The contrasting current paths of Big Bang members are capturing public attention. On October 23, G-Dragon was honored with the Order of Cultural Merit at the 2025 Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards, making him the youngest-ever recipient of the distinction.
In his heartfelt speech, the global K-pop icon recalled his childhood dreams, saying, “I first stepped into an audition hall at age six, holding my mom’s hand, not knowing much. Since then, I’ve been chasing the same dream.”
He continued, “As a teenager, I dreamed of becoming a singer and achieved that. In my 20s, I received awards. Now in my 30s, I’ve been honored with this cultural medal. I look forward to what my 40s will bring.”
Expressing pride in his work, G-Dragon thanked his musical seniors, saying they were his “shining stars,” adding, “I grew up listening to their music, and now I am one of them. Next year marks Big Bang’s 20th anniversary. I want to share this honor with my members and sincerely thank our fans.”
He also touched on his current world tour, remarking, “Every day feels like a dream. I often say ‘Good night, sweet dreams’ before bed—and it feels like those dreams become reality. When they do, new dreams arise. I hope everyone can also dream good dreams that turn into reality.”
Meanwhile, former Big Bang member Seungri, who left the entertainment industry following his conviction in the Burning Sun scandal, has resurfaced in controversy once again. A video recently surfaced showing Seungri speaking at an event in Cambodia, where he exclaimed, “People told me it’s dangerous to go to Cambodia. Eat s**. Cambodia is the best country in Asia.”
The remarks sparked backlash, especially as rumors link Seungri to the controversial “Prince Group,” a Cambodian conglomerate accused of leading transnational criminal operations.
Logos in the video appear to show “Prince Brewing” and “Prince Holdings.” While no confirmed evidence ties Seungri to these entities, the optics alone reignited scrutiny.
The Prince Group, led by Chinese businessman Chen Zhi, is active in Cambodia across real estate, finance, logistics, tourism, and food & beverage. Despite its rapid rise over the past decade, the group is now under intense international investigation.
The U.S. Department of Justice has charged Chen Zhi with running forced labor camps and orchestrating massive cryptocurrency fraud. Authorities have moved to seize $15 billion worth of Bitcoin in his possession.
Additionally, the U.K. government imposed sanctions on “Golden Fortune Resort World,” which operates the so-called “Prince Complex” on the outskirts of Phnom Penh. Chen’s real estate assets in London were frozen, and he has been banned from using the U.K. financial system.
As G-Dragon receives one of Korea’s highest cultural honors and prepares to celebrate two decades with Big Bang, the juxtaposition with Seungri’s ongoing controversies presents a striking image of diverging legacies from one of K-pop’s most influential groups.
Sources: Daum
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