K-pop ‘Übermensch’ G-Dragon returns to PH
After an eight-year hiatus from solo touring, G-Dragon is back on the road with “Übermensch,” the South Korean pop star’s highly anticipated new series of shows that charts his artistic evolution through a heady fusion of immersive visuals and electrifying soundscapes.
As part of his world tour’s initial, nine-city Asian leg, G-Dragon, dubbed by fans and industry peers as the “King of K-pop,” will take the stage at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan on May 17—his first visit to the country since 2017. Tickets to the show (promoted by AEG and Applewood Philippines) start at P8,500 and go on sale today, 12 p.m., at SM Tickets.
Mounted in support of his third solo album of the same title, the tour and its accompanying music draw inspiration from the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche’s concept of “Übermensch,” which refers to an individual who has realized a purpose in life all his own by transcending societal expectations and human limitations.
And in the context of entertainment, the concept, in a way, reflects G-Dragon’s career, which has long been fueled by an appetite for experimentation, both musically and stylistically. A pioneering member of the seminal pop boy band BigBang, the 36-year-old artist is now a multihyphenate figure whose influence extends beyond music and intersects into other spheres like fashion, culture, and business.
The tour, whose packed setlist boasts well-loved classics like “Crooked” and new hits like “Home Sweet Home,” kicked off last March with two sold-out stadium dates in Goyang, South Korea—a testament to G-Dragon’s enduring popularity and demand as a live performer.
In a review, the Korea JoongAng Daily described the opening concert as a “masterclass in showmanship,” with G-Dragon’s “magnetic” presence and “polished” choreography persisting amid the harsh, cold weather. “A night that reinforced his status as a K-pop icon,” the Korean newspaper said.
