Photo: K-POPIT 케이팝잇 · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Born in South Korea · Nationality South Korean — K-pop / music / media / personal life

G-Dragon

Also known as: Kwon Ji-yong

South Korean rapper, songwriter and producer, leader of BIGBANG.

Documented profile covering 8 controversies, including “2009: 'Heartbreaker' and 'Butterfly' face plagiarism allegations and Sony/ATV formal notice” and “2009–2010: Sexual and violent performance at 'Shine a Light' concert — prosecution investigation, no personal charges”.

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Profile No. 1751 · Updated on 12 October 2026

8Documented controversies

11Sources

0Formal charge · all time

0Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

2025-11-29–2025-11-30

2025: MAMA performance heavily criticised over vocals — G-Dragon himself posts disapproval

No legal proceedings

Following his performance at MAMA 2025, numerous comments criticised his vocals and use of a backing track; G-Dragon himself left a disapproving emoji beneath the performance video.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
Maeil Business NewspaperLive Performance Concerns... G-Dragon Draws Attention with Self-Critique of MAMA StagePressHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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2023-10-25–2023-12-14

2023: New drug investigation — denial, negative tests and case closed without referral to prosecutors

No legal proceedings

Incheon police opened an investigation into alleged drug use; G-Dragon denied the allegations and voluntarily appeared before investigators.

Sources · 2

[1]
EFEK-pop singer G-Dragon denies drug use allegationsNews agencyHigh reliability
[2]
EFESouth Korean police to close G-Dragon’s alleged drug use caseNews agencyHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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2020-06–2020-06-29

2020: Allegations of neglect involving his dogs Gaho and Jolie

No legal proceedings

Photographs taken at an establishment run by G-Dragon's parents showed his Shar-Pei dogs with long nails and in enclosures, prompting allegations of neglect.

State of the evidence: Alleged

Sources · 1

[1]
The Korea TimesG-Dragon under fire after being accused of animal crueltyPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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2018-06-19–2018-06-30

2018: Alleged preferential treatment at military hospital — denials by YG and Defence Ministry

No legal proceedings

Dispatch claimed that G-Dragon was given a room reserved for officers during a military hospital stay; YG and the Ministry of Defence denied that any improper privilege had been granted.

Sources · 2

[1]
Yonhap News AgencyG-Dragon in middle of preferential treatment controversy at hospitalNews agencyVery high reliability
[2]
Yonhap News AgencyGD, 군병원 특혜 입원 논란…국방부 '병사도 1인실 사용 가능'News agencyVery high reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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2014-12-03

2014: MAMA rap criticising award distribution

No legal proceedings

G-Dragon altered his lyrics at the MAMA ceremony to mock the number of prizes awarded and suggest that the organisers distributed them widely to avoid conflict.

State of the evidence: Documented
Attribution: Personally implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
The Korea TimesYG Hits Sony Over Plagiarism AllegationsPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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2011-05–2011-10-05

2011: Marijuana use in Japan — positive hair test, admission and suspension of indictment

Case dismissed / dropped

South Korean prosecutors established that G-Dragon had smoked a small amount of marijuana in Japan; he admitted smoking a cigarette offered to him in a club, and his hair test was positive.

Attribution: Directly implicated

Sources · 1

[1]
Yonhap News AgencyPopular boy band member avoids marijuana smoking chargesNews agencyVery high reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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2009-12-05–2010-03-16

2009–2010: Sexual and violent performance at 'Shine a Light' concert — prosecution investigation, no personal charges

No legal proceedings

A sexual scene staged on a bed and a violent video during his solo concert prompted the authorities to request an investigation; G-Dragon was questioned by prosecutors.

Attribution: Shared responsibility

Sources · 2

[1]
The Korea TimesG-Dragon Questioned Over Obscenity in PerformancePressHigh reliability
[2]
Yonhap News Agency검찰 `선정성' 논란 지드래곤 입건유예News agencyVery high reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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2009-08–2009-09

2009: 'Heartbreaker' and 'Butterfly' face plagiarism allegations and Sony/ATV formal notice

Allegations

Sony/ATV sent objections to YG concerning alleged similarities between 'Heartbreaker' and 'Right Round', among others, and between 'Butterfly' and an Oasis song.

State of the evidence: Documented

Sources · 2

[1]
The Korea TimesYG’s 4 Songs Face Plagiarism ChargesPressHigh reliability
[2]
The Korea TimesYG Hits Sony Over Plagiarism AllegationsPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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II. Constellation of documented links

No documented link with another published profile for now.

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

III. Has something changed?

A new court decision, a missing source, a mistake? Tell us what should be updated: every request is read by the editorial team.