G-Dragon Net Worth

What is G-Dragon's Net Worth?

G-Dragon is a South Korean rapper, singer-songwriter, and entrepreneur who has a net worth of $50 million. G-Dragon came to prominence as the leader of the South Korean boy band BigBang, which became one of the most influential K-pop groups and among the best-selling boy bands in the world. He has also had success as a solo artist and as one half of the duos GD & TOP and GD X Taeyang.

Early Life and Education

G-Dragon, whose real name is Kwon Ji-yong, was born on August 18, 1988 in Seoul, South Korea. For his higher education, he first went to Kyung Hee University, but dropped out because of his hectic schedule. Kwon later enrolled at Gukje Cyber University, from which he graduated with his bachelor's degree in 2013. He went on to obtain his master's degree from Sejong University in 2016. Although Kwon intended to pursue a doctoral degree, he had to defer his plans due to his military enlistment.

Career Beginnings

Kwon began his music career at the age of six when he joined the group Little Roo'ra. After the group's contract was unceremoniously terminated by its record company, Kwon was scouted by an agent from SM Entertainment and became a trainee under the label. He later became interested in rapping when a friend told him about the American hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan. Kwon went on to attend a hip hop summer school led by the South Korean group People Crew, under which he trained. He subsequently caught the attention of rapper Sean, who recommended Kwon to the record label YG Entertainment. It was at this time Kwon adopted the stage name G-Dragon. He went on to appear on singles and albums by various other artists.

BigBang

In 2006, G-Dragon became a member of the band BigBang with Choi Seung-hyun (T.O.P), Dong Young-bae (Taeyang), Jang Hyun-seung (Hyunseung), Kang Dae-sung (Daesung), and Lee Seung-hyun (Seungri). Hyunseung was soon dropped, and as a quintet the band released its first album, "Big Bang Vol. 1," in late 2006. That was followed by the EP "Always" in 2007. The EP spawned BigBang's breakout hit single, "Lies," which was written and composed by G-Dragon. BigBang had further successes with the EPs "Hot Issue" and "Stand Up," which yielded the hit singles "Last Farewell" and "Haru Haru," respectively. The group's second studio album, "Remember," was another hit upon its release in 2008. That year, BigBang entered the Japanese market with the EPs "For the World" and "With U." Those were followed by two Japanese studio albums in 2009: "Number 1" and "Big Bang." The latter album spawned the hit singles "My Heaven" and "Gara Gara Go!"

BigBang returned to the South Korean market with the hit song "Lollipop," released in 2009. Following a two-year hiatus, the group released the EP "Tonight," which topped the Gaon Album Chart and yielded the chart-topping title track. BigBang had another number-one single with "Love Song," from the album "Big Bang Special Edition." Later in 2011, the band released the Japanese studio album "Big Bang 2," which topped the Oricon Albums Chart and launched the hit singles "Koe o Kikasete" and "Tell Me Goodbye." BigBang achieved a milestone in 2012 with its Korean EP "Alive," which became the first album entirely in the Korean language to chart on the Billboard 200 in the United States. Hit singles from the EP included "Blue," "Bad Boy," and "Fantastic Baby." Later in 2012, "Alive" was reissued as "Still Alive," yielding the hit single "Monster."

Following a three-year hiatus, BigBang returned in 2015 with several hit singles, including "Loser," "Bae Bae," "Bang Bang Bang," "If You," and "We Like 2 Party." These and other tracks were included on the band's studio album "Made," released in late 2016. A big success, the album reached number one in South Korea and Japan. There was also a Japanese version of the album called "Made Series." In 2018, BigBang had its final release as a five-person group with the song "Flower Road," a parting gift to fans ahead of the band members going off to fulfill their mandatory military service. It became the band's tenth song to top the Gaon Digital Chart. As a four-member group, BigBang released its next song, "Still Life," in 2022; it topped the charts in multiple territories in Southeast and East Asia. Following the departure of T.O.P in 2023, BigBang became a trio comprising G-Dragon, Taeyang, and Daesung.

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Solo Career

G-Dragon released his debut solo album, "Heartbreaker," in 2009. It featured the smash lead single of the same name, one of the best-selling singles in South Korean history. Other successful songs from the album included "Breathe," "A Boy," and "Hello." In 2012, G-Dragon released his first solo EP, "One of a Kind," which topped the Gaon Albums Chart and the Billboard World Albums Chart and spawned the hit singles "That XX" and "Crayon." G-Dragon continued his incredible success with his second solo studio album, "Coup d'Etat," which came out in 2013. Supported by the singles "Black," "Who You?," "Crooked," and "Niliria," the album was another chart-topper on the Gaon Albums Chart and Billboard World Albums Chart. After a hiatus of close to four years, G-Dragon released the EP "Kwon Ji Yong" in 2017; it spawned the number-one single "Untitled, 2014." An even longer hiatus followed, ending in 2024 with the release of the singles "Power" and "Home Sweet Home." Those songs were the first two singles from G-Dragon's third solo studio album, "Übermensch," which was released in early 2025. Both singles were hits, as was the third single, "Too Bad."

Musical Collaborations

With his fellow BigBang member T.O.P, G-Dragon formed the duo GD & TOP in 2010. At the end of that year, they released the album "GD&TOP," which was supported by the hit singles "High High," "Oh Yeah," and "Knock Out." The album itself peaked at number one on the Gaon Albums Chart. After a five-year hiatus, the duo released the single "Zutter," which reached number two on the Gaon Digital Chart. G-Dragon formed a duo with his other fellow BigBang member, Taeyang, in 2014. Under the name GD X Taeyang, they had a major hit with the single "Good Boy." G-Dragon has collaborated with numerous other artists over the years, including 2NE1, Skrillex, Diplo, iKon, Baauer, Zion.T, and IU.

Other Ventures

As an entrepreneur and businessman, G-Dragon built an 11-suite pension hotel in South Korea in 2012. A few years later, he opened his first cafe on Jeju Island, followed by another in 2017. Elsewhere, G-Dragon has partnered with various fashion brands to launch his own collections of apparel and accessories. On the philanthropic side of things, he has supported such causes as child education and food security, child healthcare, and the fight against HIV/AIDS. In 2024, G-Dragon launched the JusPeace Foundation to battle substance addiction and support the arts. The following year, he began hosting the variety show "Good Day" on MBC TV.

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