G-Dragon’s recent performance at Daesung’s show has stirred a range of reactions, with some praising his efforts and others questioning his vocal abilities. The BIGBANG star’s live vocals, particularly for his solo track Power, have sparked debates online, reigniting discussions from earlier criticisms at his 2025 solo concert.
Performance at Daesung’s Show
On April 27, 2025, G-Dragon joined his BIGBANG bandmate Daesung for a special appearance at Daesung’s concert in South Korea. He performed his solo single Power, released on October 31, 2024, and collaborated with Daesung and Taeyang on several BIGBANG tracks. The event marked a significant moment for fans, as it brought together three members of the iconic K-pop group. Videos of G-Dragon’s performance quickly spread across platforms like X and TheQoo, drawing thousands of views and comments.
Fans in attendance shared clips highlighting G-Dragon’s energy and stage presence. One user on X posted a video, noting his “fire” outfit and improved vocals compared to past performances. However, not all reactions were positive, with some netizens pointing out perceived flaws in his live singing.
“never in my life have i doubted GD’s performance. once again, he proves wrong all the assumptions made by keyboard warriors a month ago..his live vocals were amazing at dae’s concert! and his outfit was absolutely fire!!!”
“Some online korean troll was trying to question his live singing & performing skill a few days ago so he had to comeback & show them how it’s done.”
Past Criticism Resurfaces
The mixed reactions come on the heels of earlier backlash from G-Dragon’s Übermensch solo concert on March 29, 2025, at Goyang Stadium. Clips from that event, particularly of his performance of Crooked, went viral for the wrong reasons. Many netizens criticized his vocals, describing them as “off-key” or “strained.” Some even mocked his stage presence, with comments comparing his singing to a “drunk mess.” A post on TheQoo about the concert garnered over 55,000 views, with thousands of comments reflecting disappointment.
“Wow… This is shocking, lol. But this happened last year, too? I didn’t watch Gayo Daejeon, so I had no idea.”
“What do I do? I can’t stop laughing. He seriously looks like a drunk person…”
“He’s not singing. He’s just acting like a drunk mess. Wasn’t he pretty good at live performances before…?”
The Übermensch concert faced additional scrutiny due to a lengthy delay caused by severe weather, which left fans waiting in freezing temperatures. Galaxy Corporation, G-Dragon’s agency, issued an apology, explaining that the delay was for safety reasons due to strong winds and cold weather. However, some attendees felt G-Dragon should have personally addressed the issue on stage.
Netizens’ Divided Opinions
The performance at Daesung’s show has further polarized opinions. Some netizens praised G-Dragon, arguing that his vocals showed improvement and that his unique style remains a draw. Supporters emphasized his charisma and ability to engage audiences, even if his singing isn’t technically perfect. Others, however, were less forgiving, accusing him of relying too heavily on backing tracks and failing to deliver a strong live performance.
“I’m relieved. I’m not a fan, but I hope he takes good care of himself and keeps going for a long time.”
“Hard to listen to.”
“He was always good, so I think his skills will come back with time.”
“What… Honestly, even since the year-end awards shows, he’s just been mumbling through songs and relying heavily on backing tracks. To be blunt, even with the backing tracks, it sounds bad and unpleasant.”
Critics also pointed out that G-Dragon’s vocal style, which often includes a scratchy or nasal tone, may not suit live performances as he ages. A viral post on TheQoo referenced a 2013 clip from the show WIN: Who is Next?, where G-Dragon admitted to using a “bad” singing method that involves straining his throat. Some netizens speculated that years of this technique, combined with smoking and a long hiatus from performing, have affected his voice.
“Saying he was always bad is an exaggeration—that’s just unfairly discrediting his past. Some people are mocking fans, saying, ‘If he’s good now, show us a good performance then! Why can’t you?’ But honestly, he seems fine now.”
“Seems like G-Dragon fans have pretty low expectations for their artist — they get satisfied way too easily.”
Support from Fans and Industry Peers
Despite the criticism, G-Dragon has received strong support from fans and industry figures. Ock Joo Hyun, a former Fin.K.L member and musical actress, defended his Übermensch performance, highlighting the challenging weather conditions. She noted that performing outdoors in freezing temperatures was “heartbreaking” and praised his dedication.
“After hearing what people who attended the previous day said, I prepared as if I were dressing in a blanket. I was really excited since it was right before my own performance. But watching an artist perform outdoors for such a long time in this weather was heartbreaking. Singing while breathing in such bitterly cold air is just unimaginable.”
Fans on X echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the harsh conditions at the March concert. One user pointed out that G-Dragon was wearing thin clothing in -2°C weather, which likely impacted his performance. Others argued that his stage presence and artistry outweigh any vocal shortcomings.
“Mind u it was -2°C & he was literally wearing thin clothes the entire time & u could physically see his breath it was that cold lol.”
“The weather was extremely bad but yeah haters gonna hate. Stay mad.”
Context of Vocal Challenges
G-Dragon’s vocal struggles have been a recurring topic. His performance at the 2024 SBS Gayo Daejeon on December 25, 2024, also drew criticism for similar reasons. Netizens noted issues with his in-ear monitors, which he adjusted repeatedly on stage, suggesting audio problems affected his singing. Some fans defended him, claiming the live audience experienced a better performance than what was broadcast.
“It seems to be an audio issue.”
“The live performance was better than what was broadcasted.”
Additionally, G-Dragon’s long hiatus from performing—nearly eight years before his 2024 comeback—has been cited as a factor. Fans on Reddit discussed how his voice has naturally deepened with age, and years of smoking may have taken a toll. Some suggested he’s still adjusting to live performances after such a long break.
“Plus, he was never really a vocalist to begin with, he sang in his head voice but did not train for vocals so I can imagine after not singing for almost a decade, smoking the whole time and then going to perform songs from 10-15 years ago would definitely highlight how much a person’s voice has changed.”
Agency and Artist Response
Galaxy Corporation has not issued a specific statement regarding the vocal criticism from Daesung’s show. However, their apology for the Übermensch concert delay addressed fan frustrations and emphasized safety concerns. G-Dragon himself has not publicly commented on the vocal backlash, though he’s known for letting his performances speak for themselves. In a 2010 interview, he expressed frustration over criticism of his first solo concert, highlighting his desire to show diverse sides of his artistry.
“I’m a popular artist for the public. I believe in how the public judges me. It’s my fault if the public felt what I intended was too much or too inappropriate. But it wasn’t a concert that was aired to the public so I wanted to show a more fierce and memorable side.”
Also Read: G-Dragon and Taeyang Join Daesung for Epic BIGBANG Reunion at D’s Wave 2025 Seoul Concert
G-Dragon continues to push forward with his career. Following his appearance at Daesung’s show, he’s preparing for the next leg of his Übermensch world tour, which will cover eight cities across seven countries, starting with Tokyo. His recent single Too Bad won first place on Show! Music Core on March 29, 2025, and his ballad Drama, released in February 2025, has been well-received for its emotional depth. Fans are hopeful that with more stage time, G-Dragon will refine his live vocals and silence critics.
CREDITS: theqoo
