Taeyang's first appearance in the entertainment industry was in the hip-hop group Jinusean's music video "A-yo". the collaboration eventually lead him to successfully auditioning into the group's record label YG Entertainment, where he became one of the rappers alongside fellow trainee G-Dragon. The two were later coined as GDYB. In 2003, Dong provided the rap verse in singer Wheesung’s single "Player" on the latter's second album.
Although Taeyang was scheduled to debut alongside G-Dragon as the duo GDYB, the plan was scrapped by their record label. Instead, they were joined by four other trainees (T.O.P, Daesung, Seungri, and So-1) to form the group Big Bang. Before their official debut, however, Sol-1 was dropped and their final lineup consisted of five members. Choosing the stage-name Taeyang (Korean: 태양, meaning sun), Dong abandoned the idea of rapping to focus on singing. The group's formation was documented on television. Although their debut was fairly successful, the group reached mainstream success with the release of their mini-album Always, which yielded the number-one song "Lies" followed by "Last Farewell" from the mini-album Hot Issue and "Day by Day" from Stand Up, both chart-toppers.
After contributions to singer Lexy's album, Taeyang was scheduled to release a solo album. Initially scheduled for a September release, the project was pushed back due to conflicting schedules with his group. Taeyang released his debut mini-album Hot on May 22, 2008, backed by a production team that included Teddy, Yang Hyun Suk, Kush, and his fellow member G-Dragon. Moving beyond the hip-hop genre of Big Bang, Taeyang incorporated mainly R&B songs into his album, stating that it was his "main focus". He expressed disappointment with the album, however, admitting that he did not write any of the songs; he later stated that he would do so in the future to express his "thoughts and ideas."
Taeyang's first mini-album Hot was well received by fans and critics alike, winning two trophies from The 7th Korean Music Awards for the 2008 Best R&B/Soul Song (나만 바라봐, "Only Look At Me") and the 2008 Best R&B/Soul Album (Hot).(Korean) He is the first "Idol group" or boyband member to receive such awards. The first single released was "Only Look At Me" (Korean: 나만 바라봐), an R&B song written by Teddy and Kush. Taeyang stated that the lyrics come from the perspective of a man who is "selfish" for wanting his girlfriend to be with him only, regardless of how he treats her. G-Dragon later recorded a "Part Two" version to the song. The second single was "Prayer (Korean: 기도)" which featured Teddy of 1TYM. Promotional videos were shot for both. In support of his album, he also staged his first solo concert, Hot.
Throughout the majority of 2009, Taeyang contributed to his group's activities, recording the song "Lollipop" with his group and labelmate 2NE1. He later flew to Japan to promote the group's Japanese albums. After activities ended, he went back to the studio to record and release his first digital single "Where U At", followed by another digital single, "Wedding Dress". Taeyang took his first attempt at composing by co-writing both songs with Teddy. Promotional videos were filmed for both "Where U At" and "Wedding Dress." "Wedding Dress" was voted #3 on an online poll for a Dutch radio station.
Taeyang's first full-length album Solar was released on July 1, 2010. Two versions of this album - the “Regular Edition” and the “Deluxe Edition” - was released. The regular edition contained 11 songs, while the deluxe edition, limited to 30,000 copies worldwide, had 13 songs, including “Only Look At Me” and “Prayer" from the previous album Hot. On the first day of sales for the limited Deluxe Edition of Solar, the 30,000 copies released by YG entertainment were sold out in online and offline stores.
On July 7, 2010, Taeyang released his solo album Solar on the iTunes for the first time in his music career. On July 9, 2010, Solar hit second place on iTunes' Top R&B-Soul albums chart in the United States and first place in Canada, making him the first Asian musician in history to attain such an achievement. The lead-single was "I Need A Girl" featuring his bandmate G-Dragon. His labelmate Sandara Park of 2NE1 starred in the music video for "I Need A Girl." The second single, "I'll Be There" and its music video were premiered on August 19, 2010 through Taeyang's official Youtube channel.
Taeyang's first international album, Solar International, breaks new ground as it will be the first ever K-Pop music release to be sold worldwide on iTunes as both an audio and video album. The audio version (complete with a digital booklet) hit iTunes stores on August 25, 2010 while the video version (bundled with bonus, behind the scenes documentaries) will arrive by September 10, 2010. The audio album combines both English and Korean hits from his past and present albums including "I'll Be There", "Connection (feat. BIG TONE), "Wedding Dress" and "I Need A Girl (feat. G-Dragon)." On August 26, 2010, Solar's International album made it to fifth place on iTunes' Top R&B-Soul albums chart in the United States, China and Japan, and third place in Canada.
HOT
태양 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
네 눈 앞에 펼쳐질 세상에
뜨거운 태양의 불이
Hot, hot, he's hot, hot
잊지 못해 넌 나의 노랠
태양은 더 높게
I'm a hot, hot
He's hot, hot
내 이름을 불러줘
이 노랠 들어줘
볼륨을 높여줘
Music makes me high
시간이 지나고 모두가 떠나도
난 멈추지 않아
Don't stop, he can't stop
Hey 모두가 숨 죽인 순간
네 눈 앞에 누군가
나타난다면 그건 나일 테니
처음의 그 떨림으로
무대 위 설레임으로
내 열정을 불 태워
모든걸 태우고
마치 화산 같이 끓고 있었던
나의 피 이제 보여질 나의 끼
You feel me, feel me baby
너도 나와 같이 저 높은 곳을 향해 뛸 준비가 됐다면
Follow me (follow me), sing with me
내 이름을 불러줘
이 노랠 들어줘
볼륨을 높여줘
Music makes me high
시간이 지나고 모두가 떠나도
난 멈추지 않아
Don't stop, he can't stop now
The lyrics of 태양's song HOT are about the artist's passion for music and his desire to share it with others. The chorus, "내 이름을 불러줘 이 노랠 들어줘" translates to "Call my name, listen to this song." 태양 compares his passion for music to the heat of the sun, saying "뜨거운 태양의 불이 (The sun's hot flames)" and "태양은 더 높게 (The sun goes higher)". The artist demonstrates his perseverance and determination by saying "Don't stop, he can't stop" and "난 멈추지 않아 (I won't stop)" even if others leave.
The lyrics also contain a call to action for the listener to join 태양 in his passion for music. "Follow me (follow me), sing with me" shows that the artist wants to share his music with others and encourage them to also pursue their passions. The words "모든걸 태우고 마치 화산 같이 끓고 있었던 (Burning everything and boiling like a volcano)" demonstrate 태양's intense dedication to music and his willingness to give everything he has to it.
Overall, the lyrics of HOT by 태양 express his passion and dedication to music, while also inviting others to join him in this pursuit.
Line by Line Meaning
Ye, I'm ready, let's go
I am prepared and eager to embark on this adventure.
네 눈 앞에 펼쳐질 세상에
In the world that unfolds before your eyes,
뜨거운 태양의 불이
the fiery passion of the scorching sun
Hot, hot, he's hot, hot
Hot, hot, he exudes heat and energy.
잊지 못해 넌 나의 노랠
You won't forget my song.
태양은 더 높게
The sun rises higher.
I'm a hot, hot
I am fiery hot.
He's hot, hot
He exudes heat and energy.
내 이름을 불러줘
Call my name.
이 노랠 들어줘
Listen to this song.
볼륨을 높여줘
Turn up the volume.
Music makes me high
The music makes me feel elevated.
시간이 지나고 모두가 떠나도
Even after time passes and everyone else leaves,
난 멈추지 않아
I won't stop.
Don't stop, he can't stop
Don't stop, I can't stop.
Hey 모두가 숨 죽인 순간
Hey, at the moment when everyone is holding their breath,
네 눈 앞에 누군가
If someone appears before your eyes,
나타난다면 그건 나일 테니
It will be me who appears.
처음의 그 떨림으로
With the trembling of the beginning,
무대 위 설레임으로
And the excitement on stage,
내 열정을 불 태워
My passion catches fire.
모든걸 태우고
And everything becomes engulfed.
마치 화산 같이 끓고 있었던
Like a simmering volcano,
나의 피 이제 보여질 나의 끼
My blood and my talent will now be revealed.
You feel me, feel me baby
You feel me, feel me baby.
너도 나와 같이 저 높은 곳을 향해 뛸 준비가 됐다면
If you are ready to jump up high with me,
Follow me (follow me), sing with me
Follow me (follow me), and sing with me.
내 이름을 불러줘
Call my name.
이 노랠 들어줘
Listen to this song.
볼륨을 높여줘
Turn up the volume.
Music makes me high
The music makes me feel elevated.
시간이 지나고 모두가 떠나도
Even after time passes and everyone else leaves,
난 멈추지 않아
I won't stop.
Don't stop, he can't stop now
Don't stop, I can't stop now.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Dong Chul Kang, G-Dragon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind