Super Junior’s Leeteuk is receiving scathing criticism from netizens after showing support for his former group mate Kangin at a recent event.
In late May 2024, Super Junior’s Ryeowook got married to former Tahiti member Ari, and the ceremony reunited all 15 past and present members of the group.
During a speech at this wedding, Leeteuk drew attention to Kangin, appealing to everyone to “forgive” him for his controversial past. He reasoned that Kangin’s “self-reflection time is longer than promotion time,” adding that he was active as an idol for only five years, whereas he spent 15 years introspecting about his mistakes.
LT: everyone, you’re now seeing Kangin, whose self-reflection time is longer than promotion time. pls forgive Kangin now~ Kangin, who’s reflecting for 15yrs & promoted for 5yrs
SD: it’s so nice seeing everyone’s laughing & chatting like this
LT: on this happy & great day(cont) pic.twitter.com/kwjWZcTOur
— Cynthia 🧞♂️ (@zhaoguixian) May 26, 2024
Leeteuk went on to appeal that everybody should now forgive and support Kangin so that he would be “able to make a living.”
LT: on a happy & great day like this~
SD: that’s right
LT: please hug/hold (Kangin)
SD: yes|
LT: please give him love, so that Kangin will able to make a living
SD: please help him a lot~
LT: (we) ask for everyone’s help~
crowds: *cheers* hwaiting!! pic.twitter.com/VrpQ3mfAff— Cynthia 🧞♂️ (@zhaoguixian) May 26, 2024
Significantly, Kangin had to leave the industry after a series of criminal incidents. In 2009, he collided with two taxis while driving drunk and fled from the scene before turning himself in a few hours after the incident. His blood alcohol was above the legal limit, and the following investigation resulted in a ₩8.00 million KRW (about $ 5,880 USD) fine.
In May 2016, he was involved in another hit-and-run DUI, running into a light pole and turning himself in hours after. He received another fine for this incident, ₩7.00 million KRW (about $ 5,150 USD), as there were no other people involved. Just a year later, the idol was alleged to have physically assaulted his girlfriend at a bar. Ultimately, no charges were pressed, and his then-girlfriend was reluctant.
All of these past controversies have made it difficult for netizens to forgive him and receive him positively back in the industry. After Leeteuk’s video went viral, a barrage of criticism followed, accusing him of making light of Kangin’s crimes.
- “Nope. Go and do something else. You can just get certified in Excel.”
- “Maybe you can help him with your own money…”
- “Even ordinary people start seeing their friends differently if they do drunk driving. People who make a living off of popularity should be even stricter with themselves. Drunk driving is not a mistake. He can do something else other than being a celebrity. No one asked him to take a 15-year break.”
- “Wow..what the hell is he saying…”
- “At this grown age…I think it would be better if he looks for an ordinary job…”
- “DUI twice, and physical assault. Who’s going to give him a warm welcome?… Don’t you know that old habits die hard?
Meanwhile, Kangin has slowly started to make a return to the public eye with a YouTube channel and even a Dear U. Bubble account. The public has fiercely opposed both of these moves. You can read more about it here.
