#SHOWBIZ: Magical moments with G-Dragon

New Straits Times

3 days ago

AS a long-time admirer of South Korean rapper G-Dragon, stepping into Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil for his 'Übermensch' concert recently felt like a dream.
The moment the lights dimmed and the crowd roared, I knew I was about to witness something unforgettable, and G-Dragon did not disappoint.
His two-night G-Dragon 2025 World Tour 'Übermensch' event in Kuala Lumpur, presented by Hong Leong Bank, was not merely a concert but a full-blown audio-visual experience.
It served as a powerful reminder of why he remains an icon of global music and culture.
Fans started arriving as early as 1pm, with some dressed in outfits inspired by G-Dragon's eclectic fashion sense.
Many were already queuing excitedly to buy official tour merchandise, from collectible light sticks and T-shirts to exclusive fashion pieces that reflected the star's unique style.
The anticipation in the air was electric, and once the show began with the explosive opening track 'Power', the entire arena was figuratively on fire.
Backed by jaw-dropping visuals and a futuristic stage design, G-Dragon delivered a flawless performance.
He seamlessly wove between iconic hits like 'Crayon', 'Heartbreaker', and 'Crooked', as well as newer tracks including 'Too Bad' and 'Drama'.
What stood out most to me was not just the performance, but the storytelling.
This wasn't simply a setlist; it was a journey of reinvention, liberation, and self-expression.
Then came the moment that sent chills down our spines.
In the middle of the show, G-Dragon looked out into the roaring crowd and made a heartfelt announcement.
"You know what, guys, next year is Big Bang's 20th anniversary celebration. Big Bang is not just about me; it is the love of all of us.
"And we will be back together. We hope to see you guys very soon," he said as the stadium erupted.
Some fans were screaming, some were crying, but many of us just stood in awe, overwhelmed by the significance of that promise.
Throughout the night, G-Dragon's outfits were a spectacle on their own, each look reflecting a different emotion or message.
He even made the effort to speak Malay to connect with us, saying "Saya gembira jumpa korang" (I'm happy to see you all), "Syok gila" (Crazy fun), and "You all enjoy tak?" (Did you all enjoy it?).
And yes, we did; every single moment.
However, while the show was everything I had hoped for and more, I cannot ignore the voices of fellow Malaysian fans who were left disappointed, not by the artiste, but by aspects of the event experience itself.
Ticket scalping was rampant, and many fans were unable to secure tickets.
Some pointed out that signage and announcements were mostly in Chinese.
Outside the arena, hundreds of ticketless fans gathered, hoping to catch even a glimpse or sound of their idol.
I saw videos on social media showing G-Dragon's team collecting handwritten letters and fan gifts from the crowd — a small but meaningful gesture that touched many hearts.
The concert organiser, Star Planet Malaysia, has since denied that Chinese-language signage dominated the event and dismissed the scalping accusations as baseless.
"For this event, we implemented a pre-order phase exclusively for Hong Leong Bank cardholders, which was primarily targeted at Malaysian fans.
"While tickets were not strictly divided between local and international sales, certain measures were in place — such as IP filtering to help ensure better access for Malaysian-based users and reduce the impact of overseas scalpers and automated bots," its chief operating officer Carmen Liew told the New Straits Times.
Liew also addressed circulating fan-submitted photos, which appeared to show empty seating areas just one to two hours before the concert.
"These assertions are factually incorrect and presented in a misleading context. As the venue doors opened three hours before showtime, many fans had yet to arrive at the time the photos were taken.
"Furthermore, all seated zones were designated with numbered seating, allowing attendees to arrive closer to the show without concern for losing their seats," she said.
Moving forward, Liew said that the company remains in active discussions with its ticketing partner to explore viable solutions, while also reviewing the existing ticketing terms and conditions to implement measures that are both effective and practical.
Despite these minor hiccups, what I experienced inside the arena was magical.
During the final moments of 'Untitled, 2014', the crowd softly sang in unison, as our light sticks painted the venue in a gentle glow.
G-Dragon stood still on stage as the last note faded.
For me, and thousands of others, this was not just a concert.
It was a cultural moment, a reunion of memories, and a promise of something greater ahead.