Kangin's comeback saves K-pop band Super Junior
With his incredible smile and witty humour, Kangin was once the livewire of the South Korean supergroup Super Junior. But two arrests—one for assault, one for a DUI and hit and run—put his K-pop music career on ice. So he enlisted in the army instead.
And now he’s back! The 27-year-old soldier boy completed his military service in April and has rejoined the massively popular boyband, just in time for the release of their sixth album in July, less than a year after their last CD Mr Simple.
His return isn’t a second too late for Super Junior. Their 12-member line-up has been badly shaken in recent times due to their individual commitments.
Kibum has been absent from most of their activities since their third CD Sorry, Sorry to pursue his acting career. Sole Chinese member Han Geng left them last year after a bitter dispute with their management team, SM Entertainment.
Meanwhile, Heechul, who took over from Kangin as the most popular member of the group, followed in his boot-steps and enlisted in the army last September. And leader of the band Leeteuk is expected to serve in the military soon, too.
Kangin was a regular face on the South Korean entertainment circuit before two scuffles forced his career to stall. In 2009, he was arrested on an assault charge and later he was arrested again on a DUI and hit-and-run charge.
Though he escaped the first charge by pleading self-defence, both arrests marred his image and SM Entertainment suspended him from all activity. So he fulfilled his mandatory national service duty and spent almost three years with the army.
The new Super Junior CD will showcase the “best side” of Kangin, says the management team. Prior to this, it was rumoured that he was considering his comeback with a musical theatre in Japan. But he’s now getting himself slim and fit again for the gruelling K-pop showbusiness.
Super Junior used to have 13 members. Now it's just 12, even with Kangin's comeback.
Source: Yes Entertainment
Published: 21st June 2012
Comments (2)
He's just trained 3 years in the army..??!!! K-pop must be some super tough hellhole, or some pansy walk in the park.