Taeyang
Taeyang | |
---|---|
동영배 | |
![]() Taeyang in 2012 | |
Born | Dong Young-bae May 18, 1988 |
Other names | Sol, Taeyang |
Occupations | |
Musical career | |
Genres | |
Instruments | |
Years active | 2008–present |
Labels |
|
Website | ygbigbang |
Korean name | |
Hangul | 동영배 |
---|---|
Hanja | 董永培 |
Revised Romanization | Dong Yeong-bae |
McCune–Reischauer | Tong Yŏngbae |
Stage name | |
Hangul | 태양 |
Hanja | 太陽 |
Revised Romanization | Taeyang |
McCune–Reischauer | T'aeyang |
Dong Young-bae (Hangul: 동영배, born 18 May 1988),[1] better known by his stage name Taeyang (meaning Sun) or Sol, is a South Korean singer-songwriter. After appearing in Jinusean's music video "A-yo", Taeyang began training under YG Entertainment at the age of 12. After six years of training, he made his debut in 2006 as a member of the South Korean boy band Big Bang. His second studio album Rise peaked at #112 on the US Billboard 200 Chart, becoming the highest ranking album by a Korean soloist to enter the chart.[2][3] The album's title track "Eyes, Nose, Lips" peaked at #1 on Billboard K-pop Hot 100 Chart, giving him his first solo number one single on that chart.[2][3]
Early life
Taeyang was born on May 18, 1988 in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi-do. He has an older brother, Dong Hyun-bae.[citation needed]
Career
2000–08: Early beginnings and debut with Big Bang
Taeyang was a child actor starting in 5th grade. He was recruited to play the part of mini Sean with Maddie in JinuSean’s music video "A-yo".[4] The collaboration eventually lead him to successfully auditioning into the group's record label YG Entertainment, where he met fellow trainee G-Dragon and former trainee Jun. K. G-dragon and he were later coined as GDYB.[5] In 2003, Taeyang provided the rap verse in singer Wheesung’s single "Player" on the latter's second album.[6]
Although Taeyang 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. The group's formation was documented on television as a documentary.[7] Before their official debut, however, Hyun Seung was dropped and their final lineup consisted of five members. Choosing the stage-name Taeyang (meaning sun), Taeyang abandoned the idea of rapping to focus on singing.[8] Their first album, Since 2007, was a fair success,[9] and included Taeyang's first solo song "Ma Girl." The group achieved mainstream success with the release of the song "Lies" from their 2007 mini-album Always, which topped several charts upon its release. The singles, "Last Farewell" from the mini-album Hot Issue and "Day by Day" from Stand Up, became chart-toppers as well.[10][11]
2008: The beginning of solo career
After contributing to singer Lexy'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.[8] Taeyang released his debut mini-album Hot on 22 May 2008, backed by a production team that included 1TYM's Teddy Park, Yang Hyun Suk, Kush, and his fellow member G-Dragon.[nb 1] 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".[8] 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 fully express and incorporate his thoughts and ideas into his music.[8]
The first single released was "Only Look At Me" (Korean: 나만 바라봐), an R&B song written by Teddy and Kush.[12] He had won critical acclaim for the song. 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.[13] 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.[14] Taeyang is the first "Idol group" or boy band member to receive such awards.
2009-10: Group activities & Solar
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 Big Bang's activities have ended, he went back to the studio to prepare for his next solo activities. Taeyang released his first digital single "Where U At",[15] 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.[16]
Taeyang's first full-length album Solar was released on 1 July 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 had 13 songs, including "Only Look At Me" and "Prayer" from Hot. On the first day Taeyang's solo album "Solar" released, July 1, deluxe edition of the album had sold out its 30,000 circulated copies.[17] The album was later released on iTunes,[18] charting at the number-two spot on the iTunes' Top R&B-Soul albums chart in the United States and number-one in Canada's, making him the first Asian musician to do so.[19] Two singles were released for promotions: "I Need A Girl", and "I'll Be There." At the end of 2010, I Need A Girl (4 Weeks) I'll Be There (1 Weeks) Only Look At Me (3 Weeks) Korean Song Music Chart's Win. Taeyang won the "Best Male Artist" award at the 2010 Mnet Asian Music Awards at the end of the year and the Seoul Music Awards Best Male Artist award.
2011-12: Continue on group activities
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/10/Taeyang_2012.jpg/220px-Taeyang_2012.jpg)
During 2011, Big Bang halted their activities following the release of their Tonight EP because of Daesung's car accident & G-Dragon's marijuana accident. He attended 2011 MTV EMAs with his group Big Bang, which they won the category for Best Worldwide Act.[20]
2013-14: Rise
Taeyang's new single "Ringa Linga" was released on 9 November 2013. Taeyang ranked #33 in The Critic's List of "100 Most Handsome Faces of 2013". On the 17 May 2014, YG announced that Taeyang's new album will be released on 2 June 2014 with the possible title, 'Rise'.[21] After 'Rise' was released on 2 June, it achieved an "All-Kill" in Korea (#1 on all charts) and was #1 on the iTunes Album Chart in 10 countries (top 50 in 21 countries). At its peak, 'Rise' was #1 on iTunes R&B/SOUL Album Chart in 19 countries to include USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Russia, Hong Kong, and Denmark (top 50 in 25 countries). Rise became the third highest charting K-pop album, and also the highest charting K-pop album by a solo artist, on Billboard by debuting at #112 on Billboard Hot 200, #1 on Billboard World Albums Chart, and #1 on Heatseekers Albums Chart.[22] Taeyang won the "Best Male Artist" , "Song of the Year" and "Best Vocal Performance - Male" (both for Eyes,Nose,Lip) award at the 2014 Mnet Asian Music Awards.
2015-present: Group's comeback
He participated in the Infinite Challenge music contest , with G-Dragon. The duet teamed up with ZE:A's Hwang Kwanghee. During Show Me The Money 4, Taeyang appeared and featured in Winner's Song Minho song 'Fear', composed by Zico during the semi final round. Taeyang ranked #24 in The Critic's List of "100 Most Handsome Faces of 2015".
Personal life
Taeyang attended Seoul Korean Traditional Art High School and Daejin University in Theater & Film.
He is a devoted Christian with multiple faith-inspired tattoos on his back and ribs of a Christian Cross.[23]
It was confirmed on June 2, 2015 that Taeyang has been dating actress Min Hyo-rin for two years.[24] The couple first met while filming the music video for "1AM" in 2013.[25]
Discography
Studio albums
Solo Concert Tours
- "HOT Concert Series" (2008)
- "Solar Concert Series" (2010)
- "Fan Meeting Tour" (2013) (With G-Dragon and Seungri)
- "Rise World Tour" (2015)
Awards and nominations
Notes
- ^ According to the credits on the album's jacket.
References
- ^ Mark Russell (29 April 2014). K-Pop Now!: The Korean Music Revolution. Tuttle Publishing. p. 34. ISBN 978-1-4629-1411-1.
- ^ a b "K-Pop Star Taeyang Hits Billboard 200". Billboard. 12 June 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
- ^ a b "TAEYANG IS RANKED 112TH ON BILLBOARD 200 CHART… HIGHEST-EVER RECORD FOR KOREAN MALE SINGER". YG LIFE. 13 June 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
- ^ '준비된 그룹' 빅뱅, 대폭발 예고 (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Retrieved 15 January 2010.
- ^ '태양'이 누구인가요? (in Korean). Nate. 30 July 2008. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
- ^ "Big Bang Profile". KBS World. 13 June 2008. Retrieved 15 January 2010.
- ^ a b c d 동영배를 들어라, 빅뱅 '태양' (in Korean). Nate. 13 June 2008. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
- ^ "Album Sales For The Month of February 2007". Industry Association Of Korea (in Korean). Archived from the original on 21 December 2007. Retrieved 15 February 2008.
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(help) - ^ "Big Bang's 'Day by Day' Sweeps J-Pop Charts for Four Weeks". KBS Global. 8 September 2008.
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(help) - ^ "빅뱅 태양, 'HOT'로 솔로 데뷔 코앞" (in Korean). JK News. 16 May 2008. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
- ^ Han, Sang-hee (17 July 2008). "Big Bang Members Branch Out as Soloists". JK News. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
- ^ Oh, Mi (12 March 2009). "Taeyang of Big Bang Wins Double Prizes from the Korean Music Awards" (in Korean). CBS. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
- ^ Ryu, Seung-yoon (30 March 2010). "Big Bang members to continue solo career". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 7 December 2009.
- ^ "Tae-yang Climbs in the Dutch Music Chart". KBS World. 2 December 2009. Retrieved 26 December 2009.
- ^ "Taeyang's Solo Album Sold Out Instantaneously". KBS World. 2 July 2010. Retrieved 10 July 2010.
- ^ "Solar Flare Up: Big Bang's Taeyang's Shines Bright on Brand New 'International' Release". DFSB Kollective. 25 August 2010. Retrieved 25 August 2010.
- ^ Mun, Wanski (26 August 2010). 태양, 캐나다-미국-일본 아이튠즈 차트 '톱5' (in Korean). Nate. Retrieved 26 August 2010.
- ^ "Big Bang Wins the "World Wide Act" Award at MTV European Music Awards". Soompi. Retrieved 6 November 2011.
- ^ "[Album Review] Taeyang - 'Rise'". allkpop. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
- ^ "K-Pop Star Taeyang Hits Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
- ^ "11 Sexy Male Idols with Sexier Tattoos". All Kpop. 11 August 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
- ^ Yoon, Sarah (2 June 2015). "Big Bang's Taeyang dating actress Min Hyo-rin". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 6 June 2015.
- ^ "Idol singer Taeyang dating actress Min Hyo-rin". The Korea Times. 3 June 2015. Retrieved 6 June 2015.
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- 1988 births
- Living people
- Big Bang (South Korean band) members
- Daejin University alumni
- Running Man (TV series) contestants
- South Korean male dancers
- South Korean hip hop singers
- South Korean idols
- South Korean male singers
- South Korean pop singers
- South Korean male television actors
- YG Entertainment artists
- South Korean Christians
- Mnet Asian Music Award winners