from Luekim @ Tumblr

Filed under: G-Dragon, Magazines

  • http://twitter.com/Mylenne007 Mylenne Shindou

    Have to love him, there is no other option. Fuc*** proud of you GD.

  • gg

    "This is the tremendous G-Dragon effect! He is not only a Hallyu star but a sensation." Like that one French article said, he's an i c o n.

  • dodo18

    i will never understand why in the world everybody expect gd to be bad mannered . why ? because he is rapper ? because he don't have the innocent celebrity image . when in the world will korea understand that most celebrities have a stage personas and that might be different with their true personality! anway now kwon leadah since you have seen how much fans you guys have in france lease confirm paris for alive tour

    • jj

      G-Dragon is known to have a cold persona even off stage (even K-fans know this), especially around people he's not close to.

      • Asako

        Really? So he's not friendly right away? Is this the equivelance of shy,...or...?

        • jj

          Yup sort of.. like in an intimidating way..

          • Kimmy

            I agree. He seems very intimidating and chic but people said that makes him appealing in a way.

          • NunmulBaboBB

            Yeah, The other members said " we were intimidated by hIm, so we portrayed him as cold" but as they got close to him, they saw his playful side. I love how GD is perfect for being a leader, because he gets a long with all of them, and he never is awkward with them. There is people like that, that most people feel comfortable with. Dae who is awkward with a lot of people, is very cool and happy when he is with GD.

      • dodo18

        but having a cold personality don't make you ill mannered immediately. being cold & having bad manners are two different things

        • jj

          Hmm, how do you say this. I guess it's like the combination of his cold personality + him being a big star, people tend to assume that he has a diva attitude.

          And, "when in the world will korea understand that most celebrities have a
          stage personas and that might be different with their true personality!" -- This is not just in Korea. Pretty sure this is a normal assumption people have of celebrities.

          • dodo18

            it might be people assumption but i often refrain to pu etiquete on peoples unless i know them personaly! and i said korea since they seem to emphasise a lot on their celebrities image than in the west for example

        • pascha120

          IA. Seeing as though he's busy juggling many different projects a lot of the time that might also explain why he's a little cold/distant at times. He could be seriously thinking of ideas/projects even when he's around others/fans and his lack of interaction/speaking in that particular moment could be to do with that. His silence could be read (on face value) as being cold but in reality in that moment with all the commitments he has he might have a lot on his plate/thinking about projects/multitasking and is having trouble finding time out to just chill and not think about anything at all. It sucks for people who meet him when he's in busy mode but I don't think he can be everything to everyone all of the time. He is human after all.

          I think TOP certainly a similar kind of distant personality sometimes in that usually he's quite reluctant to be goofy/funny all the time on camera in interviews. However behind the scenes (and even sometimes when a camera catches him being funny behind the scenes with close friends/co-workers) he can be really sweet/funny/not intimidating instead of being swaggery/cool/cold. Imo if GD and TOP are cold at times it might be b/c they don't open up
          easily or are just naturally guarded about who they let into his personal
          life/close circle of friends which is fair enough. Even if they're celebrities they should still be
          entitled to keep a little anonymity and again they're human. Humans have flaws and everyone has those little moments in life where they've ignored someone b/c they're preoccupied or just need to be alone or going through a stressful time.

          Anyway it's good to see GD has a professional attitude and manners. More proof that you shouldn't always judge a book by its cover.

      • Kimmy

        He says hes feels shy when he gets crowded by people not that he wants to be mean. Unless hes drunk of course lol

        • jj

          Didn't say he's mean. It's just his persona/look. I guess the right word is "intimidating" :)

          • Kimmy

            I didnt mean to say you said hes mean. Sorry if it came off that way lol. I was just piggybacking off your comment.

      • Jacqueline

        I get what you're saying, I get that all the time. It started from my father and it goes to just about everyone I meet. I don't smile much and when I work with people, i tend to come off very demanding and cold. When I'm around a large amount of people I tend to shy away in a corner depending on my surroundings. Yet, if I don't know you, don't expect me to smile at you and all that, I need to know you first. So I get exactly what you're saying.

    • Kimmy

      Its because he has an image of a badboy. Hes very charismatic and confident and he does what he wants. Hes definately a rebel in that sense but people mistaken it as cocky and bratty. Hes confident and firm in his words but hes still very humble and well- mannered.

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

        A BIG agree with you :)

      • http://twitter.com/Lav_CNBlue Lavender Camaro

        you RARELY see celebrities do a 90 degree bow... GD does no matter who he is bowing to... =D

    • linnunrata

      Based on my own observation (experience), I can say because "image" is everything in Korea!Very rigid either "good" or "bad"- it is the thing that determines how the public sees, views, takes you.If you have this good pretty image no matter what your personality is, you are the perfect role-model or idol. That's why, celebrities with a nice image suffer a lot when there is just a tiny little bit issue to tarnish their image. If you have this naughty badboy/ girl image, you deserve the worst when something bad happens to you since you are considered a challenge to the norms of the society.Unfortunately, although GD is one of the most humble, shy, respectful and so so WELL-MANNERED stars in the world, he is still portrayed as "cocky", " arrogant" and " badly behaving" because of the non-conformist bad boy image! Thanks to the supports of VIPs, we know he is "one of a kind" when it comes to kindness and politeness!

    • grape

      oh people, he is not a monster; he is one of a kind, fantastic baby..

    • http://twitter.com/Dglove1825 Dee ♔

      Most o fthem believe the saying "What you see is what you get".They judge people from what they see..(which is bad)People makes mistake and gd is not perfect or everyone of us is not perfect ..He may do bad things ( things that most people disagree about) but hes jjust being himself and for me thats important.. ( not like those other idols who's acting good and nice) Atleast we know that GD is not one of those fake people..

  • http://www.asianfanfics.com/profile/view/59721 GDonTOP

    GD is universally appealing. Things like this Paris trip only confirm it :)

  • Asako

    Most attractive is right. But even if he was "so-so", having charm and good manners are just good, attractive qualities to have in a man,...and in a person. That's why I'm always VIP for GD. ~~~wish I lived where he did though ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

  • Kimmy

    I love this article. So positive!

  • Youngdougiie

    Normally,fangirls would say "Oppa,I love you ! Marry me!" but to me I want GD (he's so amazing <3)or Bigbang as a teacher or whatever job so that I could work w/ them. It's crazy how talented GD is.I've been a fan of him for a long time but him& bigbang still makes my jaw drop everytime.

  • Lina

    I'M SO HAPPY ABOUT THIS
    :* )
    everyone better get their facts straight, GD is the most charming gentleman you will ever meet. <3 ^____^

  • a_lei_lei

    It's nice that even in the midst of Big Bang's busy schedules he's able to enjoy himself for a little while going to fashion shows and what not. He's such a busy body, always working for his fans, so he definitely deserved it!

  • Tasha

    year of the dragon everybody get ready.

  • http://twitter.com/emayeney Misa

    Ahh. I'm constantly amazed by him. After I graduate in 1 and a half years, I'll either be in the broadcasting or print media business and my DREAM is work with him at least once. Please <3

  • http://twitter.com/MaLa0910 mαry-αnnє

    I've always said it...GD gives off the best facial expressions that can range from an endless amount of variety.

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

    " he has an inborn talent for photo shoots. " yes, he's so natural and handsome !
    i really like what the editor said about him :)

  • linnunrata

    His Harper's Bazaar photos are so amazing, iconic. I'm glad he did one of his best shots with his lovely (unforgettable) pink hair..

    There are great lines and comments on GD in this article. Read it keeping in mind the lyrics of "One of A Kind" no doubt he fits so well to the editor's description: "He is not only a Hallyu star but a sensation."

  • keio

    Did GD have a plastic surgery before One of A Kind? His chin looks sharper and he looks somewhat different.

    • Tru3star

      naa, his face always look diff in regards to either gaining or loosing weight or his hair

    • sachia86

      I dont think so.. The effect of make up.. No way he did a plastic surgery in the midst of his busy schedule.. Gd is a chameleon.. He's always look diffrent in an awesome way

    • Kimmy

      His face has always been small. Its the same........ Are you new to big bang? O_O

      • http://twitter.com/Atenais_Pala Pollyana Coura

        Just because she saw something you didn't, she must be new? How snobby!

    • hee001

      I actually noticed this as well ever since the fukuoka concert. I think he got those filler injections but thats nothing it absorbs in 6months. And it actually made his small perfect face a lil longer!

      • http://twitter.com/Atenais_Pala Pollyana Coura

        I think the same.

      • ChubbyCat

        he's worked so hard and lost a lot of weight and you said that he did surgery??? He's still the same. It's just the effect of make up. Plastic surgery is bad for his health and it takes a lot of time to rest. He's the most busiest person in showbiz not like those other idol just sing and do cute pose =;

      • http://twitter.com/Atenais_Pala Pollyana Coura

        Actually I think the same.

    • Jacqueline

      The way you hold your head, the angles just as you would if you were modeling can make your face look a certain way. He sings and opens his mouth a lot really wide, that can change his face over time. Getting older, taller, working out and being slimmer. All sorts of things.

  • Truedream1988

    positive Word ~<3

  • SanaSweetko

    G-Dragon is amazing.I love him,he means so much to me.He's my idol and inspiration.He's a teacher and an amazing person.I honestly just want to be his friend,I want the chance to talk to him.His mindset about everything seems so positive and beautiful.I have a lot of feels for him,but it isnt like my other idols that i like in kpop.He's just amazing~~ "i'm evil also valuable get out" and the editor was right; he's a sensation.♥

  • DragonFly87

    What's new?! He's "one of a kind" after all. He can't help but be popular!!! Kekekeke ;)

  • http://twitter.com/sayha0909 seha

    in other words...he has his own aura...which makes people feel sumthing when they get near to him...:))

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

    "No one can sell Bazaar as fast as G-Dragon. And no one can set all editors buzzing. Many fashion houses in Paris are thinking of sending him love calls. This is the tremendous G-Dragon effect! He is not only a Hallyu star but a sensation."

    -THIS

  • LaLa♥Love

    "I think it was worth doing it since he's the most attractive celebrity in Korea." Yeah, he is. :) Are the photos for this shoot released?

  • http://twitter.com/jjwun Julia H.

    my heart SO FULL AND PROUD of our big boy GD. bigbang are truly the most idolized celebrities. <3

  • http://twitter.com/cLacLa1991 Clarissa Limbaga

    GD rockz!!! really one of a kind!

  • lina lai

    i like this editor coment GD is really talented man

  • sachia86

    Thank you for this heart warming editor's comment.. Gd is indeed a star shining everywhere he goes.. We are lucky he's willing to share his passion with us.. thank you for being born JiYong

  • http://www.facebook.com/misabelhcirado Maria Isabel Huertas Criado

    OMG As a fashion designer I REALLY got the concept of photos producing and one thing GD has is a special care for PHOTOSHOOTS AND FASHION EVEN THOUGH E WILL NEVER admitt it, he do love it! and as street icon he is as for Yohji Junya is understandable that they dollow him, as am arketing view GD is the perfect catch for attention: he's hot, hes popular and he's in the move
    Personally I love BIG BANG first as a matter of fashion their style is UNIQUE compared to other k pop bands AND IS SOMRTHING THAT IM ROUD TO WORK WITH

  • fang_1205

    1 word wow!!!! amazing1 outrageous! one of a kind !

  • http://twitter.com/MBKTHRN @MBKTHRN

    gd¡¡¡ cuteeeeeeee really ¡¡great personn¡¡

  • claymaryel

    I just love this article ^___^
    GD is not only a Hallyu star but a sensation.
    SOLD out in 3 days O__O No one can sell Bazaar as fast as G-Dragon *___* awwww G-dragon you're one of a kind !!

  • myTOPsecret

    favorite lines::

    "No one can sell Bazaar as fast as G-Dragon. And no one can set all
    editors buzzing. Many fashion houses in Paris are thinking of sending
    him love calls. This is the tremendous G-Dragon effect! He is not only a
    Hallyu star but a sensation."

  • ahempoot

    =(~~~ in in tears.. AWwie.. finally someone said exactly what I have always wanted to say, but couldn't express it this as well. Finally, someone see the Great in GD and how amazing he really is. Love love love this article. Thank you ROna!!!!! you're my girl!

  • http://twitter.com/Kaileeru ｋａｉです♡

    "The next day at the studio, Givenchy's new collection fitted him very well and he impressed everyone with his skills. If you saw the video on Youtube, you would know that he has an inborn talent for photo shoots."
    Loved this ♥ one of the things I love the most from GD is the way he acts in front of a camera. He has so much charisma & creativity. He's truly an inspiration for me.

  • http://twitter.com/Lav_CNBlue Lavender Camaro

    the charm, grace and well-mannered GD. =D

  • thislove

    LOVE HIM! people meet him expecting him to be a certain way, but he is genuinely a well-mannered and awesome guy :)

  • http://twitter.com/AisaMaganda Aisa Magaña

    Yessir, he's one of a kind (:

  • http://paramithaudita.tumblr.com/ Desy Paramitha Audita

    "He is not only a Hallyu star but a sensation."
    so damn agree~!! >.<

  • Miswoody

    *heart swells with pride*
    That's our kwon-leader for y'all! <3

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

    what do you mean... u expected him to be bad? that too after a much long awaited chasing and waiting.. u expected him to be bad?? that line was very offensive... and outta line!

  • nogardg

    it always bring a smile in my face whenever something is posted abt him .he is the most gorgeous person in this world and i love the way he does things in his own way.nomatter what ppl says abt him u will always be the most respectful person 4 me.JI yong just be yourself coz u are precious for us for being the one who u are now.love you........

  • Jitaeri

    GD is definitely not a bad boy (unless he wants to be on stage or in MVs) He's only a "bad boy" in the fact that he's one of a kind and unwilling to conform.

    I totally understand the "cold" appearance people are saying about T.O.P and GD. It's hard to find a word that describes it since it's not really being "cold"/intimidating, I think the more fitting term is distant or reserved.

    I was thinking about this as I was watching BB@ A Nation concert. TOP was not goofy-choom-TOP that we've seen before. Of course, it could be because of filming and all that, but I've come to realize that in live performances we get one of either two things: Choom-choom-bingu TOP or distant- quiet-reserved TOP. You never know which one you'll get.

  • http://twitter.com/YinPestano Cindy Pestaño

    From another translation I read, it says, the editor think that with GD's appearance, abilities and talents, he/she thinks that GD has the right/deserves to be bad, but was nonetheless wrong because GD is really kind and well mannered. :) I'm pretty sure GD knows that he can't please everybody but he can change their views about him especially when they get to meet him and know his real personality. <3

    I'm not really surprised that the issue was sold out. It's GD afterall. ;) Now, please release your album! Hihi <3 :*

  • VIPKATE

    just WOW!!! i super missed GD's pink hair..

  • PANDA_EYES

    G-Dragon, the one who lives up to people's high expectation with a very well-mannered attitude. From music to fashion, he's a unique, one of a kind sensation...:)

  • http://bigbangand2ne1.tumblr.com/ AYE♥BB4EVR♛♛♛♛♛

    yup! that's the TREMENDOUS G-DRAGON EFFECT, and i've been affected by it since i saw him!! waaaah! OMGD~!!! *salutes him*

    i love this article!! ^.^

  • http://tamaraaa.tumblr.com/ Tamara Tran

    G-Dragon - the ultimate k-pop image to the world. And forever representing Korea in the most positive and well-mannered way possible! That's our leader for yah!

  • http://twitter.com/jepah89 J.E.P.A.H

    Uuuuuu~ seriously i got goosebumps reading this..anyway it's Gd that we're talking about..

  • BESTBB

    Love the editors comments! It's so awesome that our jiyong is so popular even in Europe and that top magazines are willing to go through so much trouble for him :) he deserves it!

  • Miss Dea

    GD will release his new single on 010912!

    • Visindahouse

      really???

      • Miss Dea

        Yup!! Checkout on YG website ;)

  • aa_riley

    I am happy that other artists have now found out that GD is a truly good/respectful/well-mannered man.Maybe because he is a super talented, in-demand superstar and his style is somewhat unconventional/rebellious,,many think of him as a snob and boastful man...But i am happy because bit by bit,,artists from other fields are able to know the real kind-hearted GD!, I hope that he'll be able to catch more hearts of famous and common people along his carreer...

  • tiararogue

    and the dragon's charms has captured yet another one..welcome to the club mr/ms editor.

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

    2012 is G-Dragon's year!!!! I will support you no matter what baby <3

  • BIGBANGGD:)

    Did anyone else heard of GD's new single and MV coming out on September 1st?? I just found out about it on Singapore's Yahoo korean wave homepage^^^^^ I CANT WAIT!!!! :):):):)*jumping around*

  • ifonly

    That's how big he is. G dragon is a CELEBRITY.

  • http://twitter.com/nicolasantilli Nicola Santilli

    Brb, sending GD a love call.

  • http://twitter.com/yayaway yaya shaqeera

    "No one can sell Bazaar as fast as G-Dragon. And no one can set all editors buzzing."-As expected ♥♡♥

  • VipvIpviP

    truly ONE OF A KIND

  • HIDAYAH SABERI

    why everyone thinks GD is bad?

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

    He was full of charm.
    He is not only a Hallyu star but a sensation. , This word . <3 GD !!!!!!!!

  • jhing

    i'M HAVING GOOSEBUMPS!!!! I'm actually teary-eyed while reading this. So happy for Jiyong.
    He's really really really a wonderful person, very well-mannered. Those who knows him, loves him surely knows that other side of GD~very shy, humble, gentle and caring! I have never ever seen him act like a snob diva. I've never seen anybody like him who always give a full 90deg bow! With GD, you'll see that all the time....

  • choomtop22

    That's the GD that we know..:) well mannered and caring..:)

  • http://www.facebook.com/Gen.Loves.HeinzDoofenshmirtz.account2 Genevieve A. Poso

    i love you GD!!!! finding u and Big Bang is one of the best thing that has ever happened to me. :D :')

  • hananmz

    Tts Gd ...pls don t change...

  • DynamiteVIP

    love him much.... 3

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

    OUR GD NEVER LET US DOWN
    we knew u cud do it, GD!
    Mark my words,
    THOSE who nver knew u got faced the biGGest loss in their life!!
    THUMBS UP FOR YOU!
    WE VIPS VRY PROUD OF YA KWON LEADAH!
    keep it uP! ᕦ(ò_óˇ)ᕤ

  • mizskullzzz

    absolutely agree dat GD is not only a hallyu star but a sensation...
    he will create a buzz wherever he goes...

  • http://twitter.com/JonasLikeABoss DEAD.

    Kwon Jiyong is my pride.

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

    I understand when she says she expected him to be bad I mean I don't but a lot of people think famous people are fakes I used to think that, they put there kindness on for a show but I think from this and if you actually watch BigBang that it is true, just cause your famous doesn't mean your not a nice person.

  • jungjiyoo

    NEXT TIME TRY GD&TOP HARPER... and you'll what "sold out" really means.

  • http://twitter.com/glyn_n muggledore

    "GD...a sensation"...
    Gosh!!! I feel like my (future and imaginary) son just showed me his report card with an A+ grade!!!
    #PROUD

  • LOVE_GD_IWA

    teary eyed upon reading this! hmmmn...so proud of GD!

  • https://twitter.com/haiosh97 haiosh

    well GD is the king !! so proud of him !:))

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Crystal-S-Harrison/100000612957416 Crystal S. Harrison

    yet when all these people still saying crap about him he still remains humble and well mannered , he won't cruse them out or anthing like that , someone like emimen will cruse them out with out a problem, but that just shoes that even though and i know for sure he gets mad about what ppl say about but it clearly shows he knows how to control it . also on top of that like he has so many ppl prasing him and stuff and on "Night after Night" he claims that he a over rated artists like you will never hear anything like that come out of any other celebrities mouth you might hear a few would say that but like this dude is awesome and that is also why im a big fan of aaliyah( even though she has nothing to do with him) and i look up to her because she was so humble and polite ( love ppl like that) and i'm clearly sure all the memebers of yg are very humble anyway , why would they be. GD is clearly the right way a celebrity should be. most of these celebrities get to big headed and snobbish *yuck* *puke* and it's not cute , even if they do have a lot to do and they get stressed out and don't want to talk to anyone , some of them are just as that "cocky". i pray i hope i don't get like that when i share my talents with the world , because i am defiantly not that kind of person and nor do i like to hang with ppl with that kind of additude because if werent for your fans you will not be where you are now , so you should give your fans some credit , and also God for helping maintain your streaght and not losing your mind when things get tough , also you should thank parents the most , because they are the ones that brought you in this earth , i know i don't thank my mom like soppose to but i highly love her for being there 4 me and supporting in everything i do , there is nothing like the type of love you get form your parents. I thank that editor though he or she did a good job, GD stay humble and cute :)

  • quen mon

    i so love this news!!! OMG!

  • http://www.youtube.com/user/Rockaway98?feature=mhee B.Happiness/Rockaway98

    =)