G-Dragon Recalls Nervousness During You Quiz on the Block Appearance

K-pop star G-Dragon reflected on the intense scrutiny surrounding his October 2024 television return on tvN’s ‘You Quiz on the Block‘, detailing his nerves during his first broadcast in seven years following cleared drug allegations.

Returning to Television After a Seven-Year Hiatus

G-Dragon opened up about the severe tension he experienced when he returned to the public eye for his first talk show appearance in nearly seven years. On Aug. 22, the YouTube channel Ttungttung released a new episode of the web variety show ‘Pinggyego’, titled ‘Anniversary Is Just an Excuse’. G-Dragon, Taeyang and Daesung appeared on the show and spoke with Yoo Jae Suk and Haha. During an appearance on the web variety show ‘Pinggyego’ alongside fellow group members Taeyang and Daesung, the singer demonstrated how nervous he had been on set.

Yoo Jae Suk brought up G-Dragon’s previous appearance on tvN’s ‘You Quiz on the Block’. You came on 'You Quiz on the Block' and met me there. I've known you for quite a long time, but I can't forget the G-Dragon I saw on 'You Quiz on the Block,' Yoo Jae Suk said. Hunching his neck and shoulders, he described the physical manifestation of his anxiety during his return to television. Main host Yoo Jae Suk recalled meeting the artist at the time, noting that he had spoken openly about his thoughts despite the heavy burden of returning to solo activities after such a long break. Yoo Jae Suk likewise recalled meeting G-Dragon at the time, saying that he had spoken openly about his thoughts.

“It was almost like my first broadcast in seven years, so I think I kept doing this.”

G-Dragon

Navigating Intense Scrutiny and Drug Investigations

The landmark talk show appearance followed a difficult period involving unproven accusations. G-Dragon’s appearance on ‘You Quiz on the Block’ in October 2024 drew particular attention because it marked his return to a talk show after a lengthy hiatus and came after the drug allegations that had surrounded him the previous year. Police had previously investigated the singer over suspected drug use amid an intense government crackdown on narcotics, though all drug tests, including detailed analyses of his hair and nail samples, came back negative. The police subsequently decided not to refer the case for prosecution due to insufficient evidence. On Dec 19, the Incheon Metropolitan Police decided not to charge the former leader of the K-pop band BigBang for alleged drug use after they had not obtained testimonies to support the charges against him, Yonhap News Agency reported.

G-Dragon Recalls Nervousness During You Quiz on the Block Appearance — Photo: straitstimes.com

Throughout the investigation, the artist strongly denied the allegations, submitting to voluntary police questioning and maintaining his innocence in a sit-down interview with broadcasting media. G-Dragon, a fashion muse and a writer of many hit songs, had strongly denied the allegations, showing up at a police station in November for questioning to prove his innocence. In a sit-down interview with Yonhap News TV the same month, the 35-year-old star again denied any illegal drug use. I have never used drugs, received or given drugs from or to anyone, he said, referring to negative drug test results.

Reflections on Public Pressure and Bandmate Support

Following his talk show broadcast, online commentators scrutinized his speech and physical gestures, comparing them with his past appearances. Reflecting on that pressure during the web variety show, Daesung noted that the public commentary likely made him even more self-conscious about how he spoke and moved. Reflecting on the reaction, Daesung said, At the time, there were so many comments about your gestures and the way you spoke, so you probably became even more self-conscious. He also expressed sympathy for the pressure G-Dragon must have felt.

G-Dragon Opens Up About Mental Struggles and Career Journey on 'You Quiz on the Block' #gdragon

During his initial interview on the program, G-Dragon also described feeling deeply cornered by the ordeal, admitting that the mental exhaustion brought on heavy thoughts before he managed to keep himself grounded. During the ‘You Quiz on the Block’ appearance, G-Dragon had also spoken candidly about the difficult period he went through amid the drug allegations. He described feeling “cornered” and said, I couldn't move forward or backward, and when you're mentally exhausted, you start thinking about dangerous things. I tried to keep myself grounded, even if I had to force myself to.

Milestones Surrounding the Musical Comeback

The long-awaited return marked a major turning point for the artist, who secured trademark rights to his stage names from his former agency ahead of his solo release schedule. In August, G-Dragon secured trademark rights to his stage names “G-Dragon” and “GD” from his former agency, YG Entertainment. Alongside television appearances, the musician has balanced high-profile entertainment projects with academic responsibilities as a visiting professor at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology. In addition to his musical endeavours, G-Dragon is a visiting professor in the mechanical engineering department at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST).