Japan debut:
Code Name Blue, stylized as CNBLUE (씨엔블루), is a South Korean indie rock band which began performing gigs in live clubs in Japan around June 2009. They made their formal debut as an indie band in Japan with their all-English tracks first mini-album, "Now or Never" on August 19, 2009. The band is made up of Jung Yonghwa, Kwon Gwangjin, Kang Min Hyuk, and Lee Jong Hyun. Their first mini-album, "Now or Never" was recorded completely in English. Unfortunately, it failed to chart on the Oricon Charts. Vocalist Yonghwa was casted as Kang Shinwoo in the Korean drama, “You’re Beautiful” during this time. He had to leave the group for a while and go back to Korea. The three had to carry on with their band activities. Also around this time, bassist Kwon Kwangjin left the group without any public statement and was then replaced by Lee Jung Shin. Later, on November 25, the second extended play, "Voice", was released featuring songs recorded mostly in English and others in Japanese. The album peaked at the 227th position and stayed on the chart for two weeks.
Korean debut:
FNC Music, FT Island’s management company, unveiled new teaser pictures for CNBLUE's debut in South Korea thus dubbing them as the "2nd FT Island". On January 7, 2010, the first MV teaser for "I'm a Loner" (외톨이야), the band's new song, was released on their official site, featuring the band's formerly stated leader, Lee Jonghyun, as Burning. Drummer Kang Minhyuk's teaser was released on January 8 with the alias, Lovely. On January 11 and January 13, Untouchable and Emotional MV teasers for Jungshin and Yonghwa were released respectively. These teasers, which featured their pseudonyms, form the word BLUE, the band’s official color.
The day before their official debut, they held their first fan showcase to a large group of fans. On January 14, the band released their debut mini-album, "Bluetory", and took the number one spot on the Mnet real time charts, Gaon charts and second spot on the Hanteo charts. They are the only rookie group to do so in 2010, beating out fellow rookies, ZE:A and F.Cuz. The group made their live debut stage at KBS Music Bank on January 15. They took the #1 spot on album sales charts and all music charts five days into their debut.
More albums and more Boices
On February 10, the group was featured in their new reality show on Korean music channel Mnet, titled "CNBluetory". In March, the band started preparations for their first full length Japanese album, "ThankU". It was released on March 20, 2010, with a new track, "A.Ri.Ga.Tou". The album peaked at number 90 on the Oricon charts. Later, in April, their official fanclub name was announced as BOICE, a combination of "blue" and "voice."
CNBLUE headed back to Korea and released their next promotional single, "Love Light" (사랑 빛), on May 10, 2010. The song peaked at number 10 on the Korean national chart and foreshadowed their upcoming release. On May 19, the second extended play was released and was named "Bluelove". It was promoted with the track "Love," which charted at number 2, matching the success of "I'm a Loner." "Bluelove" peaked at number 3. CNBLUE held their comeback stage on M!Countdown the following day.
On May 24, Jung Yonghwa was hospitalized after being down with a bad flu but it has been revealed that CNBLUE’s leader has vocal cord polyps and acute laryngitis; however, he was discharged from the hospital on the 27th of May.
After the success in Korea, the band headed back to Japan and released their first single album, "The Way", on June 23. For the first time, they charted within the Oricon top 40 at number 26. The release was followed by "I Don't Know Why", their 2nd single album, on September 16. The song reached number eight on the Oricon daily chart, marking the first time the band made it inside the top 10. On the weekly chart, they peaked at number 15. On the Japanese indie top chart, the band reached number one.
Tours and recent activities:
The sensation brought by the band’s popularity was also geared overseas as they kicked off the “Listen to the CNBLUE Asia Tour” on July 31, 2010 at Seoul AX Hall. All tickets were sold out as they tour six countries; Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Japan and China. The band also toured Japan with “CNBLUE Live Tour - Listen to the CNBLUE” which sold about 6,000 tickets in 3 cities; Osaka, Nagoya and Tokyo.
Aside from band duties, CNBLUE members also did a lot of activities. Jung Yonghwa became one of the official hosts of SBS’ Inkigayo, alongside f(x)’s Sulli and Jo Kwon of 2AM. Kang Min Hyuk and Lee Jong Hyun starred in the Korean movie, "Acoustic” which premiered on October 28. They released a song from the movie's OST on October 7 entitled "High Fly" that peaked at number 98 on the Gaon Charts. Lee Jung Shin walked on stage for designer Song Hye Myung‘s fashion show in Seoul, SETEC, last October 22. Min Hyuk was again casted for a show that aired subsequent to “Dr. Champ” called “It’s Alright, Daddy’s Daughter”.
CNBLUE rocked the stage for their 2nd Live Concert “Feel the BLUE” at Grand Peace Palace at Seoul’s Kyung Hee University on December 18. The tickets were sold out after they went on sale on October 26th. It was followed by “CNBLUE Christmas Concert in Busan” held last December 24 at KBS Busan Hall. Jung Yong Hwa and Lee Jong Hyun’s hometown is in Busan so they felt great to spend Christmas Eve here.
CNBLUE started the New Year with their 3rd Japanese single, "Re-Maintenance", which was released last January 9. They started off their 2011 Japanese promotions from January 9 until January 16 with CNBLUE's Zepp Tour in 4 cities: Osaka, Fukuoka, Nagoya and Tokyo. The band performed to a full stadium and the tickets for their shows were sold out immediately when they were opened for sale, which signifies their huge popularity in the Japanese market. The Re-Maintenance album ranked second in Japan’s Oricon chart.
While CNBLUE was busy in Japanese promotions, Jung Yong Hwa released his digital single “For First Time Lovers” (known as Banmal Song) last January 14th. At 10 a.m. of the same day, Banmal Song reached #1 spot on various real-time charts in South Korea such as Cyworld BGM Music, Bugs, Soribada and Daum Music. Banmal Song raised viewers’ attention after it was featured in the variety show “We Got Married” (MBC) where Yonghwa is virtually married to Girls' Generation's Seohyun. This song is written and composed by Jung Yong Hwa and it’s exactly after a year when they released “I’m A Loner” last January 14, 2010.
Recently, CNBLUE’s official website featured a countdown for their Korean comeback plus 1st Formal Korean Album in February http://cnblue.co.kr/. Moreover, President of FNC and composer, Han Seong Ho, revealed their future plans. He confirmed that they will release the new album next month and after the promotions of the album, Jung Yong Hwa and Kang Min Hyuk have high possibility of appearing in a drama. Other offers want all the 4 members to play in the same series and CNBLUE may have a chance to see it soon.
CNBLUE members:
Burning
Full Name: Lee Jong Hyun (이종현) (イ・ジョンヒョン, 李宗泫)
Position: Vocalist / Guitarist
Date of Birth: May 15, 1990
Height: 183 cm
Weight: 64 kg
Blood type: O
Hobbies: Appreciating Music & Exercising
Specialty: Judo
Charm: His Chic Smile.
Lovely
Full Name: Kang Min Hyuk (강민혁) (カン・ミンヒョク, 姜敏赫)
Position: Drummer
Date of Birth: June 28, 1991
Height: 184 cm
Weight: 60 kg
Blood Type: A
Hobbies: Play Soccer & Basketball
Specialty: Good in Flute
Charm: Eyes that smile is his trademark.
Untouchable
Full Name: Lee Jung Shin (이정신) (イ・ジョンシン, 李正信)
Position: Bassist / Rapper
Date of Birth: September 15, 1991
Height: 186 cm
Weight: 66 kg
Blood Type: A
Hobby: Appreciate Music
Charm: His Lovely Eyes, Perked up Personality
Emotional
Full Name: Jung Yong Hwa (정용화) (ジョン・ヨンファ, 鄭容和)
Position: Leader / Vocalist / Guitarist / Rapper
Date of Birth: June 22 1989
Height: 180 cm
Weight: 63 kg
Blood type: A
Hobby: Appreciating Good Music
Specialty: Clarinet & Beatbox
Charm: His Side Teeth, Kang Shin Woo’s character
2010 Music Program Awards:
(January 29) KBS Music Bank "I'm a Loner" No. 1
(January 31) SBS Inkigayo "I'm a Loner" Mutizen Song
(June 10) Mnet M! Countdown "Love" No. 1
(June 20) SBS Inkigayo "Love" Mutizen Song
(July 1) Mnet M! Countdown "Love" No. 1
(July 4) SBS Inkigayo "Love" Mutizen Song
Charts and overseas awards:
Peaked at #2 on GaOn Chart for "I'm a Loner"
Peaked at #2 upon release in Korea for "Bluelove"
GaOn Weekly Chart (Aug. 8-14) - "Bluetory" (#10) and "Bluelove" (#6)
Platinum Award (10,000 sales) each for "Bluetory" and "Bluelove" in Taiwan
#1 on Taiwan’s G-Music and Five Music Music Chart for "Bluetory"
#2 on Taiwan Music Charts for "Bluelove"
Taiwan's online album sales: Limited edition “Bluetory” version A (CD and DVD) at #2, version B (Album only) at #4 and the Exclusive Chinese release of “Bluelove” at #10.
2010 Song of the Year (Soompi Gayo Awards) for "Love" (6,683 points)
Top Newcomer of 2010 (Soompi Gayo Awards) (12,167 points)
Rookie of the Year at 2nd Philippine KPOP Convention (December 11, 2011)
Awards:
Cyworld Digital Music Awards: Rookie of the Month (January) ("I'm A Loner")
GaOn Charts Awards: Rookie Award
Style Icon Awards: New Style Icon, Singer
M.net Asian Music Awards: Male Rookie Award
25th Golden Disk Awards: Digital Music Bonsang ("I’m A Loner")
Bugs Music Awards: Rookie of the Year
2nd Melon Music Awards: Best New Artist and 2010 TOP 10
SBS Drama Award: New Star Award (Yonghwa)
Yonghwa - Seohyun Couple Popularity Award (MBC Entertainment Award)
Endorsements:
Skoolooks
Elle Girl
Nii
Holika Holika
Sony Ericsson X10
System Homme (Korean Fashion)
Suit House (Clothes: Jung Yong Hwa)
ELOQ (Clothes: Jung Yong Hwa)
Secondfood (Clothes: Jung Yong Hwa)
TJ (Clothes: Jung Yong Hwa)
Colonize (Clothes: Jung Yong Hwa)
Chris.Christy (Clothes: Jung Yong Hwa)
Codes Combine (Clothes: Jung Yong Hwa)
Andew Clothing (Lee Jong Hyun and Kang Min Hyuk: “Acoustic”)
Cottiny Couture (Accessories)
GCWatched
Jim Rickey Shoes
Cemula Bag
Special thanks to CNBLUE Philippines
credits: soompi / wikipedia / asianfanatics / kbs, mbc, mnet, sbs / oricon.blog
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