He debuted as a member of the South Korean boy group VIXX in May 2012, and began his acting career in 2014 in SBS' romantic drama Glorious Day as Yoo Ji-ho.

[5] In September 2015, Hongbin was cast in his first lead role as Wang Chi-ang in KBS2's action-romance drama Moorim School: Saga of the Brave.

[9][10] In 2018, Hongbin was cast as a high school student who was born with hearing impairment in KBS's 10-episode drama Shining Sounds, which was broadcast on National Disabled Persons Day.

[11] The same year, he was cast in the romantic comedy drama Witch's Love,[12] and mystery thriller The Smile Has Left Your Eyes.

[15] In March 2020, Hongbin was criticized by netizens and news outlets for his behavior during a Twitch stream, in which he reportedly made negative comments about other idol groups while he was drunk.

[25] Hongbin enlisted in the military in August 2020 and was discharged on February 25, 2022, without returning to active duty in accordance with the Ministry of Defense's COVID-19 Regulations.