A year and 8 months in the military, his scandal-ridden band and the pandemic — the years between 2018 and 2023 were certainly no piece of cake for Taeyang of boy band Big Bang, but his latest EP “Down to Earth” shows how he pushed through nonetheless.

“It’s really been a series of difficult situations for me,” he told local press Monday at a special showcase held in Itaewon, central Seoul ahead of the EP’s release on Tuesday afternoon.

“It’s hard to pinpoint specific events, but being in the military meant limited communication with the outside world. That added with hard times and the pandemic even after I was discharged meant it was difficult for me to continue my music activities.”

“Down to Earth” is the singer’s second EP and his first new solo music in five years since “Louder” (2018). His collaboration with BTS's Jimin on “Vibe” was released last January as the pre-release track off of the album.

Taeyang debuted as a member of boy band Big Bang at the age of 17 in 2006. He soon proved his capabilities as a soloist with his first solo EP “Hot” and its lead track “Only Look At Me” in 2008, followed by some of the most popular R&B tracks in K-pop including “Wedding Dress” (2009), “I Need A Girl” (2010) and “Eyes, Nose, Lips” (2014).

Big Bang was one of the most controversial bands in the late 2010s due to his bandmates’ crimes. Seungri quit the band in 2019. He was sentenced to jail time for his part in a prostitution and drug ring. The other two members of the band, G-Dragon and TOP, were also involved in scandals both big and small, but Taeyang managed to always stay out of trouble.

“I started my career, my music, quite young. I thought I had learned a lot during such times but there were so many things that I hadn’t learned. I thought about the shortcomings that I have and ways in which I could truly make myself a better person. It was a time of seeking change,” he said.

Taeyang took part in writing the lyrics for all of the six tracks on “Down to Earth,” a title which embodies all the colors the sun shows at sunset — the time that consoled him the most during hardships that he endured over the years.

The lead track “Seed” is a 2023 take on the ballad genre popular in the 1980s and 90s, while “Vibe” and “Shoong” take on a faster beat added with his signature groove. “For Me” (translated) is Taeyang’s interpretation of 1970s soul and “Inspiration” and “Nightfall” are upbeat R&B hip-hop tracks.

“Just like all the colors of the sun during sunset, this album has all the colors of Taeyang,” he said, playing on the meaning of his stage name which also means the sun in Korean.

“This is a compilation of ballad, hip-hop and soul. It’s an album that carries the times I’ve spent with everyone that helped me become who I am today, and it makes it all the more meaningful for me.”

Taeyang married actor Min Hyo-rin in February 2018. The couple welcomed a baby boy in November 2021.

“Having a child really changes you, not just musically but how you perceive the world as a person,” he said. “I am so grateful for the change and the positive influence my family, my child in particular, has brought to me. I realize that I shouldn’t just think about changing as a musician but as a person so that I may truly become a positive influence to my child.”

BY YOON SO-YEON [yoon.soyeon@joongang.co.kr]