ABOUT CNBLUE

CNBLUE: Dreaming of the World’s Street Corners

     This is where this band of four fresh faced young men started out in early 2009. On the streets of Japan, braving the falling temperatures of the harsh winter, having to live like renegades on the run. CNBLUE started at rock bottom with just a basic grasp of the language, little money in their pockets, no hand-phones, and no family around them, all they had was each other and their music. Their company FNC was trying a new formula, sending them to Japan to train not just as rookies but as nobodies. To prepare them for an official debut but were unsure whether to have them start out as an indie band in Japan or wait a few months more to break through to the Korean market as a band in their homeland. In the meantime, they held impromptu jam sessions at train stations, singing covers of popular artists’ songs, while quietly working on their own compositions and patiently waiting for their turn to shine.  Their street tours in Japan gave them the experience and confidence they needed and helped to build a solid fan-base there. They used their natural musical talents and visual appeal to their advantage, thus enabling them to begin as indie artists in what was a foreign country to them. Now feeling empowered to co-create their own music alongside some of Japan’s greatest composers, CNBLUE started their journey.

During their time in Japan, their company finally decided to debut CNBLUE as an indie band. They made their formal debut with their English language first mini album, ‘Now or Never’ on August 19, 2009. Subsequently, on November 25, 2009, the band released their second mini album titled simply, ‘Voice’. Both albums failed to make an impact on the music charts and sales counts, but they helped to put the band on the map and people were beginning to take note. CNBLUE promoted their new music by booking performances in live clubs and continuing to hold their street lives whenever the weather allowed for it.

Introduction and Expansion

       Breaking down the walls they faced in Japan was only the beginning; they needed to start making a name for themselves at home in Korea as well. So, with their management company at the helm of the idol-drama ‘You’re Beautiful’, their guitarist and lead vocalist Jung Yong Hwa, was selected to play the handsome yet awkward, Kang Shin Woo and would make his acting debut in the role. While the drama did not garner the remarkable viewership ratings anticipated by execs, the international response to the drama’s premise, along with the undeniable chemistry shared between the cast which included Hallyu star Jang Keun Suk, Park Shin Hye and FTISLAND vocalist Lee Hong Ki, (all members of the fictional band A.N.JELL) facilitated in catapulting Yong Hwa’s popularity to higher than expected numbers which was essential for CNBLUE’s status. This new public awareness was positive for the band as it was crucial for them to have some recognition in Korea that can pave their way for a local debut. With this new-found fame, the existing band member’s title roles needed to be put in place within CNBLUE. The role of the band leader was transferred from Lee Jong Hyun to Jung Yong Hwa not long before their debut was set to take place in Korea. Lee Jung Shin then stepped into the role of the new bassist as the replacement for their original bassist, Kwon Kwang Jin. These changes should’ve been enough for any new band just starting out to cave under pressure, but this was not the case for CNBLUE.  At their very core, all these men really desired was to play music that would reach and captivate as many listeners as possible. While they work hard and strive to ultimately fill stadiums all over the world, these humble musicians would be just as content to perform on as many street corners they could play on; if that was the only way they could do what they love, perform.

In early January 2010, the announcement of CNBLUE’s upcoming Major Korean debut was made which was followed by a series of teasers, each featuring one of the four members showcasing their individual charisma and also shedding a bit of light onto what the name CNBLUE really stood for. C.N. was short for Code Name and B.L.U.E represented each of the member’s personas. Lead Guitarist and Vocalist Lee Jong Hyun’s teaser would surface first as he represent the ‘B’ for ‘Burning’. The next teaser featured Drummer Kang Min Hyuk representing the ‘L’ standing for ‘Lovely’. Bassist Lee Jung Shin would represent the ‘U’ for ‘Untouchable’. And lastly, new Leader, Lead Vocalist and Rhythm Guitarist, Jung Yong Hwa would represent the ‘E’ for ‘Emotional’. All members together represented the band CNBLUE.

The highly anticipated official music video for the unforgettable title track, ‘I’m a Loner’ was later released just before the launch of their debut Korean mini album, titled, ‘Bluetory’ on January 14^th, 2010 which quickly took the number one spot on the MNET real time charts, along with the second spot on the Hanteo Music Charts. CNBLUE were the only rookie group to do so in 2010. Other songs featured on the album were Korean versions of their previous Japanese releases. It wasn’t long after their initial taste of success that the public, including celebrities, equally began to take notice of the new rookie band taking the industry by storm. At first, the band was compared to Korean band FTISLAND, who happen to be label mates to CNBLUE. The public would soon start to discern CNBLUE’s music as distinctive, considered as being of same caliber as alternative rock bands such as Maroon 5, yet also appealing and honest like alternative pop artist, Jason Mraz.

A few months after they ended their promotions for their debut Korean album ‘I’m a Loner’, CNBLUE released their follow up mini album ‘Blue Love’, which was the first to feature original Korean works by the band and not just revisions of their previous Japanese tracks. The album introduced members’ original compositions and lyrics including Jung Yong Hwa’s ‘Love Light’ and ‘Tattoo’ and Kang Min Hyuk’s co-written lyrics for ‘Sweet Holiday’.  The unique CNBLUE sound, especially the exceptional combination of both Lee Jong Hyun’s baritone voice and Yong Hwa’s husky lead vocals, was soon celebrated by music enthusiasts and critics and helped to develop CNBLUE musical color.

After ‘Blue Love’s’ release, CNBLUE successfully extended their impact onto the international market by embarking on their first regional tour ‘Listen to the CNBLUE Asia Tour’. At the same time, they focused on their Japanese activities in order to reassure Japanese fans that they wouldn’t forget about the audience who first enabled them to live out their dreams of making music. Experiencing warm responses everywhere they went, CNBLUE began to officially ride the Hallyu wave and finally became international Rock stars as an idol band.