C.N.Blue

South Korean pop/rock boy band CNBLUE formed in Seoul in 2009, but got their start in Japan, perhaps choosing to debut there because of rock's greater mainstream presence. Essentially a boy band with real instruments (think Busted), most of their songs were based on K-pop's basic electro-pop template, with live instrumentation layered over the top. They have been compared to labelmates FT Island, but had a less romantic, somewhat more street-tough sound. "CN" stands for "Code Name," with the "BLUE" standing for the invented personalities (think the Spice Girls) of the four mem...