T.O.P, After Leaving BIGBANG, Breaks 10-Year Silence: "I Don't Want to Repeat the Past"

T.O.P is ending a nearly 10-year hiatus with his first full-length solo album.

In a recent interview with GQ Hong Kong, he opened up about the long break. “For almost 10 years, I was almost completely cut off from the public and focused only on making music,” he said. “I barely interacted with the outside world beyond my home and studio. I devoted myself to creating. That time was perfectly constructive and productive for me.”

He added, “I gave myself enough space to make music, and the complex thoughts and inner voice inside me pushed me to expand. I became bolder and less afraid.” Describing how demanding he is on himself, he said, “When I work as T.O.P, I’m extremely strict―almost harsh―on myself. Only now do I feel this album has met my standards.” He expressed confidence in his new album, "Another Dimension."

According to T.O.P, the record features a narrative approach he’s never tried before and a complex sound structure. The title "Another Dimension" signifies “another dimension” and “multiple perspectives.” The album includes 11 tracks, led by the double title songs “Studio54” and “DESPERADO.”

“This album is about closing the book on my past and moving into a completely new chapter,” he said. “I don’t want to repeat the past anymore. It represents a new identity. I’m happiest when I make music, and I want to create songs that last like works of art―music where you discover something new every time you listen.”

T.O.P halted activities after receiving a suspended sentence in 2017. He returned to acting in 2024 with "Squid Game" Season 2 on Netflix. His first solo full-length album, "Another Dimension," drops on the 3rd.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)