25 Facts About Taeyang

Dong Young-bae, better known by his stage name Taeyang or SOL, is a South Korean singer.

Taeyang made his debut in 2006 as a member of the South Korean boy band BigBang.

Taeyang expressed disappointment with the album admitting that he did not write any of the songs.

Taeyang later stated that he would do so in the future to fully express and incorporate his thoughts and ideas into his music.

In Solar, Taeyang contributed to its production; composing, co-writing four songs and writing lyrics for "Take It Slow".

Taeyang won the "Best Male Artist" award at the 2010 Mnet Asian Music Awards.

Taeyang took two years to record new materials and participate in promotional activities with BigBang for their Korean EPs Tonight and Alive as well as the Japanese studio album Alive.

Taeyang then embarked on the Rise World Tour in support of the album, visiting 9 countries and 16 cities in Asia beginning in August 2014.

At the 2014 Mnet Asian Music Awards, Taeyang won Best Male Artist, Best Vocal Performance and Song of the Year for "Eyes, Nose, Lips".

Taeyang collaborated with G-Dragon in November 2014 to release the song "Good Boy" for YG Entertainment's new hip hop project.

For two years from 2015 to 2016, Taeyang toured extensively with his band for their third Korean album, performing for over 3.6 million fans in two years.

In 2015, Taeyang participated in the biennial Infinite Challenge music festival, with bandmate G-Dragon.

In January 2017, YG Entertainment announced that Taeyang is working on his new album, alongside solo concerts.

Taeyang commenced his second world tour, White Night, with stadium concerts in Japan.

Taeyang was revealed as one of the cast members of tvN's new variety program, Livin' the Double Life, along with CL and Oh Hyuk.

Taeyang began his 21 months of mandatory military service on March 12,2018, by entering the 6th Infantry Division's boot camp in Cheorwon, Gangwon Province as an active duty soldier.

Taeyang was discharged on November 10,2019, along with fellow BigBang member, Daesung.

Taeyang was described as a "feline" and ferocious live performer by The New York Times.

In 2023, Taeyang became the global brand ambassador of French fashion house Givenchy.

Taeyang's fans donated IS$5,180 on May 15,2014, under Taeyang's name to The May 18 Memorial Foundation in celebration of his birthday.

Taeyang is a devout Christian with multiple faith-inspired tattoos, including a large Christian Cross on his right rib cage and a mural-style tattoo across his shoulder blades depicting Jesus Christ on the cross, a centrally placed Christian Cross, and Jesus risen from the dead.

Taeyang has been in a relationship with actress Min Hyo-rin since 2013.

Taeyang has earned two Golden Disc Awards, three Korean Music Awards, including Male Musician of the Year by Netizen Vote in 2011, three Melon Music Awards and four MAMA Awards.

In 2017, Taeyang was appointed as an honorary ambassador for the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, being tasked with extolling the virtues of South Korea for the world.

Taeyang was named GQ Korea's Man of the Year three times in 2008,2010 and 2017 and was voted the fifth best role model of 2014 in a survey of 144 idols in South Korea.