BIGBANG Celebrates 20th Anniversary with 'COSMOS' Concert

By Choi Songhee Posted : August 24, 2026, 00:04 Updated : August 24, 2026, 00:04
"Well, I said, I would be back."

The legend has returned. Celebrating their 20th anniversary, the group BIGBANG marked their comeback with a powerful performance that showcased their enduring status in the music industry.

From August 21 to 23, BIGBANG held their 20th anniversary world tour 'XX: COSMOS IN GOYANG' at the Goyang Sports Complex in Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang City. The group infused their heartfelt appreciation for their long-time fans throughout the show, revisiting their iconic hits and demonstrating their strong stage presence.

The concert opened with 'FANTASTIC BABY.' Dressed in white outfits adorned with silver beads, three members took the stage alongside a large group of dancers, capturing the audience's attention from the very first performance. Their individual styles shone through even within the restrained white tones. Following this, popular tracks such as 'HANDS UP,' 'TONIGHT,' 'BLUE,' 'LOSER,' 'IF YOU,' 'BAD BOY,' and 'BAE BAE' were performed, eliciting enthusiastic sing-alongs and cheers from the crowd.

Despite transitioning from a five-member to a three-member group, the absence was hardly felt on stage. Any recent controversies regarding live performances, particularly during G-Dragon's solo concert, were naturally overshadowed by the group's reunion. The long hiatus seemed irrelevant as they seamlessly connected with the audience, creating a sense of stability as if they had never left.

G-Dragon welcomed the audience, saying, "This is BIGBANG's 20th anniversary tour. We started in 2006, and here we are in 2026. Welcome once again to COSMOS." Daesung added, "Today, we will present the full COSMOS experience," setting an upbeat tone for the concert.

Taeyang expressed his excitement, stating, "It’s great to meet you again with a new look and new stage for our 20th anniversary. Due to regulations at the Goyang Sports Complex, we had to shorten our talk time by 30 minutes, but since this is our final performance, we can have more fun depending on your reactions. I will give it my all today, so please sing along even louder."

Following performances of their hit songs 'Haru Haru' and 'Lie,' the members showcased their musical diversity through solo stages.

Daesung displayed his vocal range with 'Universe,' 'Wings,' 'Excessive,' and 'Look at Me, Gwisoon.' Taeyang delivered a powerful performance with 'BAD,' 'RINGA LINGA,' and 'LIVE FAST DIE SLOW,' while G-Dragon unleashed his energy with 'POWER,' 'Crayon,' and 'Crooked.' Even as solo artists, they demonstrated their commanding stage presence, leaving the audience in awe.

The members actively participated in the setlist and overall production, resulting in a meticulously crafted stage and sound quality. A top-tier band session, led by Wow Jones, who has collaborated with artists like Usher and Post Malone, enriched the live performances.

Additionally, Mike Carson, who directed the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show, and Es Devlin, known for her work on the 2012 London Olympics closing ceremony, contributed to the production. A 23-ton mobile LED screen, utilizing multi-motor torque synchronization technology, created a visually immersive 'COSMOS' experience alongside dozens of dancers.

In the latter part of the concert, the members shared their honest reflections on their reunion. Daesung remarked, "We wrapped up our activities with a short web entertainment show 'Pinggae Go' while releasing a new song for our 20th anniversary. It’s been a while since the three of us came together; how did you find it?" The audience responded with mixed feelings of nostalgia and disappointment over the brief nature of the reunion. Fans urged G-Dragon to quickly write new songs.

When asked if it was disappointing to conclude their activities so soon, Taeyang joked, "It’s a shame to end with just one new song, 'BiiiG.' If we stop here, it’s not even XS or M in size." G-Dragon added, "As you know, when we decide to do something, we do it right away," leaving the door open for future activities.

Taeyang reflected, "It’s been 8 years and 8 months since our last performance. We were born in 1988; can we perform until we’re 88?" He smiled and continued, "Every moment with you has flown by so quickly. Twenty years have passed in the blink of an eye."

The stage was then filled with non-stop performances of 'BANG BANG BANG,' 'STUPID LIAR,' 'Manjeongsin,' and 'WE LIKE 2 PARTY.'

Amidst the cheers of fans, the new 20th anniversary song 'BiiiG' was performed for the first time. Released unexpectedly on August 19, the digital single 'BiiiG' topped major music charts in South Korea and reached number one in 24 regions on the iTunes song chart, marking their successful return. On Melon, it recorded the highest number of users within the first hour of release among songs released in 2026, quickly climbing to the top of the daily chart.

After the performances of the new song and 'HOME SWEET HOME,' the stadium erupted with calls for an encore.

Returning to the stage in more casual attire, BIGBANG delivered an encore that evoked the raw energy of their early days. The encore songs 'Heaven,' 'Red Sunset,' 'Last Farewell,' 'FEELING,' and 'Still Life' left a lasting impression on the audience.

Starting with this concert in Goyang, BIGBANG will embark on a massive world tour, performing 33 shows across 19 cities worldwide, including North America, Europe, Oceania, and Asia. Additional locations will be announced in due course.




* This article has been translated by AI.

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