T.O.P has confirmed his departure from BIGBANG, and VIPs are expressing their anger for THIS reason.
Here's the full story.
TOP Reveals He Has Withdrawn From BIGBANG Since 2022: 'I've already told you guys'
T.O.P confirmed he has left the K-pop group BIGBANG.
On May 31, a fan took to Instagram to ask about the idol's status as a BIGBANG member.
"T.O.P, did you leave BIGBANG?"
To this, the idol confirmed.
"I have already withdrawn."
He made a follow-up comment after dropping the bombshell news.
"I've already told you guys that I'm leaving BIGBANG. I'm now facing a new chapter in my life since last year."
ALSO READ: BIGBANG TOP Teases Solo Comeback
As he declared the second chapter of his career, T.O.P confirmed that he's indeed embarking on a solo comeback, per the reports on the 30th.
In fact, he hinted at his possible collaboration with rapper Swings, replying on his video, saying:
"I hope that (BIGBANG) T.O.P will still contact me someday. I was a fan of him."
He then replied:
"Okay, give me a DM. I will contact you soon."
VIPs Furious At T.O.P's Departure From BIGBANG
Following the news, VIPs (BIGBANG fandom) took to social to express divided opinions regarding the T.O.P's decision. Some were are saddened, yet still supportive of his resolution to leave the group.
However, other VIPs were frustrated about T.O.P for these two reasons.
First, the fandom felt offended by how the idol revealed the news through Instagram comments and Stories, rather than a formal statement. People pointed out how they were all waiting and didn't leave his side through the years despite his indefinite hiatus, only to have an "insincere" confirmation through the app's comments section.
VIPs felt "betrayed" as YG Entertainment and T.O.P.'s past statements only directly confirmed that he was leaving the company, and didn't notify that he has already withdrawn from the group.
Fans explained that T.O.P should have closed his chapter with BIGBANG with proper communication with fans, and should have given them ample time to process the information, rather than making them feel like they didn't understand the idol's withdrawal hints since last year.
Second, it left a bad taste in VIPs how he crossed out BIGBANG's name written beside his name, as if "getting rid" of the fact that he was once a member of the group.
Fans emphasized that he was with BIGBANG for more than 16 years, and the fandom felt hurt, as if T.O.P was "erasing" his existence from the team.
- "No words can express how hurt, surprised and betrayed I felt. What makes you hate BIGBANG that much? I can't process it, why?"
- "I'm very disappointed with how you handled this situation."
- "But you said that you're leaving the company, not the group. And now you're telling us you already told us?"
Meanwhile, since 2016, T.O.P has not resumed his activities and has made several remarks suggesting his retirement from the entertainment industry.
In the end, he left the team together as his exclusive contract with YG Entertainment expired in April last year after making one final group comeback with "Still Life."
T.O.P is currently working on an album with the goal of returning to solo.
READ MORE: Virtual Disbandment? Chances of BIGBANG Reuniting Get Slimmer for THESE Reasons
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