K-pop fans may not see the four remaining members of BIGBANG performing together on stage again. That is if BIGBANG T.O.P's recent statement is true.
T.O.P has been posting several artworks lately, and it's gaining mixed creations from netizens. In his most recent artwork post on Instagram, BIGBANG fans were thrilled to see how active he is on social media, but some have different reactions.
One netizen commented that T.O.P should not think about making a comeback in the South Korean entertainment industry and, instead, reflect on the things that he had done. The netizen was referring to the drug and overdose scandal that the 31-year-old K-pop idol had embroiled into during his military enlistment.
T.O.P, whose real name is Choi Seung Hyun, started his military enlistment as a conscripted policeman in February 2017. However, it was halted after he faces trial for drug use, and subsequently, he admitted guilty of the charges. He received two years of probation with ten months in prison if he violated the probation. He resumed his military service in January 2018 and was discharged in July.
In his response to a netizen's reaction to his post, T.O.P suggested that he has no plans to return to the entertainment industry. Moments later, however, he deleted his post.
"Okay! Dear God! I'm not thinking about it either. Just look at the animal pictures," he said on his reply along with several animal emojis.
Though his response has since deleted, it has already been shared on social media and went viral. Many speculated that the singer could have deleted his message, in case, it backfires on him in the future. Others think T.O.P removed his message because the fan meeting that he had right after his discharge from the military wasn't received well by the public.
T.O.P further receives backlash from Korean netizens, who expressed disappointment with YG Entertainment and its artists due to recent string of scandals. Some called him "immature," while others hope the singer will keep his work and never return on stage.
YG Entertainment has yet to make an announcement about a solo comeback project for T.O.P. or any guarantee that BIGBANG will resume group activities once the three other members are discharged from the military. T.O.P. was the first member of BIGBANG to serve the military. His bandmate G-Dragon is set to be discharged on October 26, while Taeyang and Daesung are expected to complete their military service in mid-November.
The group's former member, Seungri, announced his retirement from the entertainment industry in March due to the Burning Sun scandal, among others. Before his string of scandals and retirement, Seungri talked about BIGBANG's comeback. He said the group would reorganize when they return and will make music that only BIGBANG can do.
