Kwon Ji Yong, popularly known as G-dragon, celebrated his 28th birthday on Aug. 18.
GD was the youngest Korean rapper at the age of 13, when he collaborated with other artists for the album "Flex." In 2006, he officially became Bigbang's leader after 6 years of rigorous training with co-member, Taeyang, under YG Entertainment.
On his 21st birthday, GD released his first solo album "Heartbreaker" which sold over 200,000 copies and won as Mnet Asian Music Awards' Album of the Year in 2009. In 2012, he released his album and title track, "One of a Kind," which showered him with multiple recognitions such as Best Hip Hop Song by Korean Music and Rhythmer Awards, Best Male Solo Artist by Mnet Asian Music Awards and Record of the Year by Seoul Music Awards. His album also hit number one on Billboard World Album Chart and landed at 116 on Billboard 200 Chart.
His most recent album, "Coup D'etat," received numerous praises and awards including the World's Best Album by the World's Music Awards.
Furthermore, GD's fab to weird fashion statements make him Korea's style icon and endorser of international fashion lines. In fact, Business of Fashion named him as one of the 500 most influential people shaping the global fashion industry in 2015.
Meanwhile, his personal investments include a pension house for his parents and Cafe Monsant in Jeju Island. Bigbang Updates reported in 2013 that G-dragon is the 5th Richest Idol in Korea. On June 6, he also opened his first art exhibit, PEACEMINUSONE, at the Seoul Museum of Art.
Forbes selected GD as one of 30 under 30 enterprisers, innovators, leaders in Asia this year. Other Korean artists on the list include his band, Bigbang, YoonA, Choi Siwon, Kim Yuna, Kim Soo Hyun and Lim Hyung Joo.
With more than a thousand posts and zero following, GD is one of the most followed celebrities in Instagram with more than 10 million followers.