Daesung: From BIGBANG's "adorable clown" to the hidden podcast 'owner'?

In 2025, Daesung is not only an international solo singer, but also a potential face in fashion and podcast media. With his bravery, talent, and perseverance, Daesung deserves to be a new cultural icon of K-pop.

Childhood and entry into music
Kang Daesung was born on April 26, 1989 in Seoul, and grew up in Incheon. He is known by the stage names Daesung in Korea and D-Lite in Japan. Possessing a deep, emotional voice and a bright smile, Daesung soon became one of the signature voices of K-pop. Since childhood, he has had a passion for music and nurtured his dream of becoming a singer, but this journey has not been easy in the face of prejudice from his family and society. Finally, with energy and passion, Daesung was admitted to YG Entertainment, opening a new chapter in his career.

2006 – Debuted with BIGBANG
In 2006, Daesung officially debuted with BIGBANG at YG's 10th anniversary concert. From the very beginning, he had difficulties when he was diagnosed with a nodule in the vocal cord and went through a period of psychological crisis, fear of the stage. However, thanks to the treatment and support from his colleagues, Daesung overcame. Along with the group, he quickly made his mark in the hearts of the public, becoming an indispensable piece of the puzzle thanks to his powerful voice and humorous and approachable personality.

2008 – Solo and television turning point
In 2008, Daesung released the trot song " Look At Me , Gwisun ", a bold decision as most idols at the time pursued modern pop music. The song was unexpectedly successful, helping him stand out among young artists. In the same year, he became a permanent member of SBS's national television show "Family Outing". His witty speech, grace, and honest image have made Daesung a favorite face on television, expanding his image beyond the music industry. At the same time, he tried his hand at musicals, taking on the role of Rum Tum Tugger in "Cats", proving his versatility.

2009 – 2012: Challenges and revivals
In 2009, Daesung was in a serious traffic accident, forcing him to suspend his activities for treatment. However, he made a strong comeback with the 2010 single "Cotton Candy", which made a splash on the Gaon charts. He also participated in the musical movie "What's Up" and became the MC of the talk show "Night After Night". When BIGBANG re-emerged with the album "Alive" in 2012, Daesung still maintained his form and prepared for an international step in his personal career.

2013 – 2014: Success in Japan
In 2013, Daesung expanded his career to Japan with the album "D'scover" and the stage name D-Lite. The album quickly reached number 2 on the Oricon chart, helping him organize his first Japanese tour with more than 100,000 audiences. In 2014, he followed up with the album "D'slove" and the mini album "Delight", in which "Delight" topped Oricon, making him the first foreign artist in the genre to achieve that feat. The great success in Japan affirms Daesung's position as a K-pop solo artist with international attraction.

2017 – Climax with D-Day and dome tour
2017 marked a major milestone when Daesung released his album "D-Day", which reached #1 Oricon and became the second foreign male artist to have two consecutive albums at the top of the chart, after Michael Jackson. He also organized the "Japan Dome Tour", becoming the first BIGBANG member to hold a solo dome tour, attracting 150,000 spectators. This was the time when Daesung's solo career reached its peak, proving his vocal strength and ability to charm the audience.

2018 – 2019: Military service and events
On March 13, 2018, Daesung enlisted in the 27th Infantry Force in Gangwon. During this time, the media reported on a building he bought in 2017 that was operating illegally. Daesung insisted that he was unaware of the activity because he had enlisted in the military and cooperated in the investigation. In the end, he was exonerated. On November 10, 2019, Daesung was officially discharged from the army, closing the challenging period and preparing to return to the stage.

2022 – 2024: Leaving YG and a new beginning
At the end of 2022, Daesung left YG Entertainment after 16 years together, opening an important turning point. In 2023, he signed a contract with D-LABEL, which is part of RND Company. He continued to make his mark on TV shows, including MBN's "Living Legend". In 2024, he released the single "Falling Slowly", marking his return to the Korean market after years of concentration in Japan, showing his desire to maintain a sustainable career.

2025 – Asia tour and new mini album
In 2025, Daesung will affirm its position with the "D's WAVE" Asian tour, passing through many major cities, including its first solo concert in Singapore in August. He also released the mini album "D's Wave" to accompany the tour. This is a testament to Daesung's maturity, from a K-pop idol to a recognized international solo artist.

Daesung and fashion – a subtle transformation
Besides music, Daesung began to assert himself in the field of fashion. He appears in many lookbook photos of Korean and Japanese brands, with a style that blends youthful streetwear and sophisticated high fashion. The modern unisex image, bold combination of colors and accessories help Daesung impress. During the "D's WAVE" tour, he also specially invested in stage costumes, turning each performance into a vivid fashion show.

Podcasts – a new channel to connect with your audience
In the context of the booming podcast, Daesung is also expected to encroach on this field. With his emotional voice and captivating storytelling, he can easily create a show of his own, sharing his art story, behind-the-scenes, fashion, and even his personal life. This promises to become a new connection channel, helping him maintain regular engagement with fans even when he is not on stage.

Over a career of 19 years, Daesung has gone through all kinds of ups and downs: from stage fright, traffic accidents, military service to media incidents. However, he always knows how to come back stronger. In 2025, Daesung is not only an international solo singer, but also a potential face in fashion and podcast media. With his bravery, talent, and perseverance, Daesung deserves to be a new cultural icon of K-pop, continuing to shape the all-round generation of artists in the next decade. Not stopping at the title of "the main vocalist of BIGBANG", Daesung is proving to the public a new look: a mature artist, with his own voice, daring to challenge himself in seemingly unfamiliar fields. His appearances on the runways show a bold image transformation, while podcasts open up a new space where Daesung not only sings but also shares, dialogues, and inspires millions of viewers.

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