发布时间: 12/17/2025
Super Junior's Sungmin made a guest appearance on the Chuseok special episode of KBS2's variety show "Superman Returns," which aired on October 7. As a former member of the iconic boy group Super Junior利特直播见证《厨师的迫降：客家厨房》金钟奖人气奖夺冠，感谢台湾E.L.F.应援破纪录, he once enjoyed immense popularity among fans worldwide. However, after choosing to pursue love and marriage, he found himself caught in a web of rumors and public scrutiny that led to an unexpected 10-year hiatus from the entertainment industry. When reflecting on these challenging years, he couldn't hold back his tears, emphasizing that his decision to face these difficulties head-on was driven by his deep love for his family.
Sungmin revealed that he had never shared his true feelings with anyone before this appearance. As the first member of his group to get married, he was filled with anxiety about how fans would react to the news and struggled to find the right way to announce it. Unfortunately, the marriage rumors leaked to the media before he could make an official statement, leaving him unprepared to handle the public's response. The subsequent wave of negative comments and escalating rumors made him feel isolated and misunderstood, causing him to retreat from the spotlight entirely. He admitted that since singing was his only skill, he felt lost and scared, unsure of his place in the world outside of the entertainment industry.
Sungmin explained that his decision to marry was rooted in his desire to protect his wife, Kim Saeun, but this choice resulted in a decade-long gap in his career. He expressed deep remorse for his wife having to take on the role of the family's primary provider during this period. In response, Kim Saeun shared her own feelings of guilt, stating that she believed her husband had endured more hardships than she had and that she felt responsible for the challenges he faced. This exchange highlighted the strong bond and mutual understanding between the couple, even through their toughest times.
After a decade of marriage, Sungmin and Kim Saeun were blessed with a son named Doyun, whose arrival felt like a miracle to the family. This joyful event inspired Sungmin to make a comeback as a Trot singer, a genre he had long admired but never explored professionally. Although his initial attempts in Trot competitions didn't yield the desired results, he remained determined to improve his skills. He enrolled in vocal classes taught by renowned Trot composer Lee Ho-seop, where he spent four years diligently practicing and refining his craft. His dedication eventually earned him the respect and affection of his teacher, making him one of the most beloved students in the class.
Following his training, Sungmin returned home to prepare for his appearance on KBS1's "National Singing Contest." During this time, he balanced his rigorous practice schedule with his responsibilities as a father, often spending quality time with Doyun and even preparing homemade baby food for his son. On the day of the performance, he stepped onto the stage as a new Trot artist, ready to showcase his hard-earned skills. Taking the host Nam Hee-seok's advice to heart, he sang with genuine emotion, and despite the heavy rain, he poured his heart and soul into the performance for the fans who had come to support him.
Sungmin shared that his comeback was fueled by his love for his wife and son, expressing his hope that one day Doyun would watch his performances and tell him, "Dad is so cool." Even though he had been in the industry for 20 years, he humbly considered himself a rookie in the Trot genre and asked the public to give him a chance. He pleaded with fans and critics alike not to judge him harshly and to welcome his new journey with warmth and understanding.
