When Starship Entertainment announced the official disbandment of BOYFRIEND on May 17, 2019, fans around the world feared it was the final chapter for the iconic second-generation group. After eight years of delivering synchronized choreographies and sweet concepts, the expiration of their contracts felt like the end of an era. However, BOYFRIEND’s story didn’t end; it evolved. Defying the “disbandment curse” that splits so many groups permanently, the members stayed in constant communication. By April 30, 2021, they shocked the K-pop world by reforming as an independent, self-managed team. Navigating trademark limitations by initially rebranding as BF, they proved that their brotherhood mattered far more than an entertainment agency’s corporate backing.
Individual Journeys – Life after Starship (2019-2021)
Following the 2019 split, each member branched out to establish their own solo identity across acting, independent music, and military service. Here is exactly what each member pursued during their time apart:
1. Donghyun (Leader & Vocalist)
Donghyun immediately pivoted to acting, signing an exclusive contract with the prominent entertainment agency SidusHQ. He found massive success in musical theater, taking on lead roles in major stage productions. He starred as Romeo in the musical Romeo and Juliet, followed by lead roles in Thrill Me (2021), Biederstand (2022), and Hook (2023). He crowned his solo music journey on April 2026, by dropping his first solo single album, Happy Death Day.
2. Hyunseong (Main Vocalist)
Keeping a lower public profile, Hyunseong dedicated himself entirely to standard vocal refinement. He released emotional solo ballads independently, including his standout digital singles “Nothing Happens” and “Wind”, ensuring his powerful vocals remained sharp for the group’s eventual return.
3. Jeongmin (Lead Vocalist)
Jeongmin was the fastest to transition into a solo career. He signed with indie agency CROSS PHASE and made his official solo debut on June 19, 2019, with the single “Twenty One, Me and You”. He became a prolific singer-songwriter, releasing independent tracks like “The Day We Held Hands” (2020) and “Bandi”. He also went viral globally when he appeared in an honest, widely viewed interview on Anthony Padilla’s YouTube channel, speaking out on the strict realities, diet restrictions, and lack of freedom in the idol industry.
4. Youngmin (Vocalist & Eldest Twin)
Youngmin put his entertainment career on pause to quietly fulfill his mandatory military service, enlisting in August 2020 ahead of his fellow 1995-line members. Following his formal discharge in February 2022, he immediately returned to civilian life to pursue independent modeling and pictorial projects alongside his twin brother.
5. Kwangmin (Main Rapper & Younger Twin)
Kwangmin stayed highly visible by building an online presence as a creator. He spent his time streaming on Twitch and YouTube, appearing on internet variety shows, and collaborating with local Korean streetwear brands for fashion modeling gigs while awaiting his own military call.
6. Minwoo (Lead Dancer & Rapper)
Minwoo focused heavily on global fan engagement, keeping international fans tethered to the group through SNS platforms, including his YouTube vlogs on BoyLand. He made his official debut as a solo artist under the name Minu, releasing the digital single “Stay” on July 25, 2025. He also successfully managed independent fan showcases and live events in Japan for BOYFRIEND.
The Reunion and Beyond (2021–2026)
Boyfriend k-pop group’s re-emergence on May 26, 2021, with the 10th-anniversary digital single “Ending Credit” was only the beginning of their second wind. Operating independently under their self-managed agency, Cross Phase Inc., they took the reins of their own careers. On December 29, 2021, they dropped their first EP under their new moniker BF, titled Adonis. The ultimate payoff for fans arrived on May 26, 2026. To celebrate their momentous 15th debut anniversary, the group overcame past naming rights obstacles to confidently reclaim their original identity, releasing their 6th mini-album, Boyager 6, as BOYFRIEND. Led by the title track “The Voice That Adorned the Night Sky”—which was entirely written and composed by member Jeongmin—the group made an emotional return to public broadcast stages like KBS Music Bank for the first time in nearly nine years. Today, BOYFRIEND stands as a rare blueprint for how veteran K-pop groups can successfully control their own destinies and keep their promises to fans.
– Karen Mwenda
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