A Night of Art, Beauty and Transcendence — G-Dragon stole Paris’ heart

By Lucy and Ethan

Transcendence. Autonomy. Rebirth. These three words define G-Dragon’s Übermensch World Tour. And in Paris, he stole the city’s heart.

G-Dragon, one of the most influential artists of his generation, made his debut with BigBang in 2006 and launched his solo career in 2009. Eight years after his last solo world tour, he returned in 2025 with Übermensch G-Dragon World Tour. Paris was chosen as the only European stop, and the anticipation was immense. Fans from all over Europe reunited for this special night. Even before entering the arena, the excitement was palpable: freebies, merchandise, stylish outfits inspired by the Fashion King himself, daisy accessories and scarf-and-cap pairings, lightsticks glowing, chants echoing. Waiting didn’t even feel long — it felt like part of the celebration.

The venue filled to capacity. The air vibrated with stomps, shouts and songs, until the first note resonated and the world shifted. The heavy beat of POWER hit like a shockwave, the stage lit up, and suddenly G-Dragon was there, crowned like the king he is. Yes, it was real. Yes, he was in Paris. The dream had become reality. From the start, he connected with the crowd, shouting in French — “Salut,” “Bonsoir,” “Enchanté,” “Paris, ça va?” His pronunciation was flawless. His words followed one another: “It’s one of a kind Paris. I’m yours, so take it.” The crowd’s roar nearly drowned him out.

Then came tenderness. Home Sweet Home paused the frenzy and replaced it with nostalgia. On the giant screens appeared Taeyang and Daesung, as if performing beside him. Their voices blended with his in a harmony that transported the entire arena. For a moment, time itself seemed to stop, and BigBang felt whole again despite the distance. Fans held their breath, sensing a communion that was both collective and personal.

From that moment, the concert unfolded as a complete work of art, conceived as much in sound as in vision. New songs and classics blended with spectacular visuals and immersive staging. 미치GO set the tone, a track mirroring his artistic evolution. Every performance became a chapter in this rebirth, alternating between explosive energy and intimate reflection. Fans waved their lightsticks, voices echoing his words back at him, a connection forged in every note.

The scenography played a central role: five massive screens, three in the center and one on each side, filled with colors, images, symbols. Lasers, fog, pyro effects and confetti layered on top, creating a sensory journey. During Butterfly, delicate butterflies appeared on the screen, carrying the audience into a dream. Later, Korean beatboxer WING took the stage for a segment that led into Heartbreaker, a clever interlude that bridged past and present.

Each song brought its own energy. Crayon and Who You displayed G-Dragon’s mastery of playfulness and rhythm, paired with visuals that constantly shifted. Crooked was the climax — a moment of pure euphoria. The crowd jumped, sang, and danced without restraint. On stage, G-Dragon seemed to rise from virtual flames, reborn in a blaze of light, embodying the philosophy guiding this tour. The energy was both spectacular and symbolic, a release and a resurrection.

Between songs, G-Dragon shared reflections on his past and his philosophy. VCRs showed glimpses of his childhood, his early days, his beginnings as an artist. Words like “a new beginning” and “live for yourself” punctuated the visuals. He explained how the word Übermensch came to him years ago, how it became his mantra, a stepping stone shaping who he is. On stage, he went deeper:

“The Übermensch isn’t something big or difficult. It lives within all of us, in me and in each of you. Whether it’s your heart, your love, or your emotions, there’s this core, a precious starting point. And I believe that’s what the Übermensch is. Don’t lose it. Just the effort to seek it already has its own value. I’m still on that path. And I hope you are too.”

Fashion, of course, was inseparable from the show. G-Dragon transformed every appearance into a statement, going through six different outfits. He began with a red rose jacket, then a long white pearl coat, a navy military-style jacket, a white Chanel suit, a teal jacket paired with shimmering pants, and finally, for the encore, a simple “I ♡ GD” T-shirt. Each look told its own story, from sophistication to intimacy, balancing extravagance with accessibility.

One of the most touching moments came during This Love by BigBang. G-Dragon stepped down from the stage and walked directly into the arms of his fans, closing the distance between them. It was more than a gesture — it was proof of the bond uniting him with those who have followed his journey for nearly two decades.

As the concert neared its end, Untitled, 2014 filled the air with nostalgia. His voice, raw and vulnerable, carried through the arena as lights dimmed. The last note resonated while the night settled down. On the screen, his silhouette faded into darkness, leaving only his final words: “Je vous aime, je vous adore. It was GD from BigBang.”

For those present, Paris was more than just a stop on a world tour. It was an unforgettable evening where music, art, philosophy and emotion intertwined. Every song, every visual, every outfit carried meaning. It was proof that G-Dragon is not just a K-pop icon, but an artist redefining the boundaries of performance. With Übermensch, he offered more than a comeback — he delivered a manifesto, a story of rebirth and creative freedom that invited fans to find their own strength.

Fans left slowly, hearts still pounding, voices still echoing his words, walking towards their own "Home Sweet Home."