While internationally, BigBang is often referred to as a “K-pop” group, T.O.P has expressed distaste with the label noting how “you don’t divide pop music by who’s doing it. We don’t say, for instance, ‘white pop’ when white people make music.” ] He also notes how his role as a musician influenced his acting to be more emotional. Both his solo releases – “Turn It Up” and “Doom Dada” – are hip hop influenced, with the latter drawing critical acclaim for its “lyrical rhythms that are both inviting and alienating” from Dazed magazine, that declared T.O.P was leading the evolution of K-Pop. Adrienne Stanley of Kpop Starz also praised the rapper for his “speed and accuracy” when delivering bars. After release, his acting was criticized by those in South Korea, particularly that his vocal and facial performance was out of place, with the quality of his rap having mixed reception. The casting of mcw T.O.P received controversy in South Korea, and his face was blurred on the Korean morning show Live This Morning when airing a segment about the series.
As a solo rapper, he has released two digital singles, “Turn It Up” (2010) and “Doom Dada” (2013), that have peaked at number two and four, respectively, on the Gaon Digital Chart. On March 20, 2026, he announced his comeback through his social media and his agency, TOPSPOT PICTURES, released his first full-length album, Another Dimension on various online music sites on April 3. On January 1, 2026, T.O.P announced that he will release his first solo album Another Dimension. Despite being a rapper, he sang on the single “Hi Haruka” as part of the drama’s soundtrack.
2006: Career beginnings and debut with BigBang
He also recorded the song “Hallelujah” for the drama’s soundtrack with Taeyang and G-Dragon. He became the first member of BigBang to venture into acting, starring in the KBS2 drama I Am Sam, portraying the school’s top fighter, Chae Musin. Later that summer, he appeared as an actor in Red Roc’s “Hello” music video. In April 2007, he was featured with fellow BigBang members Taeyang and G-Dragon on singer Lexy’s single “Super Fly” for her album Rush. The group achieved mainstream success with the release of the song “Lies” (거짓말; Geojitmal) from the extended play Always (2007), which topped several charts upon its release.
T.O.P made his acting debut in 2007 through the TV series I Am Sam (2007), followed by Iris (2009) and the TV movie Nineteen (2009). In 2010, while the group was on hiatus, T.O.P and G-Dragon collaborated to release the album, GD & TOP. The auction saw a sale of more than HK$ 135 millionunreliable source? T.O.P and BigBang have been praised for their individuality and ability to fuse a pop sound with rap, R&B and dance elements. On March 17, 2026, T.O.P announced his second single titled “Desperado”.
2019: Military service, personal and legal issues with marijuana usage
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- The following year, T.O.P. portrayed the assassin Vick in the critically acclaimed Korean television drama Iris (2009).
- } Later that year, he starred in CJ E&M’s web drama The Secret Message alongside Japanese actress Juri Ueno.
- He also believed that his character may prove popular with younger viewers in Korea.
- He would later announce on February 12 that the lead single will be entitled “Studio 54”.
- In 2010, while the group was on hiatus, T.O.P and G-Dragon collaborated to release the album, GD & TOP.
- Following Iris, T.O.P. starred in the suspense film 19-Nineteen along with fellow member Seungri.
