Leeteuk “15 years of self-reflection, please forgive me”… Kangin, controversy over his return stretch

Kangin, a member of the group Super Junior, appears to be expanding his activities through communication platforms.

On the 27th, Dear U Bubble announced, “Kangin’s bubble will begin on May 28, 2024,” and released a photo of Kangin. The reaction is that Kangin is expanding his activities by joining a platform that connects artists and fans.

Kangin also attended Super Junior member Ryeowook's wedding held on the 26th. In particular, the wedding ceremony on this day became a hot topic as a total of 15 members, including 13 original members of Super Junior, including Hankyung and Kibum, who left the group, as well as unit Super Junior-M members Jo Mi and Henry, attended the wedding.

Leeteuk, the leader of Super Junior, said to Kangin at the wedding ceremony, "You are meeting Kangin, who spent more time self-reflecting than his current activities. Please forgive me. I spent 15 years of self-reflection. I spent 5 years of self-reflection during my activity period. “I hope you can help Kangin make a living for 15 years,” he said, adding support to Kangin’s return.

There is a continuing debate among fans regarding this. Some people took a strong stance on Kangin's return, saying, "Kangin's attendance at a member's wedding and his official return to entertainment activities should be viewed differently." On the other hand, many fans also responded positively, saying, "If they had that much self-reflection, they could be active," and "It seems like they have reflected a lot on being careful and not coming out hastily."

Previously, Kangin was involved in major incidents such as assault and drunk driving, and announced his withdrawal from Super Junior in 2019. Since they had already been on hiatus since 2016 before leaving the group, they have officially already had a long hiatus of 8 years. Separately from this, Kangin has been self-reflecting since an assault dispute with a citizen occurred in 2009.

Kangin, who had been on hiatus for a long time, appeared on a YouTube channel and cautiously announced his decision to return to SM Entertainment in June of last year. Regarding his return, he said, "It's not a matter for me to decide. It's difficult to even say if I get the chance. I know that I was loved at the time because even I can't forgive myself, and I was immature. I know very well that I made the same mistake again in 2016." “Because I wasn’t active for about 7 years, I had no financial income,” he said.

At the same time, he said, "I feel a little embarrassed to say that I am the fans who have been waiting, but I think there are fans who are curious, so I would like to let you know how I am and what I am up to."

Choi Ji-ye, Ten Asia Reporter wisdomart@tenasia.co.kr