Dear V.I.Ps,

Where would I've been if Young Bae and I debuted together?

Would we've been as successful?

Would we've been as loved?

Would we've had a fandom as brilliant as our V.I.Ps?

I'm not sure of the answers to these questions, but on a day like this, it makes me wonder. Nevertheless, I can't be happier on how things have turned out. Sure I was bitter about the arrangement in the beginning but when it was time for selections on how many of us would be able to debut together, I honestly wished it to be all of us. We had spent so much time together, aiming for the same dream, that I didn't want any of us separating. BIGBANG came into existence with a lot of love and high hopes and you helped us exceed all our expectations.

Thank you.

Since I was a child, I was trained to be in the limelight. I was trained in the field of singing and it was engraved in my head that this was where I could bloom as a person and harness all my skills and talents. I wanted to be able to proudly exhibit my talents to the world and be known as someone unforgettable in the field. Life as a trainee had been very busy and stressful but I was ready to give it my all. Shifting our plans from a duet to a group was a lot of work in the beginning but we all adjusted to it and it soon became an easy flow. I'm glad I always had Young Bae by my side to guide me on the right path when I felt things were going astray and for making me see clarity in confusion.

As the leader of BIGBANG, initially, I used to feel very conscious of all of my decisions and I was always reminded of how I had to do things perfectly and never give the members an opportunity to feel let down because of me. Since they were readily giving me all their trust, I felt damn responsible. Whatever BIGBANG has achieved till date is not just because of me but it's our collective effort as a group. I'm only an anchor for them while they are my strongest support, pushing me from behind.

Apart from us, you guys have helped us come such a long way and if it weren't for you, we wouldn't be where we're today. I thank you for sticking by our side through all our good times and bad. There've been times when I've been at my lowest and have had very depressing thoughts but reminding myself how you guys are always waiting for me and that I've your full support and love, it makes me drown myself in my work and helps me create more music and I start feeling better. I know a lot of you are always concerned about how I can be a perfectionist and a workaholic and I tend to forget about my health and it's all true. Music is my escape from my other worries in life and in music I find solace. So I do get carried away at times and I push myself to work harder and I want everything to go just right that I give health a secondary place and I realise that it's unhealthy. I'm facing the brunt of it now as I'm on a period of rest for the healing of my ankle injury as I'm writing this letter to you. Don't worry too much about me and I'm sorry for having you worked up. I'll try my best to not push myself like I did last year and will give my health enough priority. A lot of you also pointed out that I had become skinnier before enlistment but I hope you've seen my photos after enlistment. I look healthy, don't I? Seungri told you that I looked healthy, right? He had come to see me.

Talking about Seungri, how is he doing? Did you like his comeback? Have you attended any of his concerts or have you watched it online? He's working really hard and I'm so proud of all his efforts he's putting in. It's commendable! He told us he would prove to us that he can make BIGBANG survive even without us and he's proving that to us more than enough. I know he's often scared and feels alone and prefers working on projects as a group but he has been handling everything so bravely. I've made sure to make him realise that I'm not going anywhere and that I'm by his side through all his promotions. Did he joke about the fuss I made about his comeback like I did long back? Hahahaha. He's nicely going around talking about us, isn't he? This is exactly why we would get nervous whenever he would go on interviews and talk shows! That brat even had me parodied in Where R U From, oh God...

I miss him just as much as he misses me and I want you all to support him till the end. Let him know how very worthy he is to BIGBANG and that he's our glue who sticks us together. Celebrate the 12th anniversary with him in great splendour at his concert!

Remember how I told you guys that I'm not even sure of who I'm? Sometimes, my role as G-DRAGON can be very taxing and makes me exhausted because it's not really who I'm. I'm made to believe that it's supposed to be G-DRAGON before Kwon Ji Yong and that is something I really want to change. I want to just be Kwon Ji Yong and show you who Kwon Ji Yong really is. I wish I can be someone who still shines without all these shiny things on. I hope you'll accept me for who I'm and will respect and love me so. I'm indeed afraid to take off this mask of G-DRAGON but I think I want to be myself now.

I've also been thinking about my upcoming birthday! I can't believe I'm turning 30/31! I feel older and I honestly don't know what my 30s has in store for me. With you and the members by my side, I know I'll be able to overcome all hurdles and come out successful and happy. I hope you pray for me and I promise to be a leader you can always rely on, depend on and have faith in until the end. If there've been times where I've failed you, I'd like to sincerely apologise.

Lastly, I thank each and every one of you once again for giving BIGBANG a platform to proudly stand on. Let's make lots of memories in the future too! I want BIGBANG to last long just like The Rolling Stones.

Wait for me. Wait for us. We'll be back.

BIGBANG is V.I.P.

"For me, BIGBANG is a suit of armour. When I am in it, I will not fear anything. I will feel so secure inside it. No matter where I go, I can do what I need to do very confidently. That's why; BIGBANG is like a suit of armour for me."

BIGBANG is my everything. V.I.P is my everything. (I get shy saying this out loud, haha.)

This was the 'anchor and leader of BIGBANG, G-DRAGON.'

Take care and love you!

Love,

Kwon Ji Yong