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| ▲ This photo of K-pop singer Gdragon is provided by Galaxy Corporation Co. on Aug. 1, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Aug. 2 (Yonhap) -- K-pop Singer G-Dragon (real name Kwon Ji-yong) has received the trademark rights to his stage names "G-Dragon" and "GD" from his former agency, YG Entertainment, without any compensation.
G-Dragon, who is planning a solo comeback in the latter half of this year, will be able to freely use his established stage name in his future activities.
According to a representative from his current agency, Galaxy Corporation, "It is true that Galaxy Corporation now holds the trademark rights to 'G-Dragon' and 'GD.' This was made possible thanks to the generosity of YG Entertainment's CEO, Yang Hyun-suk, who transferred the rights without any compensation."
A YG representative confirmed, "We have transferred the trademark rights of 'G-Dragon' to Galaxy Corporation."
Currently, G-Dragon is serving as an adjunct professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) while preparing for his musical comeback. The exact date of his return has not yet been decided, according to Galaxy Corporation.
G-Dragon debuted with the group Big Bang in 2006, producing hit songs like "Lies." After his exclusive contract with YG expired, he signed with Galaxy Corporation last year.
In the music industry, conflicts over stage names during an artist's transition between agencies are not uncommon. The group Highlight had to give up their name "Beast" during a trademark dispute when they switched agencies, but they recently regained the rights from their former agency.
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| ▲ This photo, provided by Galaxy Corporation Co., shows K-pop singer Gdragon attending "Innovate Korea 2024" held in KAIST's Daejeon main campus on June 5, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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