The rumors started almost the second Kwon Ji-yong stepped onto a stage.
He was different. He wore eyeliner, painted his nails, and rocked skirts before most Western male pop stars even knew what "gender-fluid fashion" meant. Because of that, the question "is G-Dragon gay" has been a constant hum in the background of his two-decade career. It's the kind of speculation that follows anyone who dares to break the mold in a conservative society like South Korea. People want labels. They want a box to put him in. But G-Dragon has spent his entire life lighting those boxes on fire and dancing in the ashes.
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He’s the King of K-pop. That title comes with a level of scrutiny that would break most people. Every blink, every friendship, and every fashion choice gets dissected by millions of fans (and anti-fans) worldwide.
The Aesthetic vs. The Orientation
If you look at the history of BIGBANG, G-Dragon was always the experimental one. He wasn't just a singer; he was an art piece. He famously said in a 2013 interview with Complex that he just buys whatever looks good, regardless of whether it was made for men or women. That’s just his vibe.
In the West, we often equate gender non-conformity with sexual orientation. It’s a bit of a lazy shorthand. In the world of K-pop "flower boys" and high fashion, wearing a Chanel women’s tweed jacket doesn't actually say anything about who you want to date. It says you have a great relationship with Karl Lagerfeld.
South Korean culture has a very specific "kkonminam" (flower boy) aesthetic. It values soft features and meticulous grooming in men. G-Dragon took that to the extreme. He pushed boundaries so far that people naturally started wondering if his stage persona reflected his personal identity. Honestly, though, his fashion is more about rebellion against boredom than it is a statement on his sexuality.
High-Profile Relationships and the Rumor Mill
Let’s look at the actual track record. G-Dragon has never officially confirmed a relationship, which is standard operating procedure for YG Entertainment artists. However, the paparazzi and "Dispatch" have been busy over the years.
- Kiko Mizuhara: This was the big one. For years, photos surfaced of them together in Tokyo, Seoul, and at various parties. They looked like a couple. They acted like a couple. They never said they were a couple. When the rumors died down, the narrative shifted to his next "supposed" girlfriend.
- Nana Komatsu: Similar story. Leaked private Instagram photos showed the two of them looking very cozy. It was another high-profile link to a Japanese model.
- Jennie from BLACKPINK: In 2021, Dispatch reported that the two had been dating for a year, often meeting at G-Dragon’s luxury penthouse in Hannam-dong.
None of these women are men.
Does that settle the debate? Not for everyone. Some fans point to his close "bromances" with fellow BIGBANG member T.O.P or other male idols as "evidence." They call it "shipping." But in Korean culture, physical skinship between male friends—holding hands, hugging, sitting on laps—is often just a sign of a deep, platonic bond. It doesn't carry the same "he must be gay" weight that it does in the US or Europe.
The "Nyongtory" Phenomenon
You can't talk about G-Dragon’s sexuality without mentioning "Nyongtory." This is the fan-made ship name for G-Dragon and former member Seungri.
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Fans created thousands of "proof" videos. They slowed down clips of them looking at each other. They analyzed every backstage interaction. It was a massive subculture. For many international fans, this was their primary reason for asking if G-Dragon is gay. But we have to be real here: "fan service" is a massive part of the K-pop industry. Idols know what the fans want to see. They play into these dynamics to keep the engagement high. It’s a performance.
G-Dragon is a master of the stage. He knows how to give the audience a show, and if that involves a bit of playful flirting with a teammate, he’ll do it. It doesn't make it his reality.
Why the Question Persists
Korea is changing, but it’s still deeply conservative in many ways. For a major idol to come out as gay would be a career-altering (and potentially career-ending) move. Look at Holland, the first openly gay K-pop idol. He’s had a much harder path than his peers.
Because G-Dragon is an icon of individuality, many people in the LGBTQ+ community look to him as a representative. They see his defiance of gender norms as a sign of solidarity. Whether he intends it that way or not, he has become a symbol of "being yourself."
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The ambiguity is part of the brand. G-Dragon has always been "G-Dragon." He’s a character. He’s Kwon Ji-yong. He’s a fashion mogul. He’s a songwriter. He’s never felt the need to clarify his preferences to the public because he doesn't owe the public his private life.
The Reality of "Queer Coding" in K-Pop
There is a lot of talk about "queer coding" in his music videos. The glitter, the colors, the eccentric movements—it all fits a certain artistic palette. Some critics argue that he uses queer aesthetics without having to deal with the actual struggles of the community. Others say he’s paving the way by making those aesthetics mainstream and acceptable.
It’s a complex nuance. You can be a straight man who loves queer culture and fashion. You can also be a closeted man using fashion as an outlet. Without a direct statement from the man himself, everything is just a guess.
What We Actually Know
If we stick to the facts, here is what we have:
- He has been consistently linked to female celebrities by major news outlets with photo evidence.
- He has never stated that he is gay.
- He has never stated that he is straight.
- He has consistently advocated for the freedom to express oneself through fashion and art.
Basically, G-Dragon lives in the grey area. He seems to enjoy the mystery. In a world where every celebrity shares what they ate for breakfast, his silence on his dating life is a power move.
The Bottom Line on G-Dragon’s Identity
Speculating on someone's sexuality based on their eyeliner or who they hang out with is usually a losing game. G-Dragon is an artist first. His work is about breaking boundaries, not fitting into them. While the rumors will likely never stop until he gets married or makes a public declaration, the evidence we do have points toward him being interested in women.
But even that is an oversimplification. G-Dragon is a person who values the soul and the aesthetic over the label. He’s been a trailblazer for nearly twenty years, and if he hasn't felt the need to "come out" or "confirm" anything by now, he probably never will.
Next Steps for Fans and Researchers:
- Ignore "Shipping" Content: If you’re looking for factual information, stay away from YouTube "proof" videos. They are edited to support a specific narrative and are not reliable sources of truth.
- Watch the Interviews: Look at his interviews with Vogue Korea or Hypebeast. He talks extensively about his philosophy on life and art. You get a much better sense of who he is as a person there than in tabloid headlines.
- Respect the Privacy: In the K-pop world, privacy is the ultimate luxury. Whether he is gay, straight, or anything else, he has clearly chosen to keep that part of his life behind a closed door.
- Focus on the Art: The best way to understand G-Dragon is through his lyrics. Songs like "Untitled, 2014" or "Divina Commedia" offer a glimpse into his psyche that a paparazzi photo never could.
G-Dragon remains an enigma. In an era of oversharing, that might be his most impressive achievement yet.