![\"18\uc77c\"](\"https:\/\/cdn-union.tenbizt.com\/contents\/crawler-dev\/image\/2026\/05\/CP-2023-0299\/image-2c6fdb92-2190-4193-b5b7-0b3013228acf.jpeg\")
\u201cWhile making this album, the words that stayed with me most were \u2018essence\u2019 and \u2018quintessence.\u2019\u201d <\/p>\nTranslation result \u201cWhile making this album, the words that stayed with me most were \u2018essence\u2019 and \u2018quintessence.\u2019\u201d <\/p>\n
Taeyang, a member of Big Bang, returns after nine years with a project centered on that idea: his fourth full-length album, QUINTESSENCE. After launching his career with Big Bang and building a solo path over two decades, he said he chose to keep asking what his core artistic identity is rather than settle for easy answers. <\/p>\n
Speaking at a listening event in Mapo District, Seoul, to mark the release, Taeyang said, \u201cWhat I focused on most was what a new version of myself would sound like.\u201d He added that after a long career, creating something truly new and taking risks can feel increasingly difficult, but he spent a lot of time considering what fresh direction he could take. \u201cAll those questions and attempts are embodied in this album,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
He approached the record differently this time, changing his production process and seeking out diverse collaborators, including internationally based producers and distinctive domestic artists such as Tablo and Paul Blanco. Taeyang said he weighed which local producers would fit best, and that Paul Blanco was the most eager to collaborate. \u201cAt our first meeting he played a few tracks he\u2019d made with me in mind, and the moment I heard them I knew they were songs I could do well,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
The title track is the second cut, \u201cLIVE FAST DIE SLOW.\u201d It\u2019s a declaration about keeping your center and living intensely amid a fast-moving world, driven by brisk, retro synthesizer sounds. Taeyang recalled, \u201cTwo years ago, while on my solo tour, I decided the next album needed the fastest, most exciting song. I debated it until the end, but while shooting the music video I felt that choice was right.\u201d <\/p>\n
The album also includes \u201cWOULD YOU,\u201d featuring The Black Label\u2019s junior artists Tarzan and Woochan. Taeyang said watching the All Day Project\u2019s debut and early performances brought back memories of Big Bang\u2019s early days. \u201cI thought working with these kids could bring a certain youthful freshness I used to have,\u201d he said. When asked whether he\u2019d perform with his younger colleagues, he hinted that fans could look forward to a joint stage. <\/p>\n
\u201cToday\u2019s my birthday, and I\u2019m glad to be able to give my fans a nice gift,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Taeyang of BIGBANG returns after 9 years with his album “QUINTESSENCE,” focusing on the themes of essence and authenticity.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/cdn-union.tenbizt.com\/contents\/crawler-dev\/thumbnail\/2026\/05\/CP-2023-0299\/thumb-e800669e-cfe8-436f-a4ca-6fe164e07f16.jpg","footnotes":""},"categories":[278101],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-260772","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-music"],"yoast_head":"\n