Lee Jong-hyun is a South Korean singer, songwriter, actor and musician. He is the lead guitarist and vocalist of popular South Korean boy band CNBLUE; before leaving the band in 2019.
Wiki/Biography
Lee Jong-hyun was born on Tuesday, May 15, 1990 (age 30 years; as in 2020) in Busan, South Korea. His zodiac sign is Taurus.
Lee Jong-hyun in his childhood
When he was about four years old, his family moved to Japan. Then, they moved back to Busan. He attended Songdo Elementary School, Busan, Songdo Middle School, Busan, and Gyeongnam Commercial High School, Busan. When he moved to Seoul to make his career in music, he studied at the Seoul School of Performing Arts. He graduated from Kyung Hee Cyber University, Seoul.
Physical appearance
Height: 5′ 11.6” (182 cm)
Eye Color: Black
Hair Color: Black
Family & Ethnicity
He has two older sisters.
Lee Jong-hyun With His Family at His Sister’s Wedding
He was in a relationship with a girl named Suzy.
Career
Agency: FNC Entertainment
As a member of CNBLUE
When a talent scout from FNC Entertainment (then FNC Music) came to Busan to contact Jung Yong-hwa (actor, fellow member of CNBLUE), he spotted Lee Jong-hyun and suggested him to audition at their company. Jong-hyun went for an audition, passed, and began training in bass tech at the FNC Academy. A band was formed with four members, including Lee Jong-hyun; the other members are Jung Yong-hwa, Kang Min-hyuk, and Kong Kwang-jin. In early 2009, the group (CNBLUE) gave its first performance at the entrance of Shinjuku Station in Tokyo, Japan. By mid-June 2009, the band had started performing live on the streets and in clubs. On August 19, 2009, CNBLUE made their debut with their EP, ‘Now or Never’ in Japan with Jong Hyun as their leader. The EP was entirely in English and failed to chart.
In the same year, Kong Kwang-jin left the group, and Lee Jung-shin replaced him. Their second EP, ‘Voice’ was in English and Japanese and made it to number 227 and lasted two weeks on the chart. On January 14, 2010, CNBLUE made their debut in South Korea with the EP “Bluetory.”
Album ‘I’m a Loner’ is their debut Korean single. The band held their first televised stage performance on KBC Music Bank on 15 January 2010.
The group released their first full-length Japanese album, Thank U, in 2010.
CNBLUE has many Japanese albums and EPs to its name, 392 (2011), Code Name Blue(2011), What Turns You On? (2013), Wave (2014), Colors (2015), Euphoria (2016), and Stay Gold (2017). CNBLUE released their first full Korean album “First Step” in 2011.
The band has several Korean albums and EPs to its name, First Step +1 Thank You (2011), Ear Fun (2013), Can’t Stop (2014), 2gether (2015), Blueming (2016) and 7ºCN (2017). ). Some hit singles (both Japanese and Korean) by the group are, I’m Loner, Intuition, Hey You, I’m Sorry, Cinderella, Where You Are, Robot, Truth, White, Puzzle, and Shake. In 2019, he departed from CNBLUE; after he faced backlash for sending inappropriate messages to YouTubers, which brought attention to his involvement in the ‘Burning Sun Scandal’ (2019) in South Korea.
As a Solo Artist
In 2012, her first single, ‘My Love’ was released as part of the original soundtrack of the K-drama, A Gentleman’s Dignity.
In July 2016, he released his first studio album, “Sparkling Night” in Japan. The album peaked at number seven on the Oricon Albums Chart and number nine on Japan’s Billboard magazine’s Hot Albums.
He has another Japanese album called “Metropolis” (2018) to his name. He made his acting debut with the anthology film “Acoustic” (2010) alongside fellow CNBLUE member Kang Min-hyuk. He played the role of ‘Kim Seong-won’ in the Bakery Attack segment.
In May 2012, he made his K-drama debut with “A Gentleman’s Dignity” as ‘Collin Black.’
Lee Jong-hyun in a Scene from ‘A Gentleman’s Dignity’
She has acted in several K-dramas, including Orange Marmalade (2015), My Only Love Song (2017), Girls Generation Lingerie (2017), and That Man Oh Soo (2018). He made his Japanese film debut with “Ikiru Machi” (2018) as ‘Do-hyun.’
Ikiru Machi (2018)
Awards & Honors (As CNBLUE Member)
- Top Chinese Music Award – Foreign Popular Group Award in 2015
- SBS Gayo Daejeon – Sirap Best Band Award in 2014
- YinYueTai V Chart Award – Best Band Award in 2014
- Gaon Chart Music Award – Hallyu Special Award in 2013
- Commendation of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Government of South Korea) in 2011
- Seoul Music Awards – Rookie Award in 2010
CNBLUE Gives an Acceptance Speech at the Seoul Music Awards
Golden Disc Award
- Disk Bonsang for the album ‘First Step’ in 2012, ‘Re: Blue’ in 2014, ‘Can’t Stop’ in 2015 and ‘2gether’ in 2016
CNBLUE Gives an Acceptance Speech at the Golden Disc Awards
- Bonsang Muzik Digital for the songs ‘I’m a Loner’ and ‘Love’ in 2010, ‘Intuition’ in 2012 and ‘I’m Sorry’ in 2014
- Popularity Award in 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015
- Best Asian Group Award in 2012
Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA)
- Best Male Rookie for the song ‘Love’ in 2010
CNBLUE Gives an Acceptance Speech After Receiving the Mnet Asia Music Awards
- Best Band Performance for ‘Intuition’ in 2011, ‘Can’t Stop’ in 2015, ‘Cinderella’ in 2015 and ‘You’re So Fine’ in 2016
Melon Music Awards (MMA)
- Best Newcomer Award in 2010
CNBLUE Gives an Acceptance Speech at the Melon Music Awards
- Music Style – Best Rock for ‘Intuisi’ in 2011 and ‘Can’t Stop’ in 2014
Awards & Achievements (As a Solo Artist)
- SBS Drama Award – New Star Award for K-drama “A Gentleman’s Dignity” in 2012
Lee Jong-hyun Gives an Acceptance Speech at the SBS Drama Awards
- 22nd Seoul Music Awards for Best Ost for ‘My Love’ from K-drama “A Gentleman’s Dignity” in 2013
Signature
Lee Jong-hyun’s signature
Controversy
- In June 2016, Jong-hyun and another member of CNBLUE were being investigated for insider trading in FNC stock after they received information that FNC Entertainment signed a popular celebrity. Jong-hyun did not confirm whether the information was reported or not and bought the shares. However, he soon realized that it was wrong to sell the stock and keep it for himself, which got him into trouble. While the other members were found not guilty, Jong-hyun was charged with a fine of 20 million won (Rs. 12.32 lakhs).
- Burning Sun Scandal (February 2018- February 2019): Lee Seung-hyun, better known as ‘Seungri,’ a member of one of South Korea’s most influential K-pop groups, Big Bang, and an entrepreneur who owns a club called ‘ Burning Sun. ‘ The club (Burning Sun) is embroiled in one of Korea’s biggest scandals, involving many big names in Korea with allegations that include sexual assault, prostitution, drug trafficking, hidden camera footage, tax evasion and police bribery. Jong-hyun is one of the celebrities found involved in the scandal. Although Jong-hyun denied his involvement in the scandal, the 8 o’clock news program ‘0’ reported Jong-hyun’s involvement in the scandal; showed evidence that he was part of a one-on-one chat room with Jung Joon-Hyung (a singer-songwriter, and the perpetrator in the scandal), where they had a lewd conversation in which they made derogatory remarks about women. Later, he admitted to having watched a sex video shared by Jung and made derogatory remarks about women.
- In August 2019, a YouTuber named Park Min Jung posted a screenshot of an inappropriate message sent to her by Lee Jong-hyun. The issue shed light on Jong-hyun’s involvement in the Burning Sun Scandal; following that, an official statement was released by FNC Entertainment on Jong-hyun’s behalf that he would be withdrawing from CNBLUE, and that he apologized for his behavior and mistakes.
Favorite Things
- Guitarists: Richie Kotzen, Eric Clapton
Facts/Trivia
- He takes up acting, singing, and playing the guitar as his hobbies. He also likes fishing and snowboarding.
- In concert, CNBLUE announced their English name. Jong-hyun’s English name is ‘John.’
- Before his debut, he was an Ulzzang in BEST NINE. Ulzzang means ‘a handsome person,’ a very popular term in South Korea. People who want to be famous, apply to run, where they are chosen by voters.
Lee Jong-hyun as a teenager
- On her way to the FNC audition, she meets Jung Young-hwa, a member of CNBlue at Seoul Station. The two then meet Kang Min-hyuk at the audition, and all three eventually pass the audition.
- Before becoming a K-pop sensation, he was a Judo athlete and won a gold medal in a Judo Tournament held in his hometown when he was in high school. Once, when he was defeated in just a few seconds in a Judo match, he realized that Judo was not his field, and he turned his attention to music.
- After realizing his passion for music, he began studying the piano. One day, while watching TV, he heard the English singer-songwriter and guitarist Eric Clapton playing the guitar, and he was inspired to learn the guitar.
- In December 2013, Jong-hyun formed the duo ‘Romantic J’ with Juniel (label mate), a singer and songwriter. The duo released the single ‘Love Falls,’ which was composed by Jong-hyun and written by Juniel. The song peaked at #27 on the Melon Chart.
- Jong-hyun joined his mandatory military service in August 2018. In March 2020, it was reported that he would be discharged from his military service on March 25, 2020; according to the COVID-19 Protocol.
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
