#SuJu: Sungmin Will Not Participate In Group’s Comeback; Pens Apology Letter

ELFs (as Super Junior’s fans are lovingly known), we have some sad news for you.

Lee Sungmin (이성민) has announced that he will not be taking part in Super Junior’s (슈퍼주니어) upcoming album. In a statement posted on Instagram, the idol member apologised to fans and asked them to support the group’s comeback.

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안녕하세요 성민입니다. 여러가지 사정으로인해 오랜만에 인사드리게 되었네요. 우선 많은 팬분들께 걱정을 끼쳐드려 죄송합니다. 최근 저로 인해서 이런저런 안좋은 이야기들이 많았는데, 혼자 판단하고 행동할 수 있는 일이 아니다보니.. 답이 늦어져서 죄송하게 생각합니다. 그점에 대해서는 저도 늘 속상하고 미안하게 생각하고있습니다. 돌이켜보면 결혼을 준비하는 과정에서부터 10년을 넘게 수많은 팬분들의 사랑으로 자라온 아이돌인 저의 입장이 결코 일반적일 수는 없다는 사실을 외면했던 것 같습니다. 좀 더 세심한 배려와 진실된 자세가 필요했던 그 시기에 그렇게 하지못했던 부분에서 상처입은 팬들과 점점 눈덩이처럼 커져가는 근거없는 오해와 소문으로 또 한번 배신감을 느끼셨을분들께 보다 적극적인 소통이 있었어야 된다는 생각이 듭니다. 군대에 있으면서 하루하루 너무나도 기다렸던, 꼭 하고싶었던 멤버들과의 활동이지만 슈퍼주니어의 중요한 이번 앨범이 잘 되길 간절히 바라는 마음에서 이번 활동에는 참여하지 않기로 하였습니다. 저는 슈퍼주니어의 멤버로써 오랫동안 우리 슈퍼주니어가 사랑받기를 원합니다. 그렇기 때문에 저에 대한 논란이 계속되고 있는 현재의 상황에서는 슈퍼주니어를 먼저 생각하는 것이 옳은 판단이라 생각하여 이번 앨범에 제가 참여하지 않는 것이 팀을 위한 길이라는 생각을 했습니다. 모두에게 중요한 이번 컴백에서 저로 인해 엘프들이 저희를 진심을 다해 응원하지 못하게 되는 상황만큼은 만들고 싶지 않았습니다. 저를 사랑해주시고 응원해 주시는 팬분들께는 죄송하지만 제가 좀 더 시간을 가지고 노력을 해야 될 것 같습니다. 엘프 여러분들 이번 슈퍼주니어의 컴백을 진심을 다해 응원해주시고 지켜봐 주세요.

A post shared by 성민 (@_liustudio_) on Jul 6, 2017 at 2:27am PDT

His full letter reads (translated by All Kpop):

“Hello, this is Sungmin. I’m writing to you all for the first time in a while because of various situations. Firstly, I’d like to apologise for causing worry to so many fans. There has been a lot of negative talk about me recently, but it was a situation I couldn’t act alone on. I’m sorry for the late response.

When I look back on when I was preparing for marriage, I don’t think I was considerate or truthful to the fans who’ve loved me for over 10 years now. I think I should’ve communicated more with my fans, who were hurt due to rumours and misunderstandings.

When I was in serving in the army, I always looked forward to promoting with Super Junior once again. However, I really want the next album to do well, so I decided to withdraw from their promotions. As a Super Junior member, I want my group to receive love for a long time. In light of ongoing controversies, I feel my decision to step away for this album is the best for the group.

I feel very sorry to the fans who’ve loved and supported me, but I think I need to work harder and have more time to reflect on myself. I ask ELF to support Super Junior’s comeback.”

31-year-old Sungmin made his debut as a member of Super Junior in 2005 and although they quickly became one of the most popular boy groups in the industry, he was thrown into a negative light when he suddenly got married with actress Kim Sa Eun in 2014. The singer joined the army shortly after that. Due to his married status, many ELFs want him to be withdrawn from Super Junior’s long-awaited comeback.

In a statement, Label SJ said that the agency will respect Sungmin’s decision and support him in all other ways. They shared, “Super Junior are a group created with member flexibility in mind, and they’ve received a lot of love due to their new and different units of groups. Currently, Super Junior are preparing with the goal to release their comeback album this October, and the company is doing its best for Super Junior to have more developed promotions than previously.”

In other news, it was reported that Sungmin and Kangin, who was charged with DUI last year, will join the upcoming “SMTOWN Live World Tour VI” concerts in Korea and Japan.

Super Junior’s comeback will include 7 members: Lee Teuk, Kim Heechul, Yesung, Shindong, Eunhyuk, Lee Dong Hae, and Choi Siwon.

What do you think of Sungmin’s withdrawal? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Sources: All Kpop, Soompi / Featured image: Fanpop.