On August 29, a video titled “Profile Photoshoot After 10 YearsㅣKang In #profilephotoshoot” was uploaded to Kangin’s YouTube channel.
In the video, Kangin looked clean and neat and said, “The reason I called the production team today is because I didn’t want you to think less of me just because I kept showing you scenes of me eating ice cream soup,” she joked as she headed to her profile photoshoot.
She also expressed her embarrassment and nervousness, saying: “I still feel weird; it’s the first time I’ve taken pictures in 10 years and I can’t shake the tension.”
After reviewing the shots, Kangin felt embarrassed by how he appeared to be trying to be cool, saying, “I can’t stand looking at myself in the mirror” but then he added“But the heart on the cheek is cute, my family will like it,” she successfully concluded the shooting.
Kangin debuted with Super Junior in 2005 and gained popularity through his performances and appearances on variety shows. However, in 2009, he caused controversy due to drunk driving and a minor taxi accident, which led to a period of self-reflection before enlisting in the military. After his discharge, he returned to activities but was involved in a second drunk driving incident in 2016, followed by a physical fight, which led to further legal problems.
In 2019, when his name was mentioned in connection with the so-called Jung Joon-young group chat scandal, Kangin finally announced his voluntary departure from Super Junior, expressing only regret towards the other members.
Although he left the group, he renewed his contract with SM Entertainment last year. During an appearance on a YouTube channel at the time, Kangin expressed his hesitation about returning to the industry, saying, “I don’t think it’s up to me to decide. Even saying ‘if I get a chance’ is hard. I haven’t even forgiven myself. I was immature. I made the same mistake over and over again, and I knew it was wrong then and I still know it now.”
Then, in May of this year, fan communication platform DearU Bubble announced Kangin’s comeback, marking his first official activity in about five years since leaving Super Junior.
With the news of his profile photoshoot and comeback, fans have been flooding him with support. International fans have commented, saying, “I’m so happy to see you again, oppa”, “Thank you for coming back”, “I hope to see you more in the media”, AND “We know you’ve been thinking for 5 years and you deserve praise.”
It seems that after 15 years of self-reflection, fans have forgiven the male idol despite his various controversies, including drunk driving.
On the other hand, while the issue of drunk driving is taken quite seriously in Korea, especially in the recent case of BTS’s Suga, international media believe that the Korean media is too harsh.
Source: Nate
