An emotional reunion between former Wanna One members has left both fans and the group themselves deeply moved, as retired Taiwanese singer-turned-actor Lai Kuanlin reappeared in a new reunion variety show with an unexpected update about his life that quickly turned nostalgic moments into tearful reactions.
In the latest episode of Wanna One Go: Back to Base, released on May 5, Kuanlin, now 24, reunited with former member Yoon Ji Sung at Beijing Airport. What seemed like a simple meeting soon became an emotionally charged moment when the rest of the Wanna One members—Park Jihoon, Hwang Minhyun, Ong Seongwu, Kim Jaehwan, Ha Sungwoon, Bae Jinyoung, Lee Daehwi, and Kang Daniel (currently absent due to military service)—watched the encounter unfold together.
Formed through Produce 101 Season 2 in 2017, Wanna One quickly rose to become one of K-pop’s most successful project groups before disbanding in December 2018. Although their time together was brief, the emotional bond between members has remained strong, making this reunion especially meaningful.
However, no one anticipated how deeply Kuanlin’s update would affect the group.
During his meeting in Beijing with Sungwoon and the production crew, Kuanlin revealed that his life has taken a completely different direction. Speaking in Korean, he shared that he is currently working at a film production company, where he is learning scriptwriting and participating in short film projects.
“I’m really just a salaryman now,” he said calmly. “It actually feels reassuring.”
The simplicity of his statement surprised many, especially given his earlier career trajectory in entertainment. After Wanna One’s disbandment, Kuanlin continued working in the industry, forming a duo project and taking part in various activities. However, in 2019, he requested to terminate his contract with Cube Entertainment, citing issues surrounding an undisclosed third-party agreement. Soon after, he relocated to China and gradually shifted his focus toward filmmaking.
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In 2021, he made his directorial debut with the short film Winter and Summer Fight, which went on to receive multiple awards at the Rome Prisma Independent Film Festival, including Best Director and Best Film. Despite this success, his current confession revealed a much quieter and more grounded lifestyle than fans expected.
As the footage played, emotional reactions quickly surfaced among the watching members. What began as a light reunion turned into a deeply emotional viewing session as Kuanlin opened up about his life away from the spotlight.
One of the most touching moments came when he spoke about his early days in Beijing. Living alone without family or close friends nearby, he described a period of loneliness and adjustment.
“When I first came to Beijing, I didn’t have many friends and my family wasn’t here,” he explained. “I really missed Korean food, but there was no one to ask, so I had to learn to cook it myself.”
Hearing this, Park Jihoon became visibly emotional, later describing the moment as “heartbreaking.” Several other members also appeared close to tears as they watched the clip together.
The emotional weight of the reunion deepened further when Kuanlin revealed a tattoo reading “807” on his arm, symbolizing Wanna One’s debut date—August 7, 2017.
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“If I had to choose one day in my life that means the most to me, it would always be August 7,” he said. “We worked so hard, and that was the day everything finally came together.”
The reveal left the studio in silence. Sungwoon, visibly moved, admitted he struggled to hold back tears.
“I think I’m going to cry,” he said quietly.
The members watching the footage also fell into a reflective mood, with some appearing visibly overwhelmed by emotion.
In another segment of the episode, the members viewed video messages prepared by Kuanlin and Sungwoon. In their messages, the remaining members expressed a shared hope for a full reunion in the future.
Ong Seongwu stated, “Wanna One’s strength and synergy only existed when we were all together. If there is ever a chance, I think we should do it together.”
Similarly, Minhyun added, “It feels meaningless if we aren’t all together. I hope we can meet again as one group.”
Listening to these messages, Kuanlin became emotional. While expressing gratitude, he also revealed an internal conflict about returning to public life.
“I miss you guys, and I’m really thankful you made this video for me,” he said. “You haven’t changed at all.”
However, after a long pause, he added carefully, “But since I’ve already retired and decided on this path, appearing on TV again feels a bit like a burden for me.”
His words left the members in silence, with several of them breaking down emotionally. Jihoon even stepped away from the group momentarily to collect himself.
The emotional intensity continued later when Sungwoon prepared to leave Beijing Airport. As the farewell approached, both he and Kuanlin struggled to hold back tears, embracing tightly as they said goodbye.
“You’ve been through so much,” Sungwoon told him before passing through immigration. Despite leaving, he repeatedly turned back to wave at Kuanlin, who remained standing and crying as he watched him go.
The episode also noted the absence of Kang Daniel, who is currently serving in the military after enlisting in February, further emphasizing the physical distance that now separates the members despite their emotional bond.
What was meant to be a nostalgic reunion ultimately became a deeply emotional reflection on time, separation, and the different paths each member has taken. For both the group and fans, Kuanlin’s quiet update served as a reminder that while their careers have moved in different directions, the memories of their shared beginning remain unchanged.
