Signed under Amuse Korea, the group debuted as a sextet but currently consists of only three members: Shin, Sangmin, and Yongseok.
They released their debut mini-album Timeless: Begins in 2012, which peaked at #8 on the Gaon weekly album chart.
[1] On May 26, 2012, Amuse Korea revealed that they would be debuting a multinational group consisting of South Korean, Japanese and Chinese singers.
Terada Takuya, an Amuse model and actor, was also announced in the lineup and upon Cross Gene's debut became the first fully Japanese K-Pop idol.
On August 1, Cross Gene released the digital single "Dirty Pop",[8] followed by a special photobook CD, With U.
[14] During November, Cross Gene also started activities in China, performing for ATV at the Mr. Asia contest.
Their comeback was initially scheduled for April 21 but was delayed out of respect for the victims and families of the Sewol ferry disaster.
[18] The group released the Korean digital single "Amazing (Bad Lady)" on June 9, following a nearly 2-year absence.
On June 26, Cross Gene released a music video for the Korean version of "Shooting Star".
On June 28, they held their fourth live Japanese performance Amazing de Show at Differ Ariake Arena in Tokyo.
[20] During July and August, Cross Gene participated in Japanese music festivals including Amuse BBQ 2014,[21] Summer Sonic in Osaka,[22] and as the opening act for Asia Departure on A-Nation Island.
During Cross Show: Zedd, they also announced a Japanese comeback scheduled for January 14, 2015 with a new single titled "Future".
[28] Cross Gene's main vocalists, Seyoung and Yongseok, were both cast in separate theatre performances starting from November.
[29][30] Cross Gene also performed at Skechers Sundown Festival[31] in Singapore on November 22 and as part of Super Handsome Live 2014[32] on December 26, 27 and 28 at Pacifico Yokohama.
[38] "Play With Me" was also nominated for Song of the Week on SBS MTV The Show three times during its promotional run.
Following this, Cross Gene returned to Japan with their third single "Love & Peace", a track that featured on the OST for Dual Master Revolution.
On January 21, 2016, Cross Gene released their third mini album Game, along with a music video for the title track "Noona, You".
[43] Shin was also scheduled to play Tae Oh in the Korean drama Legend of the Blue Sea, starring alongside Lee Min-ho and Jun Ji-hyun.
Cross Gene's fourth mini album Mirror was released on February 8 with a title track called "Black or White".
[45] Member Shin also is scheduled to appear in upcoming drama 20th Century Boy and Girl as Han Ye-seul's younger brother, Sa Min-ho.
In August, Yongseok played in My Bucket List again, though this time the opposing side of his first role, Haegi.
On November 18, 2020, Shin share a letter for the fans that he made his military enlistment last October 19, 2020 as a public service.