Debuting in 2013 in Japan, under FNC Entertainment which had previously seen success in the Korean boy band industry with groups F.T Island and CNBlue. Originally debuting as an indie band in Japan through their first digital single ‘Basket’ in October 2013. The 5-member boy band would see success in 2014 appearing on the seventh episode of the FNC entertainment’s reality TV show ‘Cheongdam-dong 111’ alongside fellow FNC groups F.T Island, CNBlue, AOA and solo artist Juniel.
The series would be a success, with episode 7 being one of the season’s most successful episodes N.Flying would have their spin-off ‘Cheongdam-dong 111: N.Flying’s Way of Becoming a Star’ a 5-episode series aired on TvN from March – April 2014 focused around the bands pre-debut activities in Korea. Introducing the band to Korean audiences and building off the success of fellow rock bands F.T Island and CNBlue also under FNC entertainment.
The band would later debut in 2015 after their original debut date in 2014 was delayed due to leader Seunghyub injuring his knee in July. It would take until May 2015 for the band to debut with their EP ‘Awesome’, they would also release their first single later that year in October with ‘Lonely’. The most noticeable performance of their debut song was at KCON 2016 Japan where they would build on their success and be one of the stand-out acts.
The next couple of years would include their second mini album ‘THE REAL: N.Flying’ with lead single ‘The Real’ which would peak at number 6 in the Korean album charts in 2017, before releasing their third mini album ‘The Hottest: N.Flying’ in January 2018 with the lead song ‘Hot Potato’, before finishing the year with the release of their fourth mini album ‘How Are You?’ featuring lead song ‘How r u today’ as the band would once again take centre stage at KCON Japan.
Whilst 2018 was gaining the attention of the wider Korean music community the band’s breakout would be in 2019. After the release of their single ‘Rooftop’, they would reach mainstream success when featured in SCMP magazine after topping the Korean music charts. This led to the band’s first-ever music show win on ‘The Show’ after an impressive performance on Inkigayo. The single would then appear on their fifth mini album ‘Spring Memories’ which peaked at number 5 on the Korean music charts.
This would be followed by the N.Flying LIVE ‘UP ALL NIGHT’ concert where the band would travel to Asia heading to Bangkok, Hong Kong, Manila and Taipei as well as Paris. Before featuring as part of the HallyuPopFest 2019 lineup. They would also win big at award ceremonies winning a total of 5 awards from Melon Music Awards Best Rock Award to The Fact Music Awards Band Performer of the Year.
In 2020, N.Flying would release their seventh EP ‘So, (communication)’ which would see great success peaking at 4 in the Korean charts. The album signalled the start of a new beginning, being the first album with former Honeyst leader and bassist Dong-sung as an official member of the group after joining as a supporting member in 2019. N.Flying would also release a digital single in ‘Starlight’ a song composed by leader Lee Seung Hyub and was released on his own personal J.Don SoundCloud page in late 2019 after his grandfather passed away. Inspired by his grandmother’s social media profile picture of his grandfather with the caption “forever friend”. This is a heartwarming song and animated video that is emotional to anyone and makes me cry every time I watch the music video.
N.Flying would finish the summer performing at KCON:TACT the online alternative to the widely popular KCON that was changed to online due to the COVID-19 pandemic and cancelling of online events.
All 5 members of the band would renew their contracts with FNC Entertainment in 2021 and would later celebrate releasing their first full Korean studio album ‘Man on the Moon’ which would peak at number 4 on the Korean album charts with the lead song ‘Moonshot’. The majority of these songs would also feature as part of their first ever repackaged album ‘Turbulence’ peaking at 9 in the Korean album charts and would feature main song ‘Sober’.
As of 2022, the band has not yet released an album and has been touring as part of the ‘N.Flying live ‘&CON2’ concert with performances in both Busan and Daegu in the next couple of months. The band have also been emphasising YouTube content and TV appearances.
N.Flying is only getting bigger and better and is the perfect band for any K-pop fan, with great energy and perfect vocals and visuals you definitely won’t regret giving this band a listen.
