LOONG9 Disbands After Two and a Half Years; Hong Kong Member Sin Jing-fung's Nominal Tenure Ends
AM730 · 2 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
LOONG9, the 12-member boy band jointly created by TVB and Mainland China through the competition show Asia Super Talent, has officially disbanded after two and a half years. The group's official Weibo account announced on August 23 that all group activities would terminate immediately, with all 12 members transitioning to individual career development. Three Hong Kong members—Sin Jing-fung, Man Jor-hong, and Wong Yik-bun—had been effectively marginalized throughout the group's existence, never participating in the two album releases or promotional activities, rendering their membership purely nominal .
Key Points
- LOONG9 originated from TVB and Mainland China's joint show Asia Super Talent, with the group officially forming in 2024 and growing from 9 to 12 members
- The roster initially comprised Oi Lei, Lee Quan-zhe, Sin Jing-fung, Jiang Xin-xi, Liang Shi-yu, Bai Zi-yi, Man Jor-hong, Wong Yik-bun, and Chen Liang, later expanding with Zhang Hao-lian, Guo Dian-jia, and Chen Xin-hao
- The group split into S and V sub-teams, a move that drew criticism for allegedly cramming the lineup with company-preferred members
- Hong Kong members Sin Jing-fung, Man Jor-hong, and Wong Yik-bun were excluded from both album releases and all group activities
- Sin Jing-fung and other sidelined members had already formed a new boy group SURFIVE, which debuted this year
- When asked about the upcoming disbandment, Sin Jing-fung expressed no regret, stating that the competition experience itself was valuable for gaining stage exposure
- The official statement announced termination of all group activities effective August 23, with members pursuing independent career paths
Why It Matters
The disbandment highlights the challenges facing cross-border idol collaborations, where Hong Kong talent often gets relegated to peripheral roles despite formal inclusion. Sin Jing-fung and his fellow Hong Kong members have already pivoted to their new group SURFIVE, demonstrating resilience in building independent career trajectories despite the nominal association with LOONG9 .
The disbandment highlights the challenges facing cross-border idol collaborations, where Hong Kong talent often gets relegated to peripheral roles despite formal inclusion. Sin Jing-fung and his fellow Hong Kong members have already pivoted to their new group SURFIVE, demonstrating resilience in building independent career trajectories despite the nominal association with LOONG9 .