Super Junior’s Sungmin Ends 20-Year Contract with SM Entertainment, Embarks on New Trot Career
On April 30, SM Entertainment confirmed in an official statement that Super Junior’s Sungmin exclusive contract has ended, thanking him for the journey they shared since his trainee days. “We express our deep gratitude to Sungmin, who has been with us for over 20 years, and we will continue to support his new path,” the company said.
Sungmin, who joined SM through an audition in December 2000 as a middle school student, echoed the sentiment in a personal Instagram post. “SM was like a teacher, a family, and a friend to me,” he wrote. “The long journey has come to an end, and now I’m standing at a new starting line with a new dream.”
Sungmin is the first SM idol to officially transition into the trot genre, joining Totalset Entertainment, home to trot singers like Hong Ja and Park Goon. It’s a surprising move for a second-gen idol known for polished pop performances, but one that reflects his evolving musical identity.
Having debuted with Super Junior in 2005, Sungmin has worn many hats: from idol group member to musical actor, solo artist, and most recently, YouTuber and father. In fact, following his 2014 marriage to actress Kim Sa-eun and the birth of their son in 2023, he gradually shifted away from group activities to focus on solo endeavors.
Notably, Sungmin made his official trot debut in 2023, marking a major career pivot that now becomes his main pursuit.
This shift comes as more SM artists step away from the label. Recently, Girls’ Generation’s Sunny, and Red Velvet’s Wendy and Yeri announced their departures as well — though none have taken a leap as bold as Sungmin’s into a traditionally older-leaning genre like trot.
SM Entertainment’s Official Statement
Hello, this is SM Entertainment.
We would like to inform you that our exclusive contract with artist Sungmin has come to an end.
We express our sincere gratitude to Sungmin, who has been with us for over 20 years, from his trainee days to his time as an artist.
We will continue to support Sungmin’s music activities and new beginnings.
We ask for your continued warm interest and support for Sungmin in the future.
Thank you.
Sungmin’s Personal Statement
Hello, this is Sungmin.
In December 2000, as a third-year middle school student full of dreams and courage, I entered the SM audition room. Now, that long journey with SM has come to an end.
To me, SM was like a teacher, a family, and a friend. The time I spent with them over the past 20 years has truly been a great gift. I sincerely thank everyone who has been part of this journey.
Now, I stand again at the starting line, with a new dream in my heart.
Together with the family at Totalset Entertainment, I will walk this new path sincerely and with the same mindset I had at the beginning.
Through heartfelt music and performances, I will repay your support. I will continue to move forward, step by step, with depth and strength.
Thank you.Advertisement
For K-pop fans, it’s an emotional goodbye to a long-standing SM artist. For Sungmin, it’s the start of something deeply personal — a genre rooted in sentiment, storytelling, and vocal nuance.