YG explains 'reverse' promo for Taeyang's album

YG Entertainment explained its recent 'reverse' strategy for promoting Big Bang member Taeyang's new album, saying it is aimed at prolonging the singer's activities for his new solo album for as long as possible.

Taeyang released digital single "Where U At" from his upcoming first regular album in mid-October and will promote "Wedding Dress", released today, till the end of the year, but neither songs are the title track for the album.

"It has become more difficult for singers to promote tracks on their album other than their title song these days with the entire record being released online and people's listening patterns changing rapidly," Yang Hyun-suk, founder of YG and also producer of the singer, wrote on his agency's official website on Thursday.

"Taeyang had requested he be able to promote his album for as long as he can so that was our focus this time," said Yang.

The producer went onto explain that his agency therefore decided to carry out "reverse promotion" -- promoting songs apart from the title song first, and then unveiling the title song along with the entire album.

Taeyang was the first Big Bang member to debut as a solo artist, releasing his first mini-album "HOT" in May 2008 which produced two hit singles titled "Prayer" and "Look Only at Me".

His recent digital single "Where U At" peaked at No. 6 on Korea's Mnet Singles Chart last month and his full-length album is set for release early next year.

Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr