BIGBANG Announces 20th Anniversary Comeback in 2026, G-Dragon Hints at Coachella Performance

K-pop titans BIGBANG are set to make a grand return in 2026, marking their 20th anniversary.

During his solo encore concert 'Übermensch' held on the 14th at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, G-Dragon announced, "BIGBANG will celebrate its 20th anniversary next year," adding, "We plan to hold BIGBANG's coming-of-age ceremony when we turn twenty."

He further heightened fan anticipation by stating, "We will start our warm-up in the U.S. from April next year." This is widely interpreted as a hint towards participating in the '2026 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival,' the world's largest music festival. BIGBANG was initially slated to perform at Coachella in 2020, but the show was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, presenting a potential stage debut six years later.

The 20th-anniversary comeback is expected to feature G-Dragon, Taeyang, and Daesung as a trio. Notably, Taeyang and Daesung made surprise guest appearances at G-Dragon's concert, performing BIGBANG hits and building momentum for the comeback.

However, the potential return of former member T.O.P remains a significant point of discussion within the music industry. Given his substantial contribution to BIGBANG's musical identity throughout their 20-year history, his involvement is keenly watched. T.O.P officially departed the group in 2023, and his lack of clear communication with fans during that process has led to considerable backlash within the fandom. Persistent rumors of conflict between T.O.P and the other BIGBANG members have also surfaced.

Industry insiders believe the ultimate decision rests with the current BIGBANG members, including G-Dragon. "It's true that T.O.P's musical color was distinct in BIGBANG's music," one insider commented, "The key will be whether the members wish to work with T.O.P, and whether T.O.P himself wants to return to BIGBANG."

Some view his return positively, citing T.O.P's past track record of reversing retirement declarations to resume acting. He previously made controversial remarks on social media, even stating he would not make a comeback in Korea. However, he broke that promise, resuming his acting career earlier this year with Netflix's 'Squid Game 2,' and offered an apology to the public during that time.

Conversely, negative opinions are prevalent. Given T.O.P's past controversies, including drug use, many question the necessity of his involvement in BIGBANG's celebratory 20th-anniversary return. He faced significant public criticism during his casting for 'Squid Game 2' as well.

Fans are reacting with a mix of excitement and concern, with comments like "Is this finally the full group reunion we've waited for?", "T.O.P's return... not sure about that," and "Please hold a 20th-anniversary concert!"