[Edaily Starin KIM HYUNSIK Reporter] The group Big Bang (G-Dragon, Taeyang, Daesung) is celebrating its 20th anniversary in grand style with a large-scale project encompassing new songs, concerts, and media exhibitions. They will commemorate this meaningful milestone with fans through a variety of events.

◇20th Anniversary Festival Unfolds in Jamsil and Along the Han River
Since their debut on August 19, 2006, BIGBANG has established itself as a leading K-pop group by releasing numerous hit songs such as “Lie,” “Last Farewell,” “Fantastic Baby,” and “Bang Bang Bang.” Having started as a five-member group, they reorganized into a trio following the departures of Seungri and T.O.P. and are now celebrating their 20th anniversary.
Earlier this April, BIGBANG appeared as a full group at the major U.S. music festival “Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (Coachella),” where they stated, “Something huge is coming, so please wait just a little longer. We’re going to make our coming-of-age celebration a fun one,” raising fans’ anticipation for their 20th-anniversary activities.
BIGBANG will officially kick off their 20th-anniversary project on the 14th. From that day until the 23rd, they will host special events celebrating their 20th anniversary in the Jamsil area of Songpa-gu, Seoul. They plan to create a festive atmosphere with a variety of programs, including a media exhibition, photo zones, a merchandise shop, lighting displays at Seokchon Lake, and a “message to space” installation.
At the Art Hall on the 6th floor of Jamsil Avenue L, a media exhibition organized by Creative MUT will welcome visitors. A wide range of content will be on display, from archival videos chronicling the group’s journey over the past 20 years to behind-the-scenes footage of performances and new still photos. On the B1 level of Lotte World Mall, a merchandise shop tied to the exhibition will be open, and limited-edition desserts created in collaboration with bakery brands will be available.
On the 5th-floor bridge connecting Jamsil Avenue L and Lotte World Mall, a large-scale interactive event embodying “COSMOS”—the main theme of the 20th-anniversary project—will take place. When fans leave messages of support for BIGBANG on a tablet, they are converted into the “Arecibo Code”—a format resembling a cosmic message—to complete the media art installation.
Sponsored by Songpa-gu, a lighting event inspired by the “Bang Bong” (official light stick) will take place around Dongho Lake and the lakeside stage. Special lighting will be activated starting at 8:19 p.m. on the 19th, their debut anniversary. A “Bang Bong Crown” sculpture will be installed at the lakeside stage to create a photo spot where fans can capture memories.

On the 19th, their debut anniversary, they will release a new digital single featuring the track “BiiiG.” This marks Big Bang’s first new release in four years and four months since the release of “Spring Summer Fall Winter” in April 2022.
YG Entertainment (YG) stated, “‘BiiiG’ is the song that most vividly captures BIGBANG’s current state as they celebrate their 20th debut anniversary,” adding, “Please look forward to the even more expansive musical world BIGBANG will unveil.” Regarding the song title “Big,” they explained, “It was inspired by the word ‘BIG,’ which means ‘large’ or ‘huge,’ and naturally aligns with the identity of the group Big Bang.”
BIGBANG is building anticipation for their comeback by releasing a series of teaser content, including group visual photos. Since their previous album, “Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter,” swept the top spots on major domestic music charts without any significant broadcast promotions, attention is now focused on the success their new song will achieve.
On the 19th at 8 p.m., the day of the new song’s release, a 20th-anniversary fan event titled “BIGBANG 20th Anniversary X Han River Collaboration with Coupang Play” will be held at the Mulbit Stage in Yeouido Hangang Park, Seoul. The event will feature DJ performances reinterpreting BIGBANG’s signature songs, a video showcasing their 20-year career since debut, media art, a large-scale drone show, and fireworks.
Tickets for this free event sold out within six minutes of going on sale. A live online broadcast will also be available for fans who cannot attend in person. Coupang Wow members can watch for free via Coupang Play.

◇First World Tour in 9 Years… Momentum Continues with Urban Exhibition
The excitement of the 20th-anniversary project continues with stadium concerts. BIGBANG will kick off their new world tour, “XX: Cosmos,” over three days from the 21st to the 23rd at the Main Stadium of the Goyang Sports Complex.
This marks Big Bang’s first group-wide world tour in about nine years. They are expected to perform their new song “Big” alongside their classic hits at the Goyang concert. The tour will span a total of 33 shows across 19 cities worldwide. Big Bang will travel across North America, Europe, Oceania, and Asia to meet with fans.
But the world tour isn’t the end of the festivities. From the 24th through the 27th of next month, Big Bang will host the main exhibition of their 20th-anniversary media exhibition, “Cosmos,” at “Dududu Seoul,” an underground cultural complex located between Seoul City Hall Station and Euljiro-ipgu Station.
In the exhibition hall—spanning approximately 1,000 pyeong and measuring 335 meters in total length—the group will showcase virtual reality experiences, real-time hologram shows, and audio-visual content that capture Big Bang’s musical journey and memories with their fans. Interactive content will also be available, including a space where fans can leave personal messages and a participatory photo exhibition for visitors. Various commemorative merchandise, such as 20th-anniversary light sticks and limited-edition apparel, will be on sale.
A YG representative stated, “We planned this large-scale promotion so that we can share and connect with fans over the past 20 years of history and the musical story that lies ahead,” adding, “We hope not only fans but also the general public who enjoy BIGBANG’s music will join us in celebrating.”
Within the music industry, there is a consensus that this project will serve as an opportunity to reexamine the legacy and influence Big Bang has left on K-pop history.
Pop music critic Lim Hee-yoon commented, “BIGBANG is a second-generation group that occupies a pivotal position in the history of K-pop idols,” adding, “They pioneered the concept of the so-called ‘self-produced idols,’ in which members are directly involved not only in songwriting and composing but also in fashion, styling, and choreography.” He continued, “They also stood out for not merely combining the appeal of various genres—such as hip-hop, R&B, and electro-pop—for the sake of performance, but for infusing them with their own unique style.”
Furthermore, critic Lim predicted, “As K-pop’s global reach expands, the number of fans seeking out music not only from currently active groups but also from previous generations in the K-pop lineage is growing,” adding, “Amid this trend, the 20th-anniversary project they are unveiling will have a positive impact on enhancing the sustainability of the BIGBANG brand.”