"We really shine when we are on stage together. We are the most passionate when performing BIGBANG music. It was a new feeling for us to perform in so many different countries," the K-pop princes say

The outing hit markets in 24 cities of 12 countries for a total of 48 shows (19 shows in Japan, six in South Korea, four in the U.S., three each in China and Hong Kong, two each in Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Taiwan and the U.K. and one each in The Philippines, Malaysia and Peru). In 10 months time, the group traveled 89,000 miles through the Americas, ইউরোপ and Asia.

The tour played arenas, domes and stadiums across the globe, wowing an estimated 800,000 অনুরাগী with a large-scale, over-the-top production featuring bedazzled LED stages, stage শ্রদ্ধার্ঘ্য and costumes. At their East Coast stop, Billboard spent time with the boys backstage and got a sense of the massive production.

BIGBANG sold out tickets for each original প্রদর্শনী and had to add additional dates due to high demand in places like New Jersey, California and Peru; an incredible feat for their first time performing outside of Asia. In Peru, BIGBANG caused quite the pandemonium. The অনুরাগী (know as VIPs) that have gathered weren't just Peruvian locals; some traveled all the way from Brazil, Ecuador, Columbia, and South American countries.

Reports ব্যক্ত thousands of অনুরাগী and local press waited outside of their hotels and pitched tents আরো than a week before the actual সঙ্গীতানুষ্ঠান that was held Nov. 14.

BIGBANG completed the tour with an emotional three-day finale সঙ্গীতানুষ্ঠান in Seoul at the end of January.

After successfully concluding the tour, BIGBANG found the time to regroup and talk to Billboard for an exclusive Q&A.

Billboard: Hello BIGBANG! Congratulations on completing such a long and successful tour! How does it feel now that it has come to a close?
BIGBANG: We realized through this world tour that we really shine when we are on stage together. We are the most passionate when performing BIGBANG music. It was a new feeling for us to perform in so many different countries. We were really excited.

আপনি hit so many different countries, visiting four different continents. Can আপনি tell us some of your experiences in the different countries?
In Peru, we couldn’t believe that there were thousands of অনুরাগী lined up at the airport, hotel and সঙ্গীতানুষ্ঠান venue. They were outside গান গাওয়া our songs! We thought we were in an amusement park while we were resting in our rooms because of all the screaming. We are extremely thankful to all the fans. It is an amazing feeling to be so welcomed.

For the সঙ্গীতানুষ্ঠান in New Jersey, due to the storm (a week after Hurricane Sandy), we had to change our flight three times and eventually get on the last flight available. 30 মিনিট before landing, the pilot announced that we would be rerouted to Buffalo because JFK Airport conditions were unsafe. This sent our staff into a panic because we were only 14 অথবা so hours away from the concert. Even if we were somehow to get on a bus, it would get us to the সঙ্গীতানুষ্ঠান venue just in time to get on stage and perform. Luckily, after we landed, there was a 50% chance that we could take off again and head toward JFK. After about an ঘন্টা of anxiously waiting, we took off to JFK. The landing was very turbulent and scary but we landed safely and all of the passengers applauded the flight crew. We were concerned if people could actually come and see us perform. After seeing the venue packed with people and seeing all of our অনুরাগী that দিন it really touched our hearts.

So many of your shows sold out so quickly, আপনি needed to add আরো dates to satisfy all the fans. What is your reaction to such a big, global response?
It's clear that not only in Asia, but that many people from countries across the globe প্রণয় BIGBANG and K-pop. We were so proud that many অনুরাগী came to see our concerts. আরো shows were being added because the original dates were selling out so quickly. When we heard that news, that’s when we realized that we were actually on a full-scale world tour.

Did any one country's অনুরাগী stick out to you?
Actually, it’s hard to pick one country because it was our first time visiting many of these countries. No matter how big অথবা small the সঙ্গীতানুষ্ঠান was, we were happy to meet our অনুরাগী from all over the world and to feel their energy.


Do আপনি guys have any touring rituals, funny stories, অথবা backstage habits that you'd like to share?
Usually, when we finish a song, the stage goes dark, and it becomes chaos because everyone sprints backstage for wardrobe change. But when Seungri’s solo stage comes up, we all watch from the sideline. When the sounds of Seungri’s helicopter and laser gun appear, we all stop from what we are doing to watch his performance. What can we say!? Seungri is very cute and entertaining! In the dressing room, we talk and fool around with each other. We are all very talkative and can talk all night long.


What was the most memorable part of the প্রদর্শনী itself? Do আপনি have পছন্দ songs to perform?
What impresses us the most is that সঙ্গীত অনুরাগী across the globe can dance and have fun together regardless of the language অথবা cultural background. It’s hard to pick one song we প্রণয় because all the songs are special to us, but when our overseas অনুরাগী sing “Haru Haru” together, it’s really heartwarming.


What was it like working with choreographer Lauriann Gibson?
We heard that this was Laurieann Gibson’s first collaboration with an Asian artist. She was so passionate while thinking of ideas for our সঙ্গীতানুষ্ঠান that she would go without taking a break to eat! We felt like we could learn a lot from her since she’s worked with such great musicians. Laurieann as well the lighting, band, and stage নকশা crew, helped us bring our সঙ্গীত to life and improve the experience দ্বারা 120%.

What else is পরবর্তি for the BIGBANG members in 2013?
2013 will be a period for each individual member’s personal growth. G-Dragon will release a new solo album and hold a solo সঙ্গীতানুষ্ঠান in Korea and Japan. Taeyang is also getting ready for his new solo album. শীর্ষ just finished shooting his feature film “Alumni” and is waiting for it to be released this year. Daesung will release his solo album in জাপান at the end of February and debut in Japan. Seungri will continue to work on Korean and জাপান TV dramas to keep his অনুরাগী happy!

Daesung, what can আপনি tell us about your জাপান solo album?
My Japanese debut album titled “D’scover” is comprised of remakes of classic Japanese pop songs. আপনি could expect heart-warming, powerful and upbeat songs on this new album. It was challenging to work simultaneously on the world tour and solo album, but when I look at the final product, I am thankful for my team that made it possible.


G-Dragon আপনি recently gave a track in English to Nicola Formichetti for Paris Fashion Week. Will আপনি অথবা BIGBANG be releasing সঙ্গীত in English anytime soon?
We believe that anything and everything is possible regardless if it's a domestic অথবা international project. If we are ready and the timing is right, we would like to hope and think that English songs would be released in the future.

Do আপনি guys have any other exciting collaborations অথবা surprises coming?
G-Dragon, Daesung, Taeyang will all release their new songs through solo albums. Also, if we could share positive energy with other artists and do something creative together then আপনি will see আরো collaboration. অনুরাগী will have to stay tuned and see what comes out in the future. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be a surprise!

Is there anything else আপনি would like to add অথবা give a message to your অনুরাগী worldwide?
The "2012 BIGBANG Alive Galaxy Tour" was a memorable experience to meet with অনুরাগী across the globe. We would like to continue visiting various countries around the world and to meet every BIGBANG অনুরাগী out there. In order to do that, we have to constantly evolve and challenge ourselves and grow as artists. We hope that all of আপনি will support for us.