The local boys of FTIsland and CNBlue are joining an all-star music line-up for this year’s Summer Sonic rock festival in Japan. The annual rock fest will be held simultaneously in Toyko and Osaka on Aug. 10 and 11 and will also include renowned headlining acts such as Metallica, Muse, Smashing Pumpkins, Earth, Wind & Fire, Pet Shop Boys and more.

Summer Sonic is Japan’s largest summer international music festival and attracts around 200,000 fans during its two-day run. 

FTIsland is composed of members Choi Jong-hoon, Lee Hong-ki, Song Seung-hyun, Lee Jae-jin and Choi Min-hwan. The group first debuted in 2007 with the album “Cheerful Sensibility,” which became the sixth best-selling album that year. FTIsand’s lead single “Lovesick” also topped the major K-pop charts for eight straight weeks. The boys have since released four Korean albums including their most recent “Five Treasure Box,” which was released in September last year. On top of the four Korean albums, FTIsand has also released four Japanese studio albums.

Before making their official commercial debut, CNBlue played on the streets and at small clubs in Japan. The band released its first mini-album “Now or Never” in Japan in 2009. A year later, the boys released their first EP in Korea titled “Bluetory.” The group’s breakout single “I’m a Loner,” launched the band into the mainstream.

Just 15 days after its Korean debut, CNBlue had its first chart topper with its debut single, breaking the record for achieving a No. 1 ranking on the local TV music chart ranking programs in the shortest time.

Last year the boys ― Jung Yong-hwa, Lee Jong-hyun, Lee Jung Shin and Kang Min-hyuk ― wrapped up CNBlue’s first arena tour in Japan and attracted a combined total of 100,000 screaming fans. The “Come On” tour took the group to six cities all across Japan, performing nine concerts.

CNBlue and FTIsland are both scheduled to perform on the same stage at the Summer Sonic rock festival, playing on the “Rainbow Stage” in Toyko on Aug. 10 and on the “Flower Stage” in Osaka the following day.

By Julie Jackson (juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)