REMEMBERING MOONBIN
REVIEW OF HIS CAREER
Born on January 26, 1998, Moonbin made his debut as a child model in 2004. Two years later, he appeared in TVXQ!'s "Balloons" music video, then, in 2009, he played the role of younger Yijung in the Korean series Boys Over Flowers. When he entered college, he joined N.O.A Entertainment, formerly known as Fantagio, and was a trainee for seven years. After his official debut, he starred in To be Continued alongside the other members of ASTRO. This project aimed to promote the group with two songs from their first album: “Cat’s Eye” and “First Love.”
His musical career began on February 16, 2016 with the group ASTRO, which had five other members: Cha Eunwoo, Jinjin, MJ, Rocky, and Sanha. At the time, he was the secondary singer and main dancer. In March 2019, he played the role of Jung Oh, best friend of the main character in the drama At Eighteen, then for health reasons in November of the same year, Moonbin announced a break. He returned a few months later as MC for a period of two years on the Korean music show Show Champion. He also obtained the main role in the web drama The Mermaid Prince and, on September 14, 2020, he created the first sub-unit of ASTRO with Sanha.
The disappearance of Moonbin has darkened the starry sky of ASTRO. However, the start of 2024 revealed some nice surprises. On February 23, marking their eighth anniversary of their debut, ASTRO shared a new video for their digital single "Circles." This is their first title since their third studio album Drive to the Starry Road released in 2022. “Circles" is a soft song with comforting images of the daily life of ASTRO members during recording sessions.
The light and memory of Moonbin will never go out in the hearts of the members. On January 26, Moonbin's birthday, Cha Eunwoo uploaded a beautiful cover of the song "Love Is Gone (SLANDER)" to YouTube. Sitting behind a piano, the artist delivers us a melody and nostalgic lyrics as well as a message of great sensitivity. His first solo album released in February also raised questions about the song "WHERE AM I," an alternative rock style track that reflects the heart and gentleness of Cha Eunwoo, particularly after its very trying performance during his solo concert.
On April 19, Jinjin also surprised and warmed the hearts of AROHA by releasing a new song in memory of Moonbin: “Fly.” The song was well-received and a wave of thanks was sent to the leader for sharing this sound which is in collaboration with the late Moonbin, and is indeed a song which aroused a lot of emotion among fans.
WHO WAS MOONBIN?
Art by author
When we are touched by the talent of an artist, our heart is naturally interested in their personality. For a fan, it is always difficult to know who the artist really is as an individual. While it's hard to claim to know who Moonbin was despite his many appearances as an idol, we can say who he is today because he's what you remember him as. He is the boy with the kitten smile, the one who loves the song "Butterfly" by BTS, the one who loved ROA (his cat) and, he's also the little white butterfly who came to land near you recently. He is your favorite dancer or a star in the night, he's the one your heart remembers with emotion, joy, and love. It's your favorite videos, your photocards hidden in your phone case and in your wallet, or even your albums on your shelf. Your heart knows perfectly who it is.
Moon Bin, his real name, had a luminous name and evolved as an artist in an environment that was as bright as it was dark. “Moon” like the moon and “Bin” like the light, Moonbin seemed to be born to be a star. The members of the group called ASTRO, which means "star" in Greek, had the wish to be stars to those who love them. In the documentary film STARGAZER: ASTROscope the members share candid behind-the-scenes moments and interviews. Moonbin asks the cameraman what the title of the film is. He thinks and puts forward his idea: he mentions ASTRO, recalling its meaning, then specifies that this film is like looking through a telescope to observe the stars and their movements.
Recently, we have been able to observe astronomical events. Born on January 26, the 26th of January in 2023 offered a magnificent full moon called the wolf moon, that is to say the first full moon of the year. On April 19, 2023, Moonbin passed on under exceptionally rare skies, during a mixed eclipse. While some could observe a total eclipse where the moon completely obscured the sunlight, others could observe an annular eclipse. If ASTRO inspired stars to be stars for those who love them, Moonbin seemed to have become one of the brightest stars ever observed.
“This April 19, 2024, 40 years ago I was born and, a year ago, a star went out. Today is a special date. I would like to send this tribute to AROHA as well as to all the fans who cherished Moonbin. I prefer to consider that chance has little place in our lives and that sometimes, what we thought was a curse appears to be a revelation.”
Marjolaine