G-Dragon has opened up about one of the most nerve-racking moments of his television comeback, revealing why his 2024 appearance on You Quiz on the Block felt less like a routine guest spot and more like starting his broadcasting career all over again. The BIGBANG leader revisited the emotional experience during DdeunDdeun’s Pinggyego, alongside Taeyang and Daesung.
The August 22, 2026 episode, titled “Anniversary Is Just an Excuse,” brought the three BIGBANG members together with Yoo Jae-suk and Haha. As the conversation turned to G-Dragon’s return to television after a seven-year hiatus, Yoo Jae-suk remembered just how visibly nervous he had been.
More BIGBANG Milestones: This candid conversation comes not long after the trio’s biggest group moment in years. For more, read our story on BIGBANG’s return after four years with their 20th-anniversary single “BiiiG”.
G-Dragon Says His ‘You Quiz on the Block’ Comeback Felt Like Starting From Zero
Yoo Jae-suk brought up G-Dragon’s previous You Quiz on the Block appearance and admitted that the moment had stayed with him.
“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.’”
G-Dragon explained that the long break from broadcasting had made the experience feel almost completely unfamiliar. While describing his nerves, he hunched his neck and raised his shoulders before explaining:
“It was almost like my first broadcast in seven years, so I think I kept doing this.”
His October 2024 appearance was particularly significant because it marked his return to a major talk show after years away from television. It also came after the drug allegations and investigation that had placed him under intense public scrutiny in 2023.
More Solo Projects: G-Dragon isn’t the only BIGBANG member stepping back into the spotlight through unexpected collaborations. For more, read our story on T.O.P reuniting with Squid Game art director Chae Kyung Sun for the animated “Stendhal Syndrome” music video.
G-Dragon’s 2023 Drug Investigation Added More Pressure to His TV Return
The circumstances surrounding G-Dragon’s comeback made the You Quiz on the Block appearance even more closely watched.
In late 2023, he was investigated over suspected drug use and voluntarily cooperated with police. Detailed testing followed, including analyses of hair and nail samples conducted by the National Forensic Service. Those tests returned negative results.
Police ultimately decided not to refer the case for prosecution because of insufficient evidence. There was therefore no conviction or finding of wrongdoing resulting from the investigation.
Even though the case ended without charges, the period had placed G-Dragon under enormous public attention. Walking back onto a major television program after that experience meant facing an audience that was already watching his every move.
More Industry Pressure Stories: G-Dragon isn’t alone in navigating how outside noise affects an artist’s return to the spotlight. For more, read our story on why BTS’ Arirang has become the critics’ darling of 2026.
G-Dragon Previously Described Feeling “Cornered” and Unable to Move Forward
During his original You Quiz on the Block appearance, G-Dragon also spoke openly about the emotional impact of that difficult period.
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.”
Those remarks gave viewers a glimpse into how mentally exhausted and trapped he had felt. Other recollections from the appearance similarly described him as feeling unable to move forward, with a wall seemingly behind him, while trying to force himself to stay centered and avoid dangerous thoughts.
That context helps explain why returning to television could have felt so overwhelming, particularly after such a long absence.
More Candid Moments: Personal honesty from major idols has become a defining thread in recent interviews and lives. For more, read our story on BTS’ V asking fans for one simple thing, and what it says about life on tour.
Daesung Recalls How Online Reactions Made G-Dragon More Self-Conscious
Daesung then offered another perspective on what happened after the broadcast.
“At the time, there were so many comments about your gestures and the way you spoke, so you probably became even more self-conscious.”
The remark referred to online reactions that closely examined G-Dragon’s speech and gestures during his return to the spotlight. Rather than simply being viewed as a comeback interview, the appearance became something audiences dissected in detail.
That added another layer of pressure for G-Dragon, who was already returning after years away while dealing with intense public attention surrounding the earlier investigation.
Yoo Jae-suk also expressed sympathy for the burden G-Dragon must have carried as he restarted his activities after such a long break.
More Viral Moments: Not every uncomfortable question on a live broadcast gets handled with the same gravity. For more, read our story on BTS Jungkook dodging marriage talk by throwing Suga under the bus during a wild Weverse Live.
‘POWER’ Gave G-Dragon’s Comeback a Strong Musical Follow-Up
Despite the tension surrounding his television return, G-Dragon soon had another major moment in his comeback story.
His song “POWER” became part of his renewed solo activities, with Yoo Jae-suk noting that it received a strong response. The release helped shift the focus back toward G-Dragon’s music and his return as a solo artist.
Seen from that perspective, the You Quiz on the Block appearance was more than an isolated television moment. It became part of a broader comeback following a lengthy hiatus.
More Industry Standoffs: Musical comebacks aren’t the only place where artists are pushing back against how they’re perceived. For more, read our story on why BTS is rejecting the 2027 Grammys over the Recording Academy’s new Asian Pop category.
BIGBANG’s ‘Pinggyego’ Conversation Looks Back at a Difficult Comeback Chapter
The latest Pinggyego episode offered a rare opportunity to look back at that period from G-Dragon’s own perspective, as well as through the eyes of people who knew him personally.
Seven years away from regular broadcasting, the intense scrutiny surrounding his return and the public attention connected to the 2023 investigation all contributed to the pressure he felt during You Quiz on the Block. His own explanation of his nervous body language, Daesung’s comments about online reactions and Yoo Jae-suk’s recollection together provide a more personal picture of the comeback.
With Taeyang and Daesung beside him, the conversation also allowed BIGBANG’s members to revisit a difficult chapter with the benefit of hindsight. For G-Dragon, what viewers saw as a major television comeback was, by his own description, almost like stepping in front of the cameras for the very first time again.
Disclaimer
This article is based on thorough research of publicly available reporting from the August 2026 Pinggyego episode and earlier coverage of G-Dragon’s 2024 You Quiz on the Block appearance and the 2023 investigation. G-Dragon was investigated on suspicion of drug use in 2023; comprehensive testing returned negative results, and police did not forward the case for prosecution due to insufficient evidence. No conviction or finding of wrongdoing resulted from that investigation. Details of private conversations or exact phrasing may vary slightly across translations and reports. All individuals and programs mentioned retain their respective rights. Readers should refer to the primary sources for the full context of the variety show discussions.
Sources
- allkpop – G-Dragon recalls tense ‘You Quiz on the Block’ appearance after drug allegations
- Koreaboo – BIGBANG’s G-Dragon Candidly Reflects On His Controversial Variety Show Appearance
- Kbizoom – G-Dragon Looks Back on His Nervous “You Quiz” Return After Being Cleared of Drug Charges
- Music Mundial – G-Dragon recalls the tense drug allegations on “Pinggyego”
Image Credit: DdeunDdeun YouTube Channel.
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