FT Island's Lee Hongki reflects on former members and the band's journey thus far

AKP STAFF

On July 9 KST, the YouTube channel 'VIVO TV' released a video titled 'Ride with the Original Idol Band, Lee Hongki'.

In the video, Song Eun Yi and Lee Hongki reminisced about past memories while touring the practice rooms and studios of FNC Entertainment's new building. During their conversation, Song Eun Yi asked about the current state of FT Island. Hongki shared, "The team is really good these days," indicating a positive atmosphere among the current members.

When asked about past conflicts, Hongki admitted, "We used to fight a lot," and recounted minor arguments over trivial things like food. He humorously recalled, "We would fight over jjapagetti and side dishes. For example, if someone was sensitive and complained about not getting what they wanted, I would just tell them to eat whatever was there."

Song Eun Yi empathized, saying, "Even two people can fight, so imagine how hard it is for a group of five or three to get along." Hongki agreed, noting that the current three-member lineup gets along well because they've learned to understand and respect each other's preferences over time.

Reflecting on his leadership role, Hongki expressed gratitude towards his bandmates for often following his direction, even when he is assertive. "I always feel sorry to the members because I tend to be forward in decision-making, but they tell me they like the way I lead," he said.

Song Eun Yi praised this teamwork, and Hongki further shared, "The current dynamic and the way we create music together is reflected in our new album, 'Serious.'"

FT Island debuted as a five-member band in June 2007. In 2009, original member Oh Wonbin left and was replaced by Song Seunghyun. However, the group faced significant challenges when Choi Jonghun became embroiled in the 'Burning Sun' scandal, leading to his departure. Seunghyun also left after his contract expired, leaving FT Island as a trio.

The controversies surrounding Choi Jonghun, including his involvement in a chatroom sharing illegal videos, his drunk driving incident, and attempts to bribe the police, led to his permanent exit from the entertainment industry in 2019. He received a suspended prison sentence for his actions.

Despite this, Jonghun hinted at a return to public life earlier this year, causing further controversy by reactivating his fan communication channel and suggesting a fresh start.

FT Island continues to perform and produce music, recently releasing their 7th album 'Serious'.