Former Big Bang member T.O.P is making a comeback as a singer. Having first returned as an actor after previously hinting at retirement, attention is now focused on whether he can win back public favor with a “return to his roots” alongside an impressive roster of collaborators.
T.O.P will release his first full-length album, “Another Dimension,” featuring 11 tracks, at 6 PM on the 3rd, marking his new beginning as a solo artist.
This marks T.O.P’s first full album in 20 years since his debut with Big Bang in 2006. He participated in the overall production, offering a deep dive into his musical world.
The album boasts a remarkable collaboration team. Grammy Award-winning engineer IRKO, known for working with global pop icons like Kanye West and The Weeknd, took charge of the sound design and mixing for all tracks. The album also incorporates Dolby Atmos mixing for top-notch immersive sound.
The album cover was created by legendary American artist Ed Ruscha, a living master painter and layout artist. Chae Kyung-sun, the art director for Netflix’s “Squid Game,” oversaw the album’s overall design and music video art direction.
Cinematographer Kim Ji-yong, known for his unique visuals in “Squid Game 2” and the film “Decision to Leave,” helmed the music video. Actress Nana, a former member of After School, is set to appear in the new music video, generating buzz.
Despite the impressive team supporting the album, public opinion remains divided over T.O.P’s comeback. In 2016, he was sentenced to a 10-month prison term, suspended for two years, for marijuana use, drawing more criticism than support at the time.
The incident led to T.O.P’s departure from Big Bang and an effective halt to his activities. During this period, he engaged in heated exchanges with netizens on social media, stating he had no plans to return and hinting at retirement. However, in December 2024, he made a sudden comeback as an actor in “Squid Game 2” despite those earlier remarks.
His return drew harsh reactions, fueling further criticism. In an interview related to “Squid Game 2,” T.O.P stated he had caused significant harm to Big Bang and his former agency, ruling out the possibility of rejoining the group.
Nevertheless, Big Bang members continue to support T.O.P. Both G-Dragon and Taeyang liked posts related to T.O.P’s comeback. G-Dragon, known for frequently engaging with social media posts, and the usually inactive Taeyang both liked the posts, indirectly showing their support.
As T.O.P releases his first full album in 20 years and returns with a star-studded collaboration team, the question remains whether he can win back the general public’s support, building on the continued encouragement from his former bandmates.
