Kim Young-woon or better known by his stage name Kangin has officially announced his departure from popular K-pop group Super Junior who he had been with for 14 long years.
After staying silent for almost 8 months, the 34-year-old announced the news in a long post where he apologised to fans and the rest of Super Junior’s members.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bzwyewinswr/
Here’s the translated version:-
“Hello. This is Kangin. It’s really been a long time since I’ve delivered news to you all. My heart is heavy as the news I have is not good news, but after a long debate, I am writing to you.
As of this moment, I plan to let go of the name ‘Super Junior’, a name I had for a very long time.
I’ve always felt nothing but feelings of apology toward my members.
I’ve always felt that I needed to come to this decision as soon as possible, but due to the kind hearts of those who cheer me on unchangingly as well as my label’s staff despite my faults, I was not able to summon the courage, and I also felt that I was not in a situation where I could decide anything blindly on my own.
However, due to my own problems, I had to watch my members suffer misfortunes that they should not have had to face, and I’ve come to the decision that I cannot delay it any longer. More than anything, I am full of apology toward E.L.F for the excessive love that you always sent me for the past 14 years.
This may be too late, but even as I let go of the name ‘Super Junior’ and begin walking on my own, I will always remember these feelings of gratitude and apology.
I want to sincerely say thank you to my members and my label’s staff for respecting me until the end. I will cheer for the success of Super Junior forever. Thank you.”
Earlier last month, some Korean members of Super Junior’s official fan club E.L.F, have called out for a boycott against Super Junior who was making a comeback without Kangin and Sungmin.
But fans have announced that they will be boycotting everything related to Super Junior until Kangin and Sungmin are officially removed from the group.
“We demand Kangin and Sungmin’s departure… Kangin and Sungmin damage Super Junior’s image as a whole. Kangin and Sungmin’s departure should no longer be delayed and we agreed there needs to be stronger action taken,” Super Junior’s fandom released an official statement.
“We announce to indefinitely boycott Super Junior and all members’ activities until the agency release a clear statement,” read the statement.
Impt!
KELF are planning another boycott tomorrow this time to permanently remove Kangin and Sungmin from the group. They are threatening to stop all fan support/attendance (Rough trans)
Pls report twitter acct @/naminiout pic.twitter.com/NRzD3LczSb
— All About Kangin ☀️🍉 DEMEBETA GROUP ORDER (@KanginArchive) June 2, 2019
The protest happened due to Kangin and Sungmin’s previous controversies where Kangin was found guilty of multiple hit and runs under the influence of alcohol as well as getting arrested for physically assaulting his girlfriend, while Sungmin was criticised for controversial marriage.
Super Junior’s management Label SJ has also confirmed Kangin’s departure news. “We have decided to respect Kangin’s decision to leave the group voluntarily. This does not affect his exclusive contract with the company; however, nothing has been decided regarding his future promotions.”
