What was meant to be a triumphant and emotional chapter in G-Dragon’s solo world tour turned into a moment of tension and frustration after fans attending his Ubermensch concert in Hong Kong were spotted holding up controversial signs that read “Bring Seungri Back.”
The incident has ignited a firestorm online, with countless fans expressing deep disappointment and outrage over what they are calling a blatant show of disrespect—not just toward G-Dragon, but toward the healing journey of the entire BIGBANG fandom.
The signs, written in Korean (and reportedly grammatically incorrect), were held high during multiple moments throughout the concert, clearly visible to those in the crowd and, unfortunately, also to G-Dragon himself.
According to attendees and fan accounts shared online, the K-pop legend noticed the signs and appeared visibly affected, even turning away and composing himself mid-performance.
“Several times throughout the videos you can see him trying to look away from the signs and compose himself,” one fan account shared.
“Please, do not mention former members who have no connection to him anymore.”
Social media platforms including X (formerly Twitter), Threads, and Weverse erupted shortly after the concert footage began to circulate.
Fans of G-Dragon—known as VIPs—expressed anger, disbelief, and sorrow over the signs, which many see as reopening old wounds and disrespecting G-Dragon’s journey since the scandal that tore BIGBANG apart years ago.
The Controversy Around Seungri
To fully understand the weight behind this outrage, one must consider the history.
Seungri, the former maknae (youngest member) of BIGBANG, left the group and retired from the entertainment industry in 2019 following his central involvement in the notorious “Burning Sun” scandal.
He was accused and later convicted on multiple charges, including prostitution mediation, illegal gambling, and embezzlement.
His actions not only destroyed his career but also severely impacted BIGBANG’s reputation and unity at the time.
While other members such as Taeyang and Daesung have slowly returned to the public eye and G-Dragon launched his world tour to much fanfare, Seungri remains a deeply divisive and largely condemned figure in the K-pop community.
Many fans consider him permanently estranged from the group, and any mention of him in association with BIGBANG is considered highly disrespectful—especially in a public setting like a solo concert.
“Shame On You”: Fans Speak Out
Outraged fans didn’t hold back. Many posts called out the sign-holders directly, accusing them of selfishness, ignorance, and blatant disregard for the artist’s emotions.
“To the people who thought it was funny or clever to bring up Seungri, a convicted sex offender, at GD’s concert: you’re vile,” one fan wrote.
“You didn’t just disrespect GD, you disrespected the pain, struggle, and healing it took for him to stand on that stage again.”
Others questioned the organizers’ preparedness and called for tighter security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Some fans began tagging concert management company GALAXY and urging fellow VIPs to send emails or messages requesting better sign monitoring at upcoming shows.
“This is intolerable and not the first time,” one post read.
“GD clearly saw it in today’s video. Please repost and let more people see.”
The backlash also extended to so-called “OT5” fans—those who continue to support the idea of BIGBANG as a five-member group, including Seungri.
Many long-time VIPs took issue with this sentiment, arguing that any desire to bring Seungri back disregards the seriousness of his actions and the emotional toll they took on the other members.
“The worst thing you could do to BIGBANG is to ask them to bring back Seungri,” another post read.
“Have you forgotten what he alone has done to the group? You only care for Seungri, not BIGBANG.”
G-Dragon’s Unspoken Pain
While G-Dragon did not address the signs publicly during the concert, fans have continued to dissect footage that suggests he saw them and was emotionally affected.
Known for his composed, artistic demeanor, G-Dragon’s quiet reaction—turning away and steadying himself—spoke volumes to fans who have followed his journey through heartbreak, scandal, military service, and personal struggle.
His decision to move forward with a global tour was seen by many as a symbol of personal strength and healing.
The Hong Kong incident, however, reminded everyone just how fragile that recovery can be—and how damaging thoughtless actions by a few can be to an artist and their loyal supporters.
In the end, the controversy over the “Bring Seungri Back” signs is more than just a fan scandal.
It is a stark reminder of how idols are people too, deeply affected by betrayal, scandal, and public opinion.
And as G-Dragon stands tall again on international stages, fans are rallying behind him—not just as an artist, but as a survivor of the storm who deserves support, respect, and peace.
