Heartbreaker (G-Dragon album)

Heartbreaker
Studio album by
ReleasedAugust 18, 2009
Recorded2009
Genre
Length35:52
LanguageKorean
LabelYG
Producer
G-Dragon chronology
Heartbreaker
(2009)
Shine a Light
(2010)
Singles from Heartbreaker
  1. "Heartbreaker"
    Released: August 11, 2009
  2. "Breathe"
    Released: September 21, 2009
  3. "Butterfly"
    Released: October 23, 2009
  4. "A Boy"
    Released: November 9, 2009
Alternative cover
2011 reissue album artwork

Heartbreaker is the debut album of South Korean rapper G-Dragon, member of Big Bang.[1] The chart-topping single "Heartbreaker", became one of the best selling singles in South Korea of all time, having sold over 4 million copies since its release.[2]

Release and singles

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Although initially scheduled to be released in April, the release date was pushed back to August to coincide with his 21st birthday.[3][4] G-Dragon collaborated with several YG labelmates, including Teddy Park of 1TYM, bandmate Taeyang, and CL and Dara of 2NE1. The lead single "Heartbreaker" landed at number-one on multiple charts, including the Mnet and Melon Music chart, while "Breathe" was ranked in the Top 20.[1] "A Boy" described the personal struggles he went through as he started in the entertainment industry at the age of 6, eventually becoming a trainee at YG Entertainment when he was 12.[5] "The Leaders", which featured Teddy and CL, referenced Girls' Generation's song "Gee", Kim Kyu Jong (of SS501)'s "Wuss Up", and 2NE1's "I Don't Care".

Controversy

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G-Dragon was accused of plagiarism by Sony Music, as his tracks "Heartbreaker" and "Butterfly" were thought to be similar to Flo Rida's "Right Round" and Oasis's "She's Electric", respectively.[6][7] EMI, who also owned the rights to "Right Round" stated they saw no similarities between the two songs.[8] In response, Sony Korea denied G-Dragon the ability to promote the track any further without paying reparations. On September 21, 2009, Sisa Magazine, a news program on MBC, stated that officials from Sony reportedly sent YG Entertainment warning letters about plagiarism. Sony's legal representative stated, "It was a hard decision for the music critics." However, they decided that there were similarities and accordingly issued a warning letter to the production company and composers. However, YG Entertainment claimed nothing had been decided or legally determined and that the "letter" which YG received from Sony was not considered legal action; they also stated they have not received a direct response from the American publishers regarding the matter.[9] On March 6, 2010, YG Entertainment announced that they personally contacted Flo Rida's representatives and that he will appear as a featured artist in a new version of "Heartbreaker", to be released as a bonus track on G-Dragon's concert album Shine a Light. On May 22, G-Dragon appeared as a special guest at Flo Rida's concert in Korea and performed the new version of "Heartbreaker".[citation needed]

Accolades

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Awards
Year Award-giving body Category Result Ref.
2009 Hanteo Music Awards Hanteo Award Won [10]
Mnet Asian Music Awards Album of the Year Won [11]
Melon Music Awards Album of the Year Won [12]

Track listing

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All lyrics are written by G-Dragon; "The Leaders" co-written with Teddy and CL

No.TitleMusicArrangementLength
1."A Boy" (소년이여; Sonyeoniyeo)
Choice373:29
2."Heartbreaker"
  • G-Dragon
  • Jimmy Thornfeldt
Jimmy Thornfeldt3:22
3."Breathe"
  • G-Dragon
  • Jimmy Thornfeldt
Jimmy Thornfeldt3:27
4."Butterfly" (featuring Jin Jung)
  • Choice37
  • G-Dragon
Choice373:42
5."Hello" (featuring Dara)
Kush3:17
6."Gossip Man" (featuring Kim Gunmo)
Teddy3:31
7."Korean Dream" (featuring Taeyang)
  • G-Dragon
  • Jimmy Thornfeldt
Jimmy Thornfeldt3:16
8."The Leaders" (featuring Teddy and CL)TeddyTeddy3:48
9."She's Gone" (featuring Kush)
  • Kush
  • G-Dragon
Kush3:44
10."1 Year Station" (1년 정거장; Ilnyeon Jeonggeojang)
  • Kush
  • G-Dragon
Kush4:04
Total length:35:52

Sales

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Country Sales amount
South Korea 309,343[2]

Release history

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Region Date Format Distributing Label Ref.
South Korea August 18, 2009 (2009-08-18) digital download YG Entertainment [13]
August 21, 2009 CD
[14]
June 20, 2011 (Reissue) CD
[15]
Taiwan September 28, 2012 (2012-09-28) CD+DVD (limited edition) Warner Music Taiwan [16]

References

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  1. ^ a b Han Sang, Hee (October 28, 2009). "G-Dragon Shines on First Album". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on September 16, 2012. Retrieved November 5, 2009.
  2. ^ a b "BIGBANG Sales Thread". Onehallyu. Archived from the original on 2017-07-29. Retrieved 2017-09-03.
  3. ^ [1] Archived 2012-03-22 at the Wayback Machine (English) Kim, Lynn. G-Dragon Vol. 1 - Heartbreaker Yes Asia. Retrieved January 2, 2010.
  4. ^ G-Dragon of Big Bang to Release Solo Album Archived 2016-02-16 at the Wayback Machine KBS World. Retrieved January 2, 2010.
  5. ^ Han, Sang-hee. G-Dragon to Hold 1st Solo Concert The Korea Times. Retrieved January 2, 2010.
  6. ^ YG Hits Sony Over Plagiarism Allegations . The Korea Times. September 25, 2009. Retrieved September 29, 2009.
  7. ^ Lee Sung, Moo (October 28, 2009). "Is Plagiarism a New Genre?". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on November 1, 2009. Retrieved November 7, 2009.
  8. ^ (in Korean) 지드래곤, '표절이라 단정하기엔 섣부른 판단!' Archived 2019-11-24 at the Wayback Machine. 한경닷컴. August 21, 2009. Retrieved Oct 2, 2009.
  9. ^ (in Korean) “표절 경고장 불쾌”…양현석 뿔났다 Archived 2012-07-17 at archive.today. donga.com. September 25, 2009. Retrieved October 2, 2009.
  10. ^ "2009 Hanteo Award". Archived from the original on June 16, 2017. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  11. ^ "2009 M.net Korean Music Festival Winners list" Archived 2013-01-27 at the Wayback Machine. MAMA. Retrieved 2014-06-12.
  12. ^ Han, Sang-Hee (2009-11-22). "Music Awards Has Fresh Yet Disappointing Start". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on 2012-09-26. Retrieved 2009-12-13.
  13. ^ "1st Album : Heartbreaker". YG Entertainment. Archived from the original on 2017-02-21. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
  14. ^ "G-Dragon - Heartbreaker". Discogs. Archived from the original on 2017-09-03. Retrieved 2017-09-03.
  15. ^ "G-Dragon - Heartbreaker". Discogs. Archived from the original on 2017-09-03. Retrieved 2017-09-03.
  16. ^ "Warner Music Taiwan - G-Dragon". Warner Music Taiwan. Archived from the original on 22 August 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
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