Jung Yong-hwa of CNBlue: from rocking busker in Japan to multitalented bandleader taking on K-pop in Korea
- Jung has spent 10 years in the music industry, starting with studying music in Japan and street performances
- His pop rock band can compete in the charts with K-pop’s leading acts
Few Korean pop stars are lucky to have a career that lasts 10 years, and rarely are they as varied and fruitful as Jung Yong-hwa’s. The multifaceted singer-songwriter-producer-actor has been able to grow in different creative fields, with fans supporting his endeavours all the way.
Here’s a look at Jung’s decade in K-pop.
His early life
Jung Yong-hwa was born in Seoul in June 1989. The younger of two brothers, he and his family moved to the country’s second-most populous city, Busan, in 1991, where he spent most of his life. The young Jung was a high-ranking student, enjoying English and gym classes the most.
He loved American boy bands such as *NSYNC and Backstreet Boys while he was in middle school, and started composing his own music in high school.
After his college entrance exams, he moved back to Seoul and joined the FNC Music agency to pursue his musical interests. By 2009, Jung was in Japan to study music with his band mates in the pop rock group CNBlue. Despite being Korean, their careers began as street performers in Japan, and they released their first EP on a Japanese indie label.
His role in CNBlue
Those early experiences in Japan would prove important for Jung when he returned home and took his place as CNBlue’s leader and main vocalist.
Jung’s role has evolved during CNBlue’s 10-plus years together. He contributes not only as an additional guitarist and rapper, but also a songwriter and producer.
As CNBlue grew, Jung discovered a desire to write and produce more music for the band, including their lead singles.
In April 2012, news came that Jung would spend two months dedicated to songwriting. The creative getaway worked, as the leader ended up taking part in all of CNBlue’s lead singles from 2012’s Re: Blue album and beyond.
His solo work
While he’s heavily involved in CNBlue’s music, Jung has also found success as a solo artist.
He has released various singles since 2011, with his official solo debut in January 2015 via the full-length album One Fine Day that showed his more mellow, ballad-focused side.
Jung would show even greater musical variety with his 2017 solo EP Do Disturb that delved into pop, R&B and dance music, showing he would not be confined to just one sound.
Jung was the first CNBlue member to dip into acting, appearing in the music-infused drama You’re Beautiful in 2009, which gained a passionate fan base. Since then he’s appeared consistently in a range of dramas, including lead roles in historic pieces, romantic comedies and travel stories.
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After returning from mandatory military service in late 2019, Jung promised to show his maturity with his comeback. His music career reignited with the single Would You Marry Me? that reunited him with past collaborators.
His image
Outside music and acting, Jung is also noted for his philanthropic contributions. Early in his career, June donated the proceeds from the fan-dedicated solo single You, My Star to charity. He’s also teamed up with one of his online “fan cafes” to make food donations across Asia.
Jung once told fans that if they helped to get to No 1 on South Korea’s charts, he would do community service to celebrate – which he of course fulfilled when fans made it happen.
Publicly, Jung has taken part in charity campaigns in South Korea and China, donating to causes helping the disabled, low-income families and those hit by natural disasters. In 2019, he established a scholarship programme at his alma mater, Namsan High School in Busan.
In his own words
Regardless of where his career has taken him, Jung has maintained a positive attitude that shows he will continue creating and dreaming big for decades to come.
“I was loved by so many people after I debuted, but my popularity started to fade at some point,” he told KPopBehind.com. “Some people would fall into despair because they can’t forget their glory days, but I’m not in despair now.
“I’m still trying hard to maintain my position and I want to upgrade myself. These days, I’m busier than ever and the reason I work so hard is because I hope my 30s can be my best years. I’m also dreaming of being ranked No 1 on a Billboard chart.”
