VIPs were caught by surprise by this sudden (and quite casual) announcement.
On May 31, 2023, South Korean rapper, producer, and actor Choi Seung-hyun, professionally and more famously known as T.O.P., “announced” that he has left BIGBANG through an Instagram comment. He had also announced that he is “in the process of making an album.”
TOP confirms he left Bigbang in IG commentshttps://t.co/xMTc2KOMGk pic.twitter.com/M5rw75ytem
— pannchoa (@pannchoa) May 31, 2023
A fan had asked T.O.P. if he had left BIGBANG, to which he replied with (in all caps), “I’ve already withdrawn. I’ve already told you guys that I’m leaving and I’m facing a new chapter in my life since last year.”
This had surprised everyone, especially with the famous rapper implying that it had already been revealed before.
In February 2022, YG Entertainment had announced that T.O.P. had ended their contact with them but will be continuing to participate in BIGBANG group activities. The 4-member boy group then released a new song, “Still Life,” which was their first release as a quartet and their first song after 4 years.
After his comment, T.O.P. had posted Instagram stories crossing out “BIGBANG” next to his name.
VIPs and K-Pop stans were taken aback by T.O.P.’s sudden revelation, with many of them heading to Twitter to voice out their reactions and their feelings about it. Others also mentioned G-Dragon, Taeyang, and Daesung—the remaining members of the boy group.
T.O.P confirms he has officially left BIGBANG to face a new chapter in life via Instagram. pic.twitter.com/LILmk1Es7d
— Pop Base (@PopBase) May 31, 2023
I never imagine this day to come💔
Till whenever Bigbang💛#TOP #GDRAGON #SEUNGI #TEAYANG #DAESUNG #BIGBANG
— bad bitch VIP💅 (@daesungwife) May 31, 2023
So this is BIGBANG last group photo 🥲🥺 pic.twitter.com/yaIQAylWs1
— BIG5ANG SL (@BIGBANGOT5FOR) May 31, 2023
Top confirm he is no longer a BIGBANG member. I wish him all best, and will always support his music when he decide to release it. pic.twitter.com/qYlfoOUpvM
— KLIFE (@8KLIFE) May 31, 2023
At this point, I am just grateful that STILL LIFE happened. If U were here in 2017-2019 when sh*t happened, I thought we’re never gonna see them anymore but they came back to us, maybe not the way we would have wanted, but THEY CAME BACK. Still forever grateful BIGBANG 💛💛💛💛💛 pic.twitter.com/WcGDfp1vZb
— Kristine 💛STILL LIFE💛 (@TinKangDaesung) May 31, 2023
top when someone says bigbang around him pic.twitter.com/luA1djCROm
— 🛸 (@seoulmogul) May 31, 2023
During the announcement of him leaving YGE they mentioned TOP will join BIGBANG activities "whenever he's able." So obviously right now and i bet for the next years he can't. That's all he's asking, just give him the time and space he wants for himself. He deserves it. pic.twitter.com/K4hMYNLfEj
— Jikwon•° (@xxbjikwon_) May 31, 2023
You shouldn't have wrote the lyrics like this…this hurts even more now
"Because I've no regrets from loving u..Only take the good memories..I can bear it in some way..I can stand it someway"💛🥺
UNTIL WHENEVER #BIGBANG pic.twitter.com/4dgWhZmd0G
— Butterfly (◕ᴗ◕)💛GDragon✌ (@Coup_dEtat5) May 31, 2023
Don’t look back and leave- Haruharu BIGBANG 😭 pic.twitter.com/PXUJ4aCdXG
— 🍀Lyna🍀LSH (@lynariri91) May 31, 2023
Ah yes, the bigbang viral tweets: taeyang yeorobun, g-dragon olive oil, daesung bangs, and TOP leaving bigbang in all caps! pic.twitter.com/QpfV0X5KE2
— Naz 🌳 | BANGCHELLA TRUTHER (@nazsneak) May 31, 2023
I never imagine this day to come💔
Till whenever Bigbang💛#TOP #GDRAGON #SEUNGI #TEAYANG #DAESUNG #BIGBANG
— bad bitch VIP💅 (@daesungwife) May 31, 2023
As a reminder, he just said last year that there wouldn't be a Bigbang TOP for the time being. He never officially declared his departure from BB until today. Regardless, he had already made the announcement.
— sin (@kjyvsn) May 31, 2023
top in his room rn after creating world war 3 in vip world🤣 pic.twitter.com/Rsk54ZJcv4
— Alayna._Multi (@AlaynaBIGBANG) May 31, 2023
#TOP had enough of all our speculations, so once and for all, he finally said that "he left BIGBANG to face a new chapter of his life"
It's never gonna be easy but this is the reality that we have to face 😭💔
#TTTOP #탑 #최승현 #CHOISEUNGHYUN pic.twitter.com/bXtkPoBW82
— deechoi🥀 (@_you_like_TOP) May 31, 2023
TOP declares on Instagram that he has already left BIGBANG. Is in the process of making solo album. pic.twitter.com/WdA1Tm0VYC
— Tamar Herman (@TamarWrites) May 31, 2023
another one,
it says “BIGBANG TOP” but he removes BIGBANG on it. 😭 HELP— https://t.co/0rhzCOPyLT pic.twitter.com/1DIIYFuzPl
— 🚬 (@liquorseunghyun) May 31, 2023
Let VIPs feel sad about TOP’s statement. Stop policing their feelings. Having emotions about things is normal. If you ain’t sad then good for you. Now leave people who wanna embrace their emotions about it
— 👑BIGBANG❤VIPS👑 (@GeorginaChoi88) May 31, 2023
I don't know why people are acting surprised. He already said it before that it might take a while before he comes back as TOP of BIGBANG. And right now, he's focusing on his own career as Taeyang did. Why are you getting mad at him for? A true fan should know him better.
— ☪️hel 💕 (@chel_seunghyun) May 31, 2023
I think it is very valid to get shocked with how TOP is announcing his departure when they officially announced he was just leaving YG but not Bigbang. Of course most VIPs will be heartbroken that he’s suddenly out of the group when we all thought he will just be on hiatus
— 兄さん千葉ソロコン行く| YeSoloCon Chiba ✈💙 (@jiyong_aesong) May 31, 2023
Good luck on your future music endeavors, T.O.P.! VIPs will always be waiting and looking forward to your music!
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