{"id":795,"date":"2025-10-08T08:37:04","date_gmt":"2025-10-08T08:37:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/?p=795"},"modified":"2025-10-08T08:37:46","modified_gmt":"2025-10-08T08:37:46","slug":"sungmin-opens-up-about-his-10-year-hiatus-from-super-junior","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/sungmin-opens-up-about-his-10-year-hiatus-from-super-junior\/","title":{"rendered":"Sungmin Opens Up About His 10-Year Hiatus from Super Junior"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>After nearly a decade away from the spotlight, Super Junior\u2019s Sungmin has finally spoken out about his absence. In a recent episode of <strong>KBS2\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt5129382\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">The Return of Superman<\/a><\/strong>, he revealed the emotional turmoil he went through and why he still feels he \u201clost his place\u201d in the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>His honesty gives fans a rare, intimate look at the struggles behind K-pop fame and the weight of expectations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"429\" src=\"https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screenshot-49.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-796\" srcset=\"https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screenshot-49.png 720w, https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screenshot-49-300x179.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_73 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-light-blue ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/sungmin-opens-up-about-his-10-year-hiatus-from-super-junior\/#Sungmins_Hiatus_The_Marriage_That_Changed_Everything\" title=\"Sungmin&#8217;s Hiatus: The Marriage That Changed Everything\">Sungmin&#8217;s Hiatus: The Marriage That Changed Everything<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/sungmin-opens-up-about-his-10-year-hiatus-from-super-junior\/#Feeling_Like_He_Had_No_Place\" title=\"Feeling Like He Had No Place\">Feeling Like He Had No Place<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/sungmin-opens-up-about-his-10-year-hiatus-from-super-junior\/#New_Chapter_Trot_and_Fatherhood\" title=\"New Chapter: Trot and Fatherhood\">New Chapter: Trot and Fatherhood<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/sungmin-opens-up-about-his-10-year-hiatus-from-super-junior\/#A_Fresh_Break_from_SM_Entertainment\" title=\"A Fresh Break from SM Entertainment\">A Fresh Break from SM Entertainment<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/sungmin-opens-up-about-his-10-year-hiatus-from-super-junior\/#What_His_Return_Means\" title=\"What His Return Means\">What His Return Means<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/sungmin-opens-up-about-his-10-year-hiatus-from-super-junior\/#Final_Thoughts\" title=\"Final Thoughts\">Final Thoughts<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sungmins_Hiatus_The_Marriage_That_Changed_Everything\"><\/span>Sungmin&#8217;s Hiatus: The Marriage That Changed Everything<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Sungmin first caused a stir in 2014 when he confirmed his relationship with actress <strong>Kim Sa-eun<\/strong>, and later tied the knot in December of that year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That decision triggered intense backlash from some fans. In the show, he admitted that he feared how fans would react, and once rumors began to swirl, he didn\u2019t know how to respond. Overwhelmed by negative comments, he gradually withdrew from the conversation. \u201cI was scared because singing was the only thing I knew how to do,\u201d he confessed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>His wife shared that she felt deep guilt, knowing he had suffered much more in silence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Feeling_Like_He_Had_No_Place\"><\/span>Feeling Like He Had No Place<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>One of Sungmin\u2019s most poignant lines on the show was, \u201cI thought I was losing my place.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During the hiatus, he said he often felt like he had no footing in the entertainment world. When criticism mounted, he described staying home, unable to face fans or the public.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>His explanation landed differently among fans. Some praised his vulnerability and courage. Others criticized him, saying he was \u201cvictimizing\u201d himself and deflecting responsibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-94c1ddf6\"><h2 class=\"uagb-heading-text\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"New_Chapter_Trot_and_Fatherhood\"><\/span>New Chapter: Trot and Fatherhood<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite the darkness, Sungmin found a light. He and his wife welcomed their first child, <strong>Lee Do-yoon<\/strong>, in September 2024 \u2014 a moment he called transformative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That shift in perspective gave him the motivation to return to music, this time as a <strong>trot<\/strong> singer. Over the course of four years, he trained under veteran trot composer Lee Ho-seop, rebuilding his voice from the ground up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the show, we saw scenes of him balancing rehearsal with childcare. His performance on the <strong>National Singing Contest<\/strong> in the rain \u2014 for a small but devoted crowd \u2014 was filled with raw emotion and gratitude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He said, \u201cI\u2019ve been a singer for 20 years, but I\u2019m starting again from zero. Please don\u2019t hate me. See me as a new artist and give me your support.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-289fc4ce\"><h3 class=\"uagb-heading-text\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Fresh_Break_from_SM_Entertainment\"><\/span>A Fresh Break from SM Entertainment<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>In April 2025, Sungmin\u2019s contract with SM Entertainment ended after 20 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The company issued a statement expressing gratitude for his time there and said they would continue to support his music path forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This separation marks a new beginning. Now he is free to shape his career on his terms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-6464d740\"><h3 class=\"uagb-heading-text\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_His_Return_Means\"><\/span>What His Return Means<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Sungmin\u2019s return is not just about music. It\u2019s about healing, owning his narrative, and balancing life as an artist and father. His story resonates beyond K-pop. Many idols and artists face scrutiny when their personal life intersects with their public images. Seeing him confront that head-on offers hope to others who\u2019ve felt lost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He doesn\u2019t promise an instant comeback to Super Junior\u2019s main stage. But his honesty builds bridges. Whether fans accept him or not, he\u2019s moving forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Final_Thoughts\"><\/span>Final Thoughts<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Sungmin\u2019s decade-long silence was not empty. It was filled with fear, self-doubt, and moments of retreat. But it also held growth, fatherhood, and rediscovery. Now, he stands before us again \u2014 not as the same idol, but as someone with deeper scars and a renewed spirit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Stay updated on this evolving journey and more stories from the K-pop and K-drama world. Check out <a href=\"https:\/\/saranghero.com\/\" title=\"\">Saranghero<\/a> for the latest news and features.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>After nearly a decade away from the spotlight, Super Junior\u2019s Sungmin has finally spoken out about his absence. In a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":796,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-795","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-kpop"],"aioseo_notices":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screenshot-49.png",720,429,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screenshot-49-150x150.png",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screenshot-49-300x179.png",300,179,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screenshot-49.png",720,429,false],"large":["https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screenshot-49.png",720,429,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screenshot-49.png",720,429,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Screenshot-49.png",720,429,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Paola","author_link":"https:\/\/saranghero.com\/blog\/author\/paolalimingmail-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":16,"uagb_excerpt":"After nearly a decade away from the spotlight, Super Junior\u2019s Sungmin has finally spoken out about his absence. 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