Former Wanna One Kuanlin Announces Career Transition, Considering Retirement from Entertainment Industry?
Kuanlin, who rose to fame as a member of 'Produce 101 Season 2' and later as part of Wanna One, has revealed contemplations about retiring from the entertainment industry.
On the 14th, Kuanlin took to his personal social media to share his decision, stating, "After careful consideration, I have decided to change my course. This account will now be managed by staff due to my career plan adjustments."
Speculations abound that Kuanlin's shift in career direction may lead him towards becoming a film director.
Originally hailing from Taiwan, Kuanlin faced legal disputes with Cube Entertainment in 2019, eventually terminating his contract and relocating to China.
In 2021, he made waves in the film industry with his directorial debut in the short film 'A Fight of Winter and Summer,' which earned acclaim by clinching awards in five categories at the Rome Prism Independent Film Festival, including Director's Award, Best Film, and Best Actress.
Recent reports have also highlighted Kuanlin's application to the prestigious Beijing Film Academy, underscoring his intent to pursue filmmaking seriously.
Known initially for his charming persona as a trainee on 'Produce 101 Season 2' in 2017, Kuanlin swiftly gained popularity and secured a spot in Wanna One after finishing 7th in the final rankings.
BTS’s Jin Dominates MY1PICK Weekly Rankings for 43 Weeks Straight
BTS's Jin continues to shine bright with his massive popularity, securing the No. 1 spot in the MY1PICK weekly rankings for an impressive 43 consecutive weeks!
In the MY1PICK K-POP Individual Category Weekly Ranking for the third week of December (December 16–22), Jin earned a massive 6,154,905 hearts, keeping his position at the top. From the 5th week of February to the 3rd week of December, Jin has been unbeatable in the weekly rankings, proving he has an enormous fanbase and global influence.
But Jin’s achievements don’t stop there. In November, he dominated the K-POP Individual Category Monthly Ranking, topping it with 25,452,283 hearts. He has held the No. 1 spot for 11 months straight, from January to November, showing his continuous popularity throughout the year.
Jin also claimed victory in the One Pick Chart’s “November Monthly Chart K-POP (Solo)” category, holding the No. 1 position for 8 months in a row, from April to November. On top of that, he won the 2024 Season Chart K-POP (SOLO) for both the 2nd and 3rd quarters, making him the best One Pick star of the season.
The Season Chart awards honor artists who have consistently earned love from fans, with a physical trophy given to the top artist. Jin’s back-to-back victories solidify his place as one of the most beloved stars in K-pop.
Jin’s fan power doesn’t end with rankings. He’s also triumphed in numerous themed votes, taking first place in categories like “Star You Want to Collect All Photo Cards Of,” “Star You Want to See First Pitch at a Baseball Game,” “Best Cooking Genius Idol,” “Star Who Would Be the Best Child,” and “Star You Would Fall in Love With at First Sight.” His reward advertisement for the “Star You Want to Collect All Photo Cards Of” vote began airing on December 26 and can be seen at Yeoksam Station until December 30.
Meanwhile, Jin’s first solo album Happy was released on November 15 and quickly became a global hit, showcasing his talents as a solo artist. He held a special showcase, Jin ‘Happy’ Special Stage, on November 16 and 17, where fans were captivated by his beautiful vocals and flawless live performance.
Jin has also been keeping busy with appearances on popular variety shows like Salon Drip 2, Neighborhood Star K4, and Limousine Service. He’s also appeared on famous American talk shows, including The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and Japan’s top music program Venue 101, where he impressed fans with his humor and solid live performances. His reputation as the “Vocal King” and “Live King” is stronger than ever!
As if that wasn't enough, Jin is also gaining attention globally for singing the main theme song for the new tvN drama Ask the Stars. Jin's talents continue to wow the world, and it's clear he's not slowing down anytime soon!
