G-Dragon faces online debate after sharing subway photos taken in the U.S.

G-Dragon became the center of a heated online debate after a series of photos uploaded during his U.S. schedule sparked mixed reactions from netizens.

On December 4, several photos were posted without any caption on an Instagram account reportedly managed by G-Dragon’s staff. The images showed the singer attending the 'Chanel 2026 Métiers d’Art Collection Show' in the United States. Among the photos, some drew particular attention: G-Dragon was seen striking a pose while standing on a subway seat with his shoes on, and in another image, he sat in a spot marked “Priority Seating,” designated for passengers with special needs.

The photos quickly ignited discussion online. Some netizens criticized his behavior, saying, “What is he doing in another country’s subway?” and “Even if it’s abroad and the subway is empty, you shouldn’t stand on seats with your shoes on.”

However, others defended the artist, suggesting the photos may have been taken under controlled circumstances. Supportive comments included, “The two people in the opposite car look like staff, so it was probably allowed,” “It seems like a temporary set created for the event,” and “Do you think G-Dragon doesn’t know basic etiquette? In the U.S., people even walk into bedrooms with their shoes on.”

This comes shortly after G-Dragon faced performance-related criticism following his appearance at the '2025 MAMA Awards in Hong Kong' on November 29. During his stages of “DRAMA,” “Heartbreaker,” and “Untitled,” he struggled with some high notes, paused singing at certain points, and relied heavily on AR vocals. The performance reignited debates about his vocal condition and live ability.

In response, G-Dragon appeared to acknowledge the disappointment, leaving a thumbs-down emoji on an official MAMA social media post featuring his stage video the following day.

The discussion surrounding G-Dragon continues, as fans and critics alike weigh in on both his recent performances and the controversial photos.