They were the blueprint. Basically, if you were a K-pop fan in 2010, you couldn't escape the rabbit ears and the neon hair. G-Dragon and T.O.P didn't just form a sub-unit; they built a playground where high fashion met raw hip-hop, and the industry is still trying to catch up.
Kinda crazy to think it's been over fifteen years since they first shared a stage as a duo.
But where do they stand now, especially with the 20th anniversary of BIGBANG looming in 2026? Honestly, the relationship between these two is way more nuanced than the "best friends forever" narrative you see on fan-edited TikToks. It’s professional, it's personal, and lately, it’s been a bit complicated.
The GD & TOP Legacy: More Than Just "High High"
We have to look back to understand the current weight of their names. When they dropped their self-titled album on Christmas Eve in 2010, it was a cultural shift. Most idols back then were tightly controlled. They didn't write about "Knock Out" or "Baby Goodnight." They didn't perform with the kind of loose, almost arrogant swagger that Kwon Ji-yong and Choi Seung-hyun brought to the table.
They were a study in contrasts.
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G-Dragon was the high-pitched, fast-rapping chameleon. T.O.P was the baritone anchor with a gaze that could melt a camera lens. Together, they moved 130,000 copies in a single week—a massive number for 2010. They proved that sub-units could be just as profitable, if not more creative, than the main group.
Then came "Zutter" in 2015. It was the last time we saw them as a formal duo. It was gritty. It was weird. It was everything fans wanted. But since then? The silence has been pretty loud.
Why G-Dragon and T.O.P Stopped Collaborating
People always ask why we didn't get another GD & TOP album. Well, life happened. Specifically, mandatory military service and a string of legal hurdles that would have ended any other group.
T.O.P’s 2017 marijuana controversy was a massive turning point. It wasn't just a PR hiccup; it was a traumatic event for him that led to a long period of self-reflection and, eventually, a distancing from the idol system. While G-Dragon continued to navigate the limelight with his fashion brand Peaceminusone and various solo projects, T.O.P leaned into the art world and winemaking.
The 2023 Breakup
In May 2023, things got real. T.O.P officially confirmed on Instagram that he had "already withdrawn" from BIGBANG. He even went as far as to cross out the group’s name in some of his posts.
You’ve probably seen the rumors that they "unfollowed" each other on social media. In the world of K-pop, an unfollow is basically a digital war declaration. While neither artist has ever explicitly trashed the other in an interview—they’re too classy for that—the vibe shifted from "brothers in arms" to "parallel lives."
Where Are They in 2026?
Fast forward to right now. It is January 2026, and the landscape for both artists has changed drastically.
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G-Dragon is fresh off his massive [Übermensch] World Tour which wrapped up in late 2025. He’s currently headlining festivals like K-SPARK in Malaysia and preparing for his first solo fan meeting in years at the KSPO Dome. He is, quite literally, the undisputed King of K-pop again. He’s been teasing a BIGBANG reunion for April 2026, but the big question is: who’s invited?
On the other side, T.O.P just made a huge splash with his role as "Thanos" in Squid Game 2. He used that momentum to announce his first solo album in 13 years, titled ANOTHER DIMENSION.
The Anniversary Tension
Here is the crux of the matter for 2026:
- G-Dragon, Taeyang, and Daesung are set to perform at Coachella in April.
- T.O.P has stated in interviews that he has "drawn a line" under the possibility of rejoining the group.
It's a bitter pill for VIPs (their fans) to swallow. You have G-Dragon teasing a 20th-anniversary tour while T.O.P is rebranding himself as a solo artist and actor under his own terms.
The "GD & TOP" Misconception
Most people think they were just a musical duo. In reality, they were a branding powerhouse. G-Dragon brought the "idol as a brand" mentality, while T.O.P brought the "idol as an enigma" aesthetic.
When you see modern duos like Stray Kids’ 3RACHA or various NCT units, they are all walking through doors that G-Dragon and T.O.P kicked down. They showed that you could be "extreme" and still top the Melon charts. They weren't just rappers; they were curators of a specific kind of Korean cool that didn't exist before them.
What to Watch for Next
If you’re looking for a reunion, don't hold your breath for a surprise "High High" performance at Coachella. All signs point to a three-member BIGBANG for the foreseeable future.
However, keep a close eye on the credits of T.O.P’s new album, ANOTHER DIMENSION. While they might not be appearing in music videos together, these two have a history of respect for each other’s craft. Whether they are "friends" in the way fans want them to be doesn't really matter. Their legacy is already baked into the DNA of the industry.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Check the Coachella Lineup: April 2026 is the big moment. If there’s going to be a "reunion" of any kind, that’s where the stage is set.
- Monitor the Solo Drops: G-Dragon’s Übermensch and T.O.P’s ANOTHER DIMENSION are the definitive statements of their current identities. Listen to them side-by-side to see how their musical paths have diverged.
- Follow Galaxy Corp and T.O.P Spot: These are the respective agencies/labels now. The days of checking the YG Entertainment website for updates on these two are officially over.