Super Junior’s Leeteuk Defends Kangin: Please Forgive Him, He Has Spent 15 Years in Self-Reflection

The recently married couple, Ryeowook and Ari, who have been in a public relationship since September 2020, exchanged vows in a private ceremony in Seoul on May 26th. In a heartwarming moment, the complete 13-member group of Super Junior, including former members Kangin, Kibum, and Han Geng, reunited at the event. The group was also joined by current members Leeteuk, Heechul, Eunhyuk, Donghae, Shindong, Siwon, Yesung, Kyuhyun, and Sungmin, making it a nostalgic and emotional reunion for fans.

On a rainy Sunday, Ryeowook and Ari had a delightful party. Leeteuk, who was in charge of hosting, tried to uplift the mood by making a surprising comment about Kangin, saying, “You are now meeting Kangin, who has spent more time reflecting on himself than actively promoting.”

Leeteuk made a half-joking, half-serious plea, stating, “Please forgive Kangin. He has devoted 15 years to self-reflection, while only having 5 years of active promotion. Today is a joyous and positive day, so let us welcome him with open arms, show him love, and support him in earning a livelihood.”

Despite debuting as a member of Super Junior in 2005 and receiving love from fans during his time in the group, Kangin’s reputation was tarnished by multiple controversies involving drunk driving and assault. In 2019, his involvement in the infamous “Jung Joon-young chatroom scandal”caused him to make the difficult decision to leave Super Junior in order to protect the well-being of his fellow members and loyal fans.

During that period, Kangin stated, “I have always had a sense of regret towards my fellow members. I believed it was necessary to make a prompt decision, but I struggled to find the courage due to the unwavering support from our fans and company staff. However, witnessing my members endure difficulties because of my actions made me realize that I could not postpone any further.”

Despite his absence from broadcasting activities, Kangin has continued to connect with fans through his YouTube channel. In June of last year, he addressed the possibility of his return, stating that it was not his decision to make. He also acknowledged his past mistakes, admitting that he has yet to forgive himself for his immaturity and repeated errors. He recognizes that his actions were wrong then and still are now.

During his extended break, Kangin clarified that he had not received any income since 2016. Although some may question the impact on his lifestyle, he reassured that he did not have any major expenses. He stated that he is not someone who leads a luxurious or extravagant lifestyle.

Despite Leeteuk’s efforts to ask for forgiveness for Kangin, his words have sparked controversy. While he intended to entertain the guests at a private event, his comments have been deemed inappropriate by some due to the recent controversies surrounding other celebrities. However, others argue that the guests’ positive response, with applause and encouragement when Kangin expressed his gratitude, shows that it was not a significant issue.