Lee Jung-shin
The towering bassist of CNBLUE who expanded his stage from concert halls to television screens as a versatile actor.
Born 1991 (age 35)·South Korean bassist and actor·Birthday: September 15·Millennials
Biography
Lee Jung-shin entered the public eye as the quiet, statuesque bassist for the South Korean band CNBLUE, which broke the mold as a rare idol group built around live instruments. Standing at over six feet tall, his presence was initially defined by his steady, anchoring bass lines and deep voice providing harmony. But Jung-shin harbored a quieter ambition to act. He methodically built a second career, taking on supporting roles in dramas like "The Heirs" and "Cinderella and the Four Knights," where his height and gentle demeanor made him a natural for charming, often aristocratic characters. His trajectory showcases a deliberate shift from a musician who acts to a genuine multi-hyphenate, balancing CNBLUE's comebacks with leading roles in web dramas and series. He represents a path less traveled in K-pop, proving that an idol's artistry can authentically flourish in separate, equally demanding fields.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Lee was born in 1991, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Lee Was Born
The biggest hits of 1991
#1 Movie
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Best Picture
The Silence of the Lambs
#1 TV Show
Cheers
Lee's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1991Born
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1996Started school
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2004Became a teenager
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Could drive
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2009Could vote
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2012Turned 21
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2021Turned 30
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 35 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Debuted as the bassist of CNBLUE, a band that achieved multiple number-one albums on the Korean music charts.
- Acted in the popular SBS drama "The Heirs" (2013), gaining wider recognition as an actor.
- Landed a leading role in the tvN romance drama "Cinderella and the Four Knights" (2016).
- Released his first solo single, "Come To Me," in 2022, showcasing his vocal abilities outside the band.
Did You Know?
At 188 cm (6'2"), he is one of the tallest idols in the K-pop industry.
He initially aspired to be a model and was scouted for his height and looks before joining CNBLUE.
He is a skilled snowboarder.
He served his mandatory military service as a conscripted policeman.
“The bass isn't just background; it's the foundation that holds everything together.”
