It seems that individuals who are sympathetic to the Palestinian cause can be found anywhere, even in the world of K-Pop.
Kwon Ji-yong, famously known to his fans as G-Dragon of BIGBANG, has recently shaken the music scene and received praises from fans when he signed a partnership with Palestinian-owned, San Francisco-based independent record label EMPIRE.
Fans on X (formerly Twitter) indicated that G-Dragon had a broad choice of record label to sign with, but he ultimately decided to join EMPIRE.
However, the K-Pop star has not made any official statement regarding his views on the matter.
The label’s founder and CEO Ghazi Shami, who is Palestinian-American, displays his support and his label’s stance by keeping the Palestine flag as the profile picture on his official X account while also actively Tweeting about the current humanitarian crisis in Palestine.
Notably, G-Dragon is the first K-Pop idol to have signed under a pro-Palestinian record label amidst the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian crisis.
After being with Korean record label YG Entertainment (BLACKPINK, TREASURE and BabyMonster) for two decades, G-Dragon’s signing with EMPIRE marks a new freedom for the Seoul superstar.
He is now starting a new solo career after a seven year hiatus with a new single called ‘Power’ which is produced by EMPIRE.
