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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Music and Concerts devider T.O.P on dearMoon voyage cancellation: 'My dream is by no means over'

T.O.P on dearMoon voyage cancellation: 'My dream is by no means over'

Published Jun 2, 2024 11:21 pm

T.O.P, a former member of Big Bang, said his dream to travel to the moon is not yet over despite the cancellation of the dearMoon project of Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezama. 

The dearMoon project, planned as the world’s first civilian circumlunar voyage, was canceled on June 1.

T.O.P was previously selected as one of the crew members for the voyage along with Steve Aoki from the US, Yemi A.D. from Czech Republic, Rhiannon Adam from Ireland, Tim Dodd from the US, Karim Iliya from the United Kingdom, Brendan Hall from the US and Dev D. Joshi from India. The two backup crew members were Kaitlyn Farrington from the US and Miyu from Japan. 

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The dearMoon crew (dearMoon website)

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Former Big Bang member T.O.P (Instagram)

The dearMoon project entailed a mission of a spacecraft going around the moon and returning to earth. 

DearMoon announced on June 1 the cancellation of the voyage. 

“In 2018, Yusaku Maezawa announced dearMoon, the world’s first civilian circumlunar voyage aboard SpaceX’s space vehicle, Starship. The plan had included artists from around the world who would participate in the project to share the invaluable experience in space with the rest of the world. Arrangements were being made with SpaceX to target the launch by the end of 2023,” the notice stated. 

It added, “Unfortunately, however, launch within 2023 became unfeasible, and without clear schedule certainty in the near-term, it is with a heavy heart that Maezawa made the unavoidable decision to cancel the project. To all who have supported this project and looked forward to this endeavor, we sincerely appreciate it and apologize for this outcome.”

T.O.P posted a statement on Instagram about the cancellation. Here is the full text: 

“Regarding the dearMoon project cancellation:

“As you may have heard, the ‘dearMoon’ project has unfortunately been canceled.

“However, I am deeply grateful to Mr. Yusaku Maezawa for conceptualizing the 'dearMoon' project.

“He selected and brought together beautiful artists from all over the world to embark on a mission to travel to the moon and create art inspired by this journey. This was the greatest and most beautiful art project for the development of mankind that no one in the world would have dared to imagine, and the courage to even attempt this mission was truly extraordinary to witness.

“My dream is by no means over.

“Being selected as a ‘dearMoon’ crew member was one of the greatest honors of my life. My heart is full of gratitude for the experiences I gained and the friendships I made through this process.

“Over the last few years since joining ‘dearMoon’, I feel that my body and soul have forged a deep, direct connection with the moon. My imagination has expanded to places I would have never expected as I prepared for moon exploration.

“As a Korean artist, this experience has had a profound impact on my life and the music I make. My body and soul connected with the moon and space has already inspired me to compose a lot of new music, some of which I look forward to sharing soon. The moon has and will continue to nourish my soul and fill me up with meaning and inspiration forever.

“The ‘dearMoon’ mission made my dream to go to space, something that seemed completely impossible, to feel possible for the first time. This invaluable experience has changed my life and perspective forever. My dream to travel to the moon is not over. It has become the ultimate and greatest goal of my life, an official challenge, and a core mission for my life.

“I feel deep responsibility for all the people who cheered for and supported me through this process to make them proud.

“I will never give up on my dreams, and I will continue to pursue new adventures that challenge me. This is for everyone who strives with love.

“Life is most beautiful for you who believe everything is possible.”

DearMoon added, “Although dearMoon is cancelled, Maezawa and dearMoon crew members will continue to challenge themselves in their respective fields. We will hold deep respect for SpaceX as they continue to venture into uncharted territories, while we ourselves will move on to the next challenge.”

On X, Maezawa said, “I signed the contract in 2018 based on the assumption that dearMoon would launch by the end of 2023. It’s a developmental project so it is what it is, but it is still uncertain as to when Starship can launch.” 

He added, “I can’t plan my future in this situation, and I feel terrible making the crew members wait longer, hence the difficult decision to cancel at this point in time. I apologize to those who were excited for this project to happen.”

Meanwhile, T.O.P will appear in season 2 of Netflix's "Squid Game."  

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