BIGBANG’s G-Dragon has sparked heated discussions online due to his recent social media interactions with female idols, drawing criticism from some girl group fans. The backlash centers on his Instagram activity, which many fans believe has repeatedly fueled rumors and unfairly impacted the female idols involved.
Why Fans Are Upset
A recent post on an online community board, which gained over 120,000 views, highlighted the frustration of some girl group fans. They pointed to a pattern in G-Dragon’s social media behavior involving female idols.
One incident involved G-Dragon using a sticker of IVE’s Jang Wonyoung in an Instagram story. This led to dating rumors, which were later debunked by MiuMiu, the brand Jang Wonyoung represents. G-Dragon did not comment on the issue, leaving fans to speculate.
Another case saw G-Dragon liking and following aespa’s Karina on Instagram. His actions drew significant attention, with fans questioning the intent behind them.
Most recently, G-Dragon tagged TWICE’s Sana in a now-deleted Instagram story while attending Coldplay’s Seoul concert on April 22, 2025, where TWICE performed as an opening act. He included a shocked emoji and the word “e?”, which many interpreted as a personal gesture. The story was quickly removed, but screenshots spread rapidly online.
These incidents have led to a wave of rumors, including dating speculations, which fans argue disproportionately affect the female idols. Many expressed frustration that G-Dragon’s actions, intentional or not, have caused unwanted scrutiny for Jang Wonyoung, Karina, and Sana.
“He posts something, rumors start, and the girl idols get all the hate. It’s always the same pattern.” “Why does he keep doing this? It’s unfair to the female idols who end up dealing with the fallout.” “Every time he interacts with a girl group member, it blows up, and they suffer the most.” Netizens on Instiz, April 25, 2025
Defending G-Dragon
Not all reactions were negative. Many netizens and fans defended G-Dragon, arguing that the backlash was overblown. They pointed out that his social media habits are not exclusive to female idols and reflect his casual, widespread engagement online.
Some noted that G-Dragon is known for liking a variety of posts, including those from non-celebrities. They suggested his actions were harmless and part of his active Instagram presence.
“Just don’t care so much about him pressing like on Instagram.” “So celebrities can’t even press like anymore? Such a tiring job…” “If you search his name, he presses like even on normal people’s posts.” “He’s famous for pressing like everywhere. Nothing to be so concerned about.” “I feel like people are purposefully trying to make him get hate…” Netizens on Instiz, April 25, 2025
Fans on X also came to his defense, emphasizing that idols should be free to interact without facing scrutiny. They highlighted G-Dragon’s long history of casual interactions with TWICE and other artists.
“People will be the first ones to say let idols be friends, let idols date, but are the first ones to dog pile on one idol tagging another. So embarrassing.” “These idols are colleagues and have interacted w/ each other during their long-ass careers. Twice was on ZIP DAESUNG, GD has been casually interacting w/ them since 2017?? No one needs protecting.” “I need ONCEs to leave PEOPLE ALONE AND LET ARTIST INTERACT. If they befriended problematic people, it’s on the artist already.” Fans on X, April 23, 2025
The Context of the Coldplay Concert
The most recent controversy arose from G-Dragon’s attendance at Coldplay’s Seoul concert. TWICE performed as the opening act, and Sana was active on social media, sharing her experience. G-Dragon’s decision to tag only Sana in his story, rather than the entire group, fueled speculation about their relationship.
Some fans argued that the tag was a friendly gesture, given G-Dragon’s history of supporting fellow artists. Others felt it was inappropriate, as it singled out Sana and led to unwarranted rumors.
G-Dragon’s Social Media Habits
G-Dragon is known for his active and often spontaneous social media presence. He frequently likes posts from a wide range of accounts, including fans, brands, and other celebrities. This habit has been both praised for its authenticity and criticized for causing misunderstandings.
In the past, G-Dragon has faced similar controversies. For example, in 2019, his Instagram activity was scrutinized after liking posts related to former BIGBANG member Seungri, who left the group amid the Burning Sun scandal. More recently, in March 2025, he liked a post that excluded Seungri from a BIGBANG meme, which fans interpreted as a statement on the group’s current lineup.
Impact on Female Idols
The recurring issue, according to critics, is the unequal fallout from these incidents. Female idols like Jang Wonyoung, Karina, and Sana often face intense public scrutiny and hate comments following G-Dragon’s interactions. Fans argue that his silence during these controversies leaves the female idols to deal with the consequences alone.
For instance, after the Jang Wonyoung sticker incident, MiuMiu had to publicly deny dating rumors, while G-Dragon remained silent. Similarly, Karina and Sana faced increased attention and speculation without any clarification from G-Dragon.
BIGBANG’s Current Status
BIGBANG, now consisting of G-Dragon, Taeyang, and Daesung, remains one of K-pop’s most influential groups. The trio made a surprise reunion performance at the 2024 MAMA Awards in Osaka, marking their first live stage since 2017. They performed G-Dragon’s solo track Home Sweet Home, alongside classics Bang Bang Bang and Fantastic Baby.
Despite their legacy, BIGBANG has faced challenges, including Seungri’s departure in 2019 due to the Burning Sun scandal and T.O.P’s exit in 2023 following a drug scandal. G-Dragon also faced a drug-related investigation in 2023, but charges were dropped due to insufficient evidence.
Public and Fan Reactions
The controversy has divided fans and netizens. Some believe G-Dragon should be more cautious, given his influence and the potential impact on others. Others argue that the backlash reflects an overreaction to normal social media behavior.
On X, fans expressed frustration with the criticism, calling it an attack on G-Dragon’s freedom to interact. One user wrote:
“I thought it’s literally a small thing but they made it so huge to calling GD creepy for tagging his female friend in social media, literally he was supporting. Kpop is fxked up.” @Cak_3y2019 on X, April 25, 2025
Another user pointed out the selective outrage:
“The core issue is taking GD’s IG likes seriously. He has liked countless problematic posts including numerous ot5 posts. The main issue is VIPs give meaning to everything he does…that’s dumb.” @Rai__Epic on X, April 20, 2025
G-Dragon’s Recent Activities
G-Dragon has been active in his solo career. He released his album Übermensch on February 25, 2025, which has been well-received. His single Home Sweet Home is currently dominating charts in South Korea, with older BIGBANG tracks also seeing a resurgence.
G-Dragon was also appointed as a visiting professor at KAIST’s Department of Mechanical Engineering in June 2024, following his participation in the Innovate Korea 2024 talk show. He continues to influence fashion, music, and pop culture, maintaining his status as a trendsetter.
Ongoing Discussions
The debate over G-Dragon’s social media activity shows no signs of slowing down. While some fans call for greater accountability, others urge the public to respect his interactions as part of his personal expression. The controversy highlights the challenges idols face in navigating public perception in the digital age.
As of April 25, 2025, G-Dragon has not publicly addressed the backlash. His focus remains on his music and upcoming projects, with fans eagerly awaiting any new developments from him and BIGBANG.
