'G-Dragon was talented and stood out even then,' says actress who was his middle school homeroom teacher

Actress Kwon Gyeong-ha has revealed that she was the homeroom teacher of BIGBANG's G-Dragon, whose real name is Kwon Ji-yong, during his middle school years.

A video titled "G-Dragon's middle school homeroom teacher reveals the story of Kwon Ji-yong back then — behind-the-scenes stories made public for the first time" was uploaded to the YouTube channel Lazy Rabbit on Wednesday.

Appearing as a guest, Kwon said she taught Kwon Ji-yong from his first through third year of middle school while working at Seoul National Music Arts Middle School, now known as National Traditional Arts Middle School, and confirmed she had been his homeroom teacher — a revelation that visibly surprised host Yoo Seung-min.

"He was full of talent and stood out even back then," Kwon said. "We even performed together in a production called 'Sijip Ganeun Nal' (The Day of the Wedding), and his acting was really impressive."

She recalled that G-Dragon transferred to another school in his first year of high school because he had many other commitments at the time.

"Whenever G-Dragon appeared on TV, I felt so proud," she added.

Kwon also said that whenever there was a school event, G-Dragon was always on stage dancing or performing. "There was always one friend who came with him, and I think that friend was Taeyang," she said. "He participated in every single school performance for all three years without missing one."

She closed with a personal message: "Ji-yong, I'm so happy that you've grown into such a wonderful person, and I'm always cheering you on."

Meanwhile, Kwon, born in 1965, graduated from Dongguk University's department of theater and film and worked as an actor in theater and television drama series before spending 15 years as a university professor. She has since been involved in theater and radio, and currently serves as chair of the Yeongdeungpo Theater Association, working as both an actor and a producer.