T.O.P’s “HAPPY” Instagram story: Is it because of BIGBANG’s upcoming comeback or YG contract termination?

Amid the news of BIGBANG’s comeback, T.O.P’s latest Instagram story draws attention.

On February 8th, T.O.P posted a story showing the phrase ‘HAPPY’ on his personal Instagram. Fans think that this means T.O.P wanted to express his excitement ahead of BIGBANG’s comeback as a group after a long hiatus. 

Earlier on February 7th, YG Entertainment, BIGBANG’s agency announced, “BIGBANG is planning to release a new song this spring. The recording for the new song has been completed and we are currently about to shoot a music video.”

Alongside BIGBANG’s comeback news, T.O.P’s exclusive contract with YG was confirmed to have expired and he would be taking on new challenges as an artist and businessman outside of YG from now on. YG added, “We respect T.O.P’s opinion that he wants to expand his individual activities not only as a member of BIGBANG, but also as a soloist. We have discussed this well with the members. T.O.P will join BIGBANG activities whenever it’s possible.”

T.O.P, who has been boasting his deep knowledge in art, is expected to collaborate with various brands and demonstrate his talent in new fields in the future like fellow member G-Dragon, who developed his own fashion brand.

Meanwhile, BIGBANG’s upcoming new song has become a trending topic on social media since it is their first group release in about 4 years after the single ‘Flower Road’ came out in March 2018.

Starting with T.O.P in 2017, BIGBANG members went through a 4-year hiatus as G-Dragon, Taeyang, and Daesung enlisted in the military one after another.

After completing their military service, BIGBANG members chose the ‘Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival’, America’s largest music festival, as their first activity as a four-member group. However, the event was canceled due to the pandemic. 

Debuting in 2006, BIGBANG became one of the top K-pop groups and released numerous hit songs such as ‘Lies’, ‘Last Farewell’, ‘Haru Haru’, ‘FANTASTIC BABY’, and ‘BANG BANG BANG’.