[3] After abandoning the idea to attend an arts high school with expensive tuition payments, Jung applied to an institution with a "practical" music department and was accepted.
Upon a suggestion from a friend, Jung enrolled in a hagwon in the Haeundae District where he received specialized training; he attended for approximately one year.
[4] Jung learned about auditions being held by agency TS Entertainment in Busan and he was scheduled to take part, but decided to perform at a competition during that time and was ranked second place.
[13] In March 2019, Jung initiated a crowdfunding campaign with the company Culture Bridge to acquire funds for his debut mini-album.
[15] He was compared to former bandmate Yongguk, who was preparing a "musically ambitious" solo album at the time without crowdfunding, which was perceived as "authentic".
[20] He contributed a song entitled "All Things Will Pass" on the original soundtrack for JTBC's television series Sweet Munchies.
[21] Jung was cast in the musical The Moment as The Boy, originally slated to run from July through September 2020.
[22] Due to stringent restrictions following an uptick of infections amid the COVID-19 pandemic, performances only operated through the end of August.