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Former CNBLUE member Lee Jonghyun returned online to share an update on his life and new job after eight years away from social media.
On August 10, Lee Jonghyun posted a few photos along with a long message on his account. He wrote, "This is Lee Jonghyun. I left this account empty for eight years. My account was hacked, and I'm still waiting for my username and bio to be changed back." He continued:
"For several years, I hid away from the world. After that, I learned how to work and try to live again."
Opening up about life away from the entertainment industry, he revealed, "It's just a small thing, but for the past eight years, I've been working professionally in beauty marketing. I've genuinely come to enjoy it." He shared, "This is what my days look like these days: I have meetings, examine products, and think about how I can do things better."
Talking about what it's like to work a normal job, he admitted, "I leave home in the morning and come back at night," and added:
"I've come to realize how difficult it is to simply live an ordinary life and go to work. I think everyone is truly amazing."
He ended his post by expressing his intention to stay in touch, stating, "From now on, I want to communicate with people as Lee Jonghyun, the person. I hope you have a nice day." Along with the message, he posted pictures of himself working on a laptop in an office and enjoying a nighttime view of the city.
For context, Lee Jonghyun initially debuted as a member of CNBLUE in 2010 and was active in music and TV. In 2018, he enlisted for his mandatory military service as an active-duty soldier. However, he faced intense public criticism while he was serving due to a series of controversies.
In March 2019, he came under fire after being identified as a participant in a group chat involving singers Seungri and Jung Joonyoung, who were embroiled in a scandal centered on the illicit filming and distribution of illegal sexual videos. In August of the same year, he faced even more backlash when it was revealed that he sent inappropriate direct messages to BJ Park Minjung including comments such as "Your belly fat is so cute."
These back-to-back controversies ultimately led to his departure from CNBLUE. At the time, he released a statement saying, "I sincerely apologize to those who were hurt by my inappropriate words and actions, as well as those I disappointed. I feel ashamed and deeply sorry for letting down the fans who believed in me."
FNC Entertainment, his agency at the time, also apologized, stating, "We accept the public's criticism regarding his poor choices and values. He feels deep regret for his actions. As a public figure, he will be careful with all of his words and actions, and he will continue to reflect on his mistakes."
