Lee Jong-hyun, who left the band CNBLUE after being involved in the 'Jung Joon-young Group Chat' incident, stated, "Leaving the team was entirely my fault and choice, and I must bear the responsibility."
On the 11th, Lee Jong-hyun said through SNS (social media), "I have lived with a heavy heart knowing that my actions caused the team and members to face unwanted misunderstandings and criticism," adding this statement.
Previously, in March 2019 while serving in the military, it was revealed that Lee Jong-hyun exchanged inappropriate messages, including illegal filming materials, in a group chat with singer Jung Joon-young and others, sparking controversy. Later that August, he sent direct messages (DMs) to internet broadcaster Forest BJ Park Min-jeong, saying things like "Your belly fat is so cute," among other remarks, leading to further scandals. Consequently, he left the team and exited the entertainment industry.
Lee Jong-hyun said, "Although I was a member of CNBLUE, my inappropriate words and actions and immaturity led me to leave the team and live apart from the world for nearly eight years now. Some fans who cared for me back then may have thought I was rejected by the members, but this is completely untrue."
He said, "It has always pained me that the members were hurt by things they did not want," and confessed, "I feared that staying with the team due to my personal embarrassing circumstances and mistakes that I could not fully explain at the time would have caused even greater harm."
He further explained, "Out of shame for my actions at the time and a sense of responsibility, I chose to leave the entertainment industry and live in isolation from the world."
After leaving the entertainment industry, Lee Jong-hyun once started a family but is currently going through divorce proceedings.
Regarding plans to return to the entertainment industry, he stated, "I am absolutely not considering it," and emphasized, "This will be my last post; I will no longer engage in SNS activities or additional communication. I will return to a completely non-entertainer life, reflect on my past, and become a responsible person."
Lee Jong-hyun added, "I wrote this letter to sincerely apologize to the CNBLUE members and correct the misunderstandings about me. I will continue to genuinely support the members and CNBLUE forever, who gifted me the brightest and most beautiful memories during my immature days and created precious memories with me."
in ENTERTAINMENT
