Super Junior's Kyuhyun Opens Up About Academic Insecurities on YouTube Show

Super Junior's Kyuhyun recently revealed his insecurities about his academic background.

On October 6, Kyuhyun appeared on the YouTube show 'Salon Drip 2,' hosted by Jang Do-yeon.

Discussing his participation in the Netflix show 'Devil's Plan: Death Room,' Kyuhyun shared, "The production team seemed to have recruited me through various channels. I was hesitant at first but eventually agreed. I wondered if appearing on the show would be beneficial for me. I have a certain 'celebrity brain' image, and getting eliminated early might not help that image."

Opinions from those around him were mixed, with some recommending it and others expressing concern. However, fellow Super Junior member Shindong was a strong advocate for his participation. Reflecting on the experience, Kyuhyun expressed satisfaction, saying, "I'm glad I did it. Regardless of how well I performed, it was refreshing to be a player again after mostly being an MC or panelist on shows recently, especially since 'New Journey to the West.'"

Jang Do-yeon asked, "Did you agree to participate because you believe you're not lacking in intelligence?" Kyuhyun responded, "I've seen that rankings in these brain survival programs aren't solely determined by academic background. Many participants come from prestigious universities like Seoul National University, KAIST, and Harvard." As a graduate of Kyung Hee University, Kyuhyun admitted, "It's a great source of pride for me, but I do have insecurities about my academic background."

Fellow Kyung Hee University alum Jang Do-yeon reacted defensively, asking, "What are you talking about?" Kyuhyun explained, "My father ran an academy, and for six years during my school days, I heard, 'If you don't get into college, our academy will fail.' As the son of an academy director, I felt a lot of pressure."

Kyuhyun also confessed, "I still struggle with English." He explained that exam-related English left a lasting trauma. "I can manage Japanese or Chinese as a hobby, but I stutter when it comes to English," he said, adding, "I have a lot of respect for people with strong academic backgrounds."

Reported by Kim Ji-won, TenAsia, bella@tenasia.co.kr