On December 16, 2025, global fashion and lifestyle authority Hypebeast unveiled its prestigious “Hypebeast 100” (HB100) for the year, confirming G-Dragon’s continued dominance as a premier force in contemporary culture.
By securing a spot on the 2025 list, the BIGBANG leader has achieved an unprecedented ninth appearance, setting a historic record that remains unmatched by any other K-pop artist.
A Historic Milestone in Global Influence
The HB100 is an annual curation of 100 individuals who have most significantly shaped the world of fashion, streetwear, music, art, and design over the past twelve months.
G-Dragon first entered this elite circle in 2013 and has been consistently recognized in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and now 2025.
What makes this ninth selection particularly notable is the nature of G-Dragon’s influence.
While the list is typically dominated by professional designers, creative directors, and industry executives, G-Dragon stands as a rare example of an artist whose recognition is rooted in his “music-driven creative trajectory.”
Hypebeast highlighted that throughout 2025, he demonstrated a “singular presence” that transcends the boundaries between pop culture and high-end luxury.
2025: The Year of “Übermensch”
The Hypebeast selection credited much of G-Dragon’s 2025 momentum to his monumental musical return.
In February 2025, he released his long-awaited third full-length studio album, Übermensch—his first solo LP in 12 years.
G-Dragon (Credit: YouTube)
The album, which translates philosophical themes of self-transcendence into avant-garde hip-hop and pop, was hailed by critics as a masterpiece of identity and artistry.
Following the album’s release, G-Dragon embarked on the “G-DRAGON 2025 WORLD TOUR [Übermensch].” The tour was a massive commercial and cultural success:
- Global Reach: The tour spanned 39 shows across 17 cities in 12 countries.
- Attendance: He met over 825,000 fans worldwide, proving that his star power has only intensified during his hiatus.
- Symbolic Finale: The tour concluded with three nights of sold-out encore concerts at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul from December 12 to 14, 2025.
Beyond the Stage: Fashion, Art, and Diplomacy
G-Dragon’s impact in 2025 extended far beyond concert arenas. Hypebeast emphasized his role as a “creative benchmark” through several high-profile projects:
- Exclusive Collaborations: He partnered with Jacob & Co. to release the bespoke PEACEMINUSONE Pendant collection and collaborated with Gentle Monster on custom, non-retail eyewear.
- Artistic Expansion: His creative label, PEACEMINUSONE, continued to lead fine art projects that bridged the gap between streetwear and high-end gallery culture.
- Cultural Diplomacy: In October 2025, he delivered a symbolic performance at the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, showcasing how his artistry has expanded into social and diplomatic realms.
Setting the Direction for 2026
By standing alongside global icons like Pharrell Williams, Travis Scott, and A$AP Rocky on the HB100, G-Dragon has reaffirmed that he is not just a “K-pop star,” but a definitive architect of modern culture.
As he prepares for upcoming appearances at the Melon Music Awards (MMA) on December 20, the industry is watching to see how the “King of K-pop” will continue to redefine the standards of global creativity in 2026.
On December 17, 2025, a significant legal chapter concluded for the K-pop group OMEGA X as member Hwichan was officially cleared of sexual assault allegations made by his former agency, SPIRE Entertainment.
The ruling marks a major victory for the idol and his current management, IPQ, following a turbulent year of legal battles and public scrutiny.
The Prosecution’s Ruling: A Non-Indictment Decision
The Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office officially issued a non-indictment ruling regarding the criminal complaint filed against Hwichan.
According to the official statement released by OMEGA X’s current agency, IPQ, the prosecution found Hwichan “not guilty” due to a lack of evidence.
The investigation, which lasted several months, concluded that the claims brought forward by SPIRE Entertainment could not be substantiated.
This decision effectively ends the criminal proceedings that had been hanging over Hwichan’s career, providing him with a full legal clearance of the charges.
Origins of the Conflict: Retaliation and CCTV Controversy
The allegations first surfaced in March 2024, when SPIRE Entertainment held a highly publicized press conference.
During the event, the former agency accused Hwichan of indecently assaulting the company’s then-CEO (who is also the wife of the agency’s chairman).
To support their claims, SPIRE released a snippet of CCTV footage showing an interaction between the CEO and Hwichan in an office setting.
However, the narrative presented by SPIRE was immediately contested by IPQ and Hwichan.
OMEGA X’s Hwichan (Credit: Pinterest)
They argued that the footage was taken out of context and was part of a broader “smear campaign” designed to damage the reputation of the OMEGA X members.
IPQ asserted that the allegations were a retaliatory move by SPIRE Entertainment after the members successfully won a lawsuit to suspend their exclusive contracts following revelations of physical and verbal abuse by the same CEO.
Transparency Issues and the Search for Truth
Throughout the investigation, a recurring point of contention was the transparency of the evidence.
IPQ and Hwichan’s legal team repeatedly petitioned investigative authorities to obtain the full, unedited CCTV footage from the night in question.
They argued that the full video would prove that Hwichan was actually a victim of coercion and pressure rather than an aggressor.
According to IPQ’s recent statement, despite their repeated requests, the “original” and “complete” footage was never fully provided for review by the accusers.
The prosecution’s final decision to drop the charges suggests that the evidence provided by SPIRE was insufficient to meet the legal threshold for a crime.
Moving Forward: A Fresh Start for OMEGA X
The clearing of Hwichan’s name is seen as a pivotal moment for OMEGA X. Since late 2022, the group has been embroiled in a high-profile struggle for independence, alleging that they were subjected to a toxic and abusive environment at SPIRE Entertainment.
With this legal hurdle now cleared, Hwichan and his bandmates are expected to focus entirely on their musical activities under IPQ.
Fans (FOR X) have expressed overwhelming support on social media, celebrating the ruling as a vindication of the members’ courage to speak out against their former management.
IPQ has signaled that they will continue to take a firm stance against any further attempts to defame their artists, prioritizing the protection and mental well-being of the OMEGA X members as they move forward in their careers.
