Sobangcha's Jung Won-kwan Reflects on Lee Sang-won's Departure and Group's Tumultuous Past

Jung Won-kwan, a member of the iconic 80s group Sobangcha, recently opened up about the departure of original member Lee Sang-won, which led the group to a crisis.

Appearing on the YouTube channel 'Song Seung-hwan's Wonderful Life' on the 12th, Jung Won-kwan shared stories from their early days. Sobangcha, a three-member boy band that debuted in 1987 with "Last Night Story," is considered a pioneering idol group in K-pop history.

Despite the immense success of their first album, the group faced a significant challenge when Lee Sang-won left, causing them to grapple with the possibility of disbandment. Jung Won-kwan humorously recalled Lee's departure as a 'betrayal' but also noted his impressionable nature.

He explained that Lee Sang-won harbored ambitions for a solo career and was influenced by prevailing trends, particularly the 'Hong Kong wave,' with suggestions that he resembled popular Hong Kong actors and could find success there. Jung Won-kwan admitted that while he was initially upset, he later understood Lee's desire for individual pursuits.

Jung Won-kwan revealed that the group's disbandment was announced without the members' direct involvement. Subsequently, he and fellow member Kim Tae-hyung recruited Do Geon-woo. After four months of intense practice, the new lineup released their second album, which also achieved considerable success, demonstrating their resilience and talent.

Jung Won-kwan was the leader and main vocalist of the 1980s sensation Sobangcha.

He continued his music career after the group's activities, showcasing his talents as a solo artist and songwriter.

Currently, he is known to be active in broadcasting and also dedicates time to nurturing young talent.