G-Dragon faces global criticism over racially offensive stage outfit

G-Dragon has come under heavy criticism after wearing a stage outfit featuring offensive wording during an overseas performance, prompting an immediate apology from his agency.

G-Dragon took the stage on May 2 at the “K-Spark in Macau” event held at the Macau Outdoor Performance Venue. 

G-Dragon appeared on stage wearing a long inner top that covered his thighs layered with a cropped jacket, but it was the wording on his T-shirt that sparked controversy. The shirt read “RONNY, EEN GEILE NEGER__ JONGEN.” The phrase “EEN GEILE,” which is Dutch, can mean “sexually aroused” and may be perceived as inappropriate depending on context. The most problematic term, however, was “NEGER.” While it literally translates to “Black person” in Dutch, it is widely recognized as a racially offensive and derogatory term and is avoided in both formal and everyday usage. Despite this, G-Dragon wore the shirt prominently during his performance, drawing significant criticism.

In response, his agency Galaxy Corporation released an official statement on May 3, saying, “We sincerely apologize for the inclusion of wording on the artist’s stage outfit that was inappropriate in a social and cultural context.”

The agency added that the incident served as a reminder of the importance of cultural awareness and responsible review processes. “We will thoroughly examine and improve our internal procedures, including styling checks, to ensure more careful standards moving forward,” the statement read.

They concluded by emphasizing their commitment to respecting the diverse cultural backgrounds and values of global fans, once again apologizing for the concern and disappointment caused.