In 2017, Korean audiences were overwhelmed by the survival show Produce 101 Season 2. One of the biggest third generation K-pop groups, I want onewas born out of the program. Meanwhile, many trainees who failed to make it to the final lineup still gained enough popularity to debut later.
One of the most notable post-show groups was JBJa project group made up of interns who ranked between 20th and 30th place. The group officially debuted in October 2017 and quickly gained attention, even holding fan meetups across Asia. However, JBJ it was always meant to be temporary and officially disbanded in April 2018.
Among the members was Jin Longguo (also known as Kim Yongguk), who later debuted as a solo artist in 2018, raising hopes for a long-term career.
Dating rumors and a secret Instagram account spark backlash
Only a few months after his solo debut, Jin Longguo became involved in dating rumors with Kim Na-hyun SONAMOO. While dating itself isn’t uncommon, fans were shocked when they discovered posts from his supposedly private Instagram account.
Because of this, Jin Longguo would mock fans, calling them ” “delusional people”. Even more damning were photos showing him being affectionate with a girl while he was still actively promoting JBJ.
In another post, the idol admitted that he lied about being sick in order to skip scheduled activities and spend time with his girlfriend.
The accident that destroyed his image
Although the dating scandal angered fans, the most fatal blow to Jin Longguo’s career came shortly after.
A middle-aged man said that while taking out the trash, he discovered unopened fan letters, bracelets, cosmetics and snacks – clearly gifts from fans – thrown away in the trash. The man then shared his experience online, sparking public outrage.
“Last night, while I was taking out the trash, I noticed many bags full of brand new items. Most of the letters were written in Chinese and Japanese, and many hadn’t even been opened. They were clearly gifts from fans. I wondered why anyone would throw them away. It seemed like such a waste.”
The revelation quickly went viral, and Jin Longguo was harshly criticized for disrespecting the fans who had supported him.
The apology came too late
Following the backlash, Jin Longguo issued a handwritten apology. However, the damage was irreversible.
His second album Mono diary it sold only 6,256 copies, a drastic drop from the more than 24,000 copies sold by his debut album.
A career that silently disappeared
Over the years, Jin Longguo has gradually disappeared from the Korean entertainment industry. He no longer has an agency and now focuses on activities in China, releasing digital singles with little impact. His most recent song, Memoriesit reportedly only garnered around 4,100 views.
Currently he mainly releases covers on Douyin and has not participated in it JBJfurther signaling his complete retreat from the K-pop spotlight.
Once considered a rising star with global potential, Jin Longguo’s career stands as a reminder of how trust, once broken, is nearly impossible to rebuild in the idol industry.
Sources: Koreaboo
