Former CNBLUE Guitarist Lee Jong-hyun Issues 8-Year-Old Apology, Declares No Return to Music
After an eight‑year silence, former CNBLUE guitarist Lee Jong‑hyun finally addressed the public on August 11 2026. In a post on his personal social‑media account, the 34‑year‑old apologized to his former bandmates for his past conduct, revealed that he has been divorced, and made it clear that he has no intention of re‑entering the music business. The statement was picked up by Korean outlet OSEN.
Lee joined CNBLUE in 2010, a group formed by FNC Entertainment that debuted in South Korea with the single “I’m a Loner.” He remained the band’s lead guitarist and vocalist until August 28 2019, when he left following a controversy that tied him to the Jung Joon‑young KakaoTalk chatrooms. Those chatrooms were part of the larger Burning Sun scandal that exposed illegal sexual activity and the sharing of illicit videos. According to the Wikipedia entry on Lee Jong‑hyun, the incident involved a private direct message to a YouTuber and allegations that he had viewed and participated in inappropriate conversations.
During his military service, which began in August 2018, the chatroom allegations surfaced in March 2019. FNC Entertainment issued a statement through Lee that apologized to fans and announced his departure from CNBLUE. The statement also described Lee as having behaved in an “inappropriate” and “immature” manner and stated that he would no longer be part of the group. The incident drew extensive coverage across Korean media and sparked public backlash against the band.
In his recent statement, Lee said, “I want to share something I have kept in my heart for a long time.” He explained that he had carried the burden of his actions for eight years and that he had chosen to leave the industry to avoid further harm to the band’s reputation. Lee also revealed that he had built a family after leaving the spotlight, but that the family is now separating. He stated that he has no interest in returning to the entertainment industry and that his current work is unrelated to music or public appearances. The article notes that Lee has been involved in beauty‑marketing work for eight years and that he works as an office employee.
The statement clarified that the CNBLUE members did not ignore Lee during his absence. Lee emphasized that the misunderstanding was caused by his own shame and lack of disclosure. He apologized to the members who may have suffered from the situation and thanked them for their support.
CNBLUE has continued to release music and perform since Lee’s departure. The band’s lineup now consists of Jung Yong‑hwa, Kang Min‑hyuk, and Lee Jung‑shin. FNC Entertainment has maintained the group’s activities, and the band has remained active in Korea and internationally.
Lee’s announcement comes amid ongoing discussions about accountability in the Korean entertainment industry. While the Burning Sun scandal has led to legal consequences for several individuals, the case of Lee Jong‑hyun illustrates the long‑term personal and professional impacts on those involved. The statement confirms that Lee will remain out of the public eye and that there are no plans for a comeback.
The article concludes that Lee Jong‑hyun’s public apology and disclosure of personal matters are intended to correct misunderstandings and to prevent rumors about his current business activities. No further developments have been reported.
