Where Is CNBLUE Now? Status of Lee Jung Shin, Kang Min Hyuk, Jung Yong Hwa, More
Although CNBLUE established a good image since their debut in 2009, the shocking controversy involving a member on top of their military enlistment in 2018-2019 has shaken their status in the K-pop scene.
Where are the members now?
Following the success of F.T. Island in 2007, FNC Entertainment introduced another K-pop rock band called CNBLUE which debuted in 2009 in Japan.
Although their career was a little bit rocky at first, the group eventually established its popularity in the country with just two EPs.
In the following year, CNBLUE was launched in Korea with its new album, "Bluetory" and its lead single, "I'm a Loner." Once again, it is a successful release that topped multiple charts.
Since then, CNBLUE cemented its fame in Asia, particularly in Japan and Korea. Throughout their career so far, they released numerous hits including "Can't Stop," "Love," and more.
Their heyday continued until 2018 when the members started to serve in the military. Amid anticipation for their comeback after discharge, former member Lee Jong Hyun was reported to be involved in the notorious Burning Sun Scandal.
Unfortunately, this took a huge toll on the group's career and image. Thus, Jong Hyun eventually left the band in 2020.
In the same year, CNBLUE announced that they will be reorganizing as a three-member band and continue their career by releasing their eighth and ninth mini-album, "Re-Code" (2020), and "Wanted" (2021), respectively.
Where Is CNBLUE Now? Recent Activities of Members [2022]:
1. Lee Jung Shin
Originally, Kwon Kang Jin was the bassist of CNBLUE but shortly after their debut in 2009, he left the team and was replaced by the then-FNC trainee Lee Jung Shin.
When he joined the band, He also became the rapper and backup vocalist.
In 2012, Lee then opened his career as an actor known for his notable works, "Seoyoung, My Daughter," "Cinderella with Four Knights," "My Sassy Girl" and more.
In 2022, he returned to the acting scene after his military by playing the role of Do Soo Hyuk in the tvN drama, "Sh**ting Stars."
2. Kang Min Hyuk
In regards to CNBLUE's drummer Kang Min Hyuk, he also pursued his acting career after military discharge ans starred in the 2021 MBC series, "Oh My Landlord." He initially established his name in the acting industry through his popular works, "The Heirs" and "Hospital Ship."
In 2022, he also found his new passion after becoming a rookie writer. Min Hyuk debuted through the release of the MD Book, "Not Everything" on March 25.
Aside from being an actor and writer, the "Love Cut" singer also opened his personal YouTube channel, "만취민혁 Hobby Binger" in October the last year.
3. Jung Yong Hwa
The leader, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the band Jung Yong Hwa is also a songwriter who is actively making songs for CNBLUE and other K-pop artists since 2011. Nine years after, Jung became a full member of the Korea Music Copyright Association (KOMCA) in 2020.
Amid the hiatus of the group, Jung Yong Hwa also worked as an actor and played the main lead role in the drama, "Sell Your Haunted House," starring opposite Jang Nara in 2021.
In particular, Jung Yong Hwa rose into stardom as an actor for his two consecutive hit dramas "You're Beautiful" and "Heartstrings."
4. Lee Jong Hyun
Before his departure from CNBLUE, Lee Jong Hyun was loved as the lead guitarist and vocalist for the band. But to his multiple controversies, he left and vanished from the music scene.
As a brief background of his controversies, in 2016, he was fined for trading FNC stocks based on the information that the company will sign a contract with popular Korean personality Yoo Jae Suk.
In 2019 then, he was involved in the Burning Sun Scandal, where Lee admitted that he watched illegal sexual and explicit videos sent in a group chat by Jung Jun Young.
Although some fans continued to support him, the trust was completely broken when he sent inappropriate messages to a female YouTuber just months after the initial issue.
5. Kwon Kwang Jin
After leaving CNBLUE, Kwang Jin re-debuted in N.Flying in 2013 as the band's bassist and vocalist. Although he was doing pretty well under his new group; he left the group after being accused of sexually harassing and dating his fans. He admitted that he used to meet fans, but denied he's harassing them.
After leaving the team, he became a streamer on Afreeca TV.
In July 2021, Kwon Kwang Jin announced his marriage to his non-celebrity fiancée.
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Written by Eunice Dawson
