Super Junior’s Kangin announces he’s leaving the group after 14 years
He’s been on hiatus since 2017 after several controversies including assault allegations and drink driving convictions.
Kangin has announced his departure from Super Junior. (Photo: Instagram/kanginnim)
Super Junior member Kangin has announced that he’s leaving the K-pop group. He was an original member of the boyband when it debuted 14 years ago in 2005.
Kangin has been on hiatus since 2017 after allegedly getting into a brawl at a drinking establishment. He’s also had a couple of drink driving convictions.
READ: Kyuhyun completes military service: Super Junior pieced back together again
He announced his departure from the group on Instagram with a lengthy note accompanied by a blacked out image.
He said: “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.”
He added that he came to the decision after watching the rest of the group “suffer misfortunes” due to his “own problems.”
“I've come to the decision that I cannot delay it any longer,” he said. “More than anything, I am full of apology toward ELF (Super Junior fans) for the overflowing 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.”
A group of fans had threatened to boycott the group last month if Kangin and fellow member Sungmin did not resign as they felt the duo’s image was damaging to the band.
Label SJ has confirmed Kangin’s departure from the group, but says he still remains as an artist within the company. A representative said: "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."
READ: Super Junior planning to release comeback album later this year
Kangin ended the note to say that he will always “cheer for the success of Super Junior forever.”
Super Junior is planning to release an album at the end of the year now that youngest member Kyuhyun has finished his mandatory military service.
