On 31 October last year, Kwon Ji Yong—better known by his stage moniker G-Dragon—shook the world with the release of his comeback song ‘Power’. It was a return to the limelight for the K-pop superstar after seven long years, since his second EP Kwon Ji Yong and Act III: MOTTE world tour in 2017. To the uninitiated, Kwon is also widely regarded as a fashion luminary, having made history in 2016 when he was appointed as Chanel’s first Asian global ambassador. He is widely known for his capricious sartorial swings through the years, a distinctive personal style that sees an effortless mix of feminine tropes and streetwear sensibilities.
Below, the global icon and fashion maestro sits down with Vogue in an exclusive interview, shedding light on his long-awaited comeback, rediscovering his artistry and his relationship with the house of Chanel.
You’ve had a long-standing relationship with Vogue, especially the 20th-anniversary issue in 2016, when you posed with top Korean models for Karl Lagerfeld. What image do you aim to present this time?
There are many names people use to refer to me—Kwon Ji-Yong, G-Dragon,GD. I wanted to show all these different sides of myself, exactly as they are. So, I did a shoot in my casual, everyday Kwon Ji-yong style, and also incorporated Chanel into the concepts of ‘Power’ and ‘Home Sweet Home’. And of course, I also included the iconic image that comes to mind when people think of GD.
The Chanel Cruise 2025 collection replica show, first presented in Marseille last May, was also held in Hong Kong. What inspiration have you drawn from Chanel collections?
I’ve been with Chanel for a long time, and every time I see a new show, I’m always inspired. Personally, I now look forward to the details. It’s exciting when new materials are added to a fresh look. Even when I can’t attend a show in person, seeing the pieces revealed later, like today, and experiencing the colours and details first-hand is always so much fun. The way Chanel constantly surprises me is the biggest source of inspiration.
You’re an artist who embraces Chanel’s identity but re-interprets it in a way that’s true to yourself. When it comes to interpreting fashion in your own way, what serves as the guiding principle?
It’s all about the present. I focus on the here and now, striving to be honest about what I want and like. I don’t overthink it; I simply focus on what feels right in the moment and make my decisions from there. However, I also listen to the advice of experts around me to stay grounded. After all, I’m not always the one with all the answers. Everything should feel natural.
In this comeback, your love of scarves stands out. Where does this stem from?
I’m not great with hairstyling, so I’ve always enjoyed wearing scarves.
I was thrilled about your return on 31 October after a seven-year hiatus with‘Power’. You have always promoted the idea of ‘being true to oneself’. Do you feel like you’ve stayed true to yourself with the album and comeback?
This comeback already feels like it happened last year. Just before ‘Power’ was released, I surprised everyone by unveiling it through Instagram Live. I shared a snippet on You Quiz on the Block and then went live at midnight. That felt like the most authentic way for me to release it. I’m always looking for ways to keep things fresh and unexpected. Then, a month later, dropped ‘Home Sweet Home’ without any prior teaser and performed it the very next day at the 2024 MAMA Awards. I guess I really enjoy surprising people. It’s been two months already, and I’m so grateful that both songs are still receiving so much love. I believe they’ve been embraced because they’re true to who I am.
How do you deal with the opinions of others?
I’m not completely indifferent to the opinions of others, but I’ve learnt to trust myself more and put in the effort to live authentically. The more I embrace my true self, the more people recognise and appreciate who I really am.
It’s been over 30 years since you entered the music industry. Many artists describe their work as something they love to do, but you don’t. Would you say music is your destiny?
You could call it destiny. It’s something I couldn’t avoid; it felt natural, no matter what I did.
Do you ever find yourself revisiting your previous albums? How does it make you feel?
I think to myself, I did a really great job with this.
I’ve heard you’ve started taking walks and meditating. Has your outlook on life shifted, perhaps towards nature?
I make an effort to set aside time to focus on myself. Over time, I’ve come to realise how essential it is to have moments dedicated solely to me.
You’ve described yourself as a curious person with a wide range of interests, spanning various art forms and technology. You’re also open to collaborating with experts in these fields.
I’m constantly thinking about how to incorporate new technologies into what I do by directly exploring and experiencing them. It’s something I’m really excited to see come to life.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vogue chose ‘Hope’ as the theme for their September issue, featuring your lighting art on the cover. What does visual art, beyond music, mean to G-Dragon?
Drawing brings me peace of mind. That alone is enough. While I don’t create with specific events in mind, I always enjoy fun and exciting projects.
What kind of year do you hope 2025 will be?
In 2025, I’ll greet everyone with a new song. One day, I’ll surprise you all again, so stay tuned!
Photography Heejune Kim
Styling Gee Eun
Editor Narang Kim
Hair Taehyun/Mizangwon by Taehyun
Make-up Lim Hae-kyung
Manicure Park Eun-kyung/Unistella
Set design Choi Seo-yun/Da:rak
Vogue Singapore’s March ‘Vigour’ issue is out on newsstands and available to purchase online.
