In the program "T.O. P Japan fanmeeting 2026 -re:union-" exclusively broadcast on TV Asahi Channel 1 on September 12, T.O. P (Choi Seung Hyun) shared about his current career orientation and relationship with BigBang.
When asked about BigBang restarting their world tour after 9 years, T.O.P said that he would not accompany the members on this journey and would choose to focus on his own career. However, T.O.P affirmed that he still supports the members as well as BigBang's music.
From now on, I will operate as a solo artist. Although I cannot accompany the members in the group, I will always support and cheer for their activities as well as their music," the former BigBang member shared.
BigBang is currently operating with a 3-member lineup including G-Dragon, Taeyang and Daesung. From August, the group started the world tour "", marking their return to the world tour after 9 years. The tour is part of the group's 20th anniversary of debut.
Also at the fan meeting, T.O. P read a letter to fans and reiterated the promise he made 10 years ago. At that time, the male singer said that if there is a separation, there will be a day of reunion and he will definitely return.
Looking back at his absence, T.O. P said that there were times when he felt free to live as a normal person instead of an artist. But along with that was a feeling of loneliness and emptiness. During this time, he still maintained making music and saw this as a way to continue to fulfill his promise to fans.
T.O. P believes that the past 10 years have also been a time for him to look back at himself. Leaving the stage helps the male rapper more clearly recognize the affection that the audience has for him.
The male singer especially thanked those who are still following and waiting for him. He said that support has given him more motivation to return to the public.
At the end of the letter, T.O. P said he did not want to call the meeting with fans a "reunion". The male rapper hopes that from now on there will be no longer prolonged distances between him and the audience.
T.O. P's career was interrupted after the marijuana-related incident in 2017. The male rapper then received a suspended sentence and temporarily suspended his activities for a period of time. After completing his military service, T.O. P gradually returned to art projects. In 2022, he left YG Entertainment and confirmed leaving BigBang, and said he wanted to focus on personal activities.
In April 2026, the former BigBang member released his solo album "Another Dimension" including 11 songs, with two title tracks "Studio54" and "Desperado". This is T.O. P's first solo studio album, and also his first long music product after "Doom Dada" in 2013.
Besides music, T.O. P returned to acting with the role of Thanos in "Squid Game 2". These activities mark the stage when the male singer continues to develop his own career after leaving BigBang.
