T.O.P, who left BIGBANG, says he will 'always support' members on world tour

T.O.P, who left BIGBANG, has shared his thoughts on the group's 20th-anniversary world tour.

Japan's TV Asahi Channel 1 aired footage Saturday from T.O.P's fan meeting in Japan, titled "Re:Union."

The event was held in July at Pia Arena MM in Yokohama, Japan. In an interview that day, T.O.P spoke about his current activities, his solo career and his thoughts on BIGBANG's world tour.

Asked about the world tour, T.O.P said he plans to continue as a solo artist going forward. "I can't stand side by side with the members on the same stage, but I will always cheer for and support their activities and music," he said.

T.O.P also reflected on his long hiatus, saying he had passed through "a dark period unlike anything I had experienced before," and that the darkness had ultimately helped him grow.

He went on to say that making music during that time allowed him to rediscover a sense of being alive, describing how he healed himself through his work.

"Every time I did that, it felt like I could breathe again," he added. "That's how I was able to get back on my feet."

T.O.P debuted as a member of BIGBANG in 2006. He later suspended his activities after receiving a 10-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, on marijuana charges in 2016.

He participated in BIGBANG's digital single "Spring Summer Fall Winter (Still Life)" in April 2022, then officially left the group in 2023.

BIGBANG, marking its 20th anniversary this year, is currently on a world tour as a trio consisting of G-Dragon, Taeyang and Daesung. T.O.P, meanwhile, has been pursuing his own solo 20th-anniversary tour.