T.O.P is gearing up for a solo return, signaling his comeback with a new album.
On Jan. 1, the rapper dropped a teaser on social media reading “A NEW ALBUM IS ON THE WAY,” alongside a short clip. The post also featured the phrase “ANOTHER DIMENSION,” hinting at a possible title or overarching concept for the project.
This will be his first solo release since the 2013 digital single “DOOM DADA.” T.O.P debuted in 2006 as a member of BIGBANG and confirmed his departure from the group in 2023. As BIGBANG hits its 20th anniversary this year, G-DRAGON, TAEYANGand DAESUNG are slated to reunite on the Coachella stage in April, though T.O.P is not expected to participate in that appearance.
On the acting front, he resurfaced in December with Netflix’s "Squid Game 2," playing Thanos, a retired rapper battling addiction. Reflecting on that period, he shared, “I shut myself off from the world, moving only between home and the studio. I made music to survive,” adding, “I could truly breathe only when I was in front of the mic―and I feel responsible for sharing what I created with fans.”
T.O.P took an extended hiatus following his 2016 conviction for marijuana use. He later returned to the spotlight through acting, following a period of reflection and rehabilitation.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)