Taeyang

Taeyang (BIGBANG), born Dong Young-bae on May 18, 1988, is the main vocalist and main dancer of the K-pop group BIGBANG, and one of the most respected R&B vocalists in Korean music. Fans often call him by his solo stage name, SOL, which is Korean for “sun” — a fitting name for one of the genre’s warmest, most soulful voices.

Taeyang started training at YG Entertainment at age twelve, working alongside G-Dragon for six years before both debuted together in BIGBANG on August 19, 2006. Although he trained as a rapper early on, he found his true voice as a vocalist, quickly becoming known for his smooth, R&B-influenced delivery. His solo debut EP, Hot (2008), gave him his first solo hit with “Only Look at Me,” and he’s been building an acclaimed solo catalog ever since.

His first full album, Solar (2010), became the first album by an Asian solo artist to top iTunes charts in North America. He followed it with Rise (2014), which broke Billboard chart records for Korean solo artists and produced the massive hit ballad “Eyes, Nose, Lips.” After White Night (2017) and his military service, Taeyang made a strong comeback in 2023 with “Vibe” featuring BTS’s Jimin, followed by the EP Down to Earth and, in 2026, his fourth studio album, Quintessence.

Beyond music, Taeyang is known for his humble, hardworking image and his devout Catholic faith. He married actress Min Hyo-rin in 2018, and the couple welcomed their first child in 2021. Whether performing as part of BIGBANG or building his solo legacy under The Black Label, Taeyang remains one of K-pop’s most consistently respected vocal talents.