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Yang HS aka YG, July 16, 2009, (c) Choen]
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Of the five members of Big Bang, G-Dragon and TaeYang have been with Yang the longest. They both spent over six years as trainees at YGE. Yang says, “They’d gone through long and hard training and have grown into extremely capable musicians,” and “All I ever did was help them realize their full potentials.” Watching those two, I thought I wanted to create not a boy band that fits the conventional formula but one that grows and matures on its own. Well, I guess the first step was a success.”

Many people say the roots of Big Bang’s music lie in hip hop. But Yang does not necessarily think so. He says, “Big Bang is not a hip hop group. The only two members who have passion for hip hop music are G-Dragon and TOP.” TaeYang is deeply interested in R&B, DaeSung in ballads and trot music, and SeungRi in traditional pop, says Yang.

[Sandara aka Dara of 2NE1, July 20, 2009, (c) Choen]
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Sandara is older than any of the members of Big Bang, which is under the same label as 2NE1 but came out before them. She is closest to G-Dragon and TaeYang. She says, “We used to hang out together when we were trainees,” and “They are younger than I am but they feel like older brothers and I feel like I can depend on them.” But she still feels awkward around the oldest member TOP. “Both of us are quiet and shy and when we’re alone, it gets a bit awkward sometimes,” she says with a smile.

credits:bigbangkorean