Responding to Heechul's message, the group's agency SM Entertainment says in a statement that 'Kim Heechul will be taking part in Super Junior's activities as normal.'
- Oct 18, 2017
AceShowbiz - Ahead of Super Junior's highly-anticipated comeback, one of its members Kim Heechul revealed his worry about his leg condition that might affect the group's activities. He took to Instagram on Tuesday, October 17 to post a lengthy message to his groupmates and fans, apologizing in advance that he would not be able to fully take part in their upcoming album promotions.
"Firstly, I'm writing this post while feeling sorry to my members, since I promised I wouldn't write meaningful posts on social media," he began. "Many already know, but I'm unable to use my left leg properly because of a car accident 11 years ago. However, I've been having fun and enjoying doing activities since that time, and I've done so while smiling no matter how much it hurt."
He continued, "But maybe because a lot of time has passed... I've now become more fearful too. As I said on 'Life Bar' recently, my ankle pain has often become more severe. Sometimes people around me will joke, 'Come on, it's been ten years so it must be all better now!' or 'Aren't you just faking it because you don't want to dance?' and I'd force myself to smile and move on. It's because I've been doing variety shows since my debut, and in a way I've been living a smooth and happy life through variety... so I thought that I have to always make people laugh and act like everything is fine."
"Being a human means that even if I try to do mind control and tell myself 'I'll be okay' and 'It will get better,' when my body doesn't follow along, the inverse proportion with my positive thoughts makes me feel the pain even more," Heechul went on sharing.
"In conclusion, Super Junior is making a comeback on November 6. Since we're making a comeback for the first time in a long while, the members and fans are all excited... and I was of course excited too," he said, before adding, "But I think that I will probably not be able to do normal activities. I apologize again to the fans and members who've waited a long time but... I really have no confidence at all [that I can]... Because I have always been thinking this in my heart, I am ashamed to face the members and fans."
"If I can make you understand and receive forgiveness with the excuse 'I have to work hard in variety and promote!' then I will be even more grateful as I smile and receive rehabilitation treatment, and I will try to keep my strength up. I finish up this post by apologizing to anyone who has possibly felt uncomfortable while reading this selfish message."
He concluded it with a message to his fans, "Please don't get a cold, and no matter how annoying it is, I ask you to always wear a seatbelt while you're in the car. Thank you."
Super Junior's label SM Entertainment has clarified Heechul's statement though, saying that it has been misinterpreted. The agency says, "The post that Kim Heechul wrote due to his worries about his chronic leg pain ahead of their comeback has been misinterpreted. Kim Heechul will be taking part in Super Junior's activities as normal."
SuJu is set to release their new album titled "PLAY" on November 6, the same day the group will celebrate their 12th anniversary.