After over 17 years with SM Entertainment, Super Junior‘s Donghae, Eunhyuk, and Kyuhyun are parting ways with the agency. On July 14, SM Entertainment announced that the three decided not to renew their individual contracts. But although they’ll explore new avenues independently, they’ll continue participating in group activities under the SM Entertainment banner.
Donghae and Eunhyuk, aka the Super Junior unit D&E, are reportedly planning to establish their own label as co-founders. It remains to be seen whether the D&E unit will continue promoting as SM Entertainment artists or under the new label founded by Donghae and Eunhyuk.
#SUPERJUNIOR renewed with SM as a group#Eunhyuk, #Donghae and #Kyuhyun will do (individual) activities separately from SM and SM supports the challenge the members want to do
Super Junior plans to meet the fans globally with new music, performances & fanmeeting this year pic.twitter.com/Zd4XihAUD7
— LABEL ELF (@labELFofficial) July 14, 2023
Meanwhile, Kyuhyun is in talks to sign an exclusive contract with Antenna, a label founded by Yoo Hee Yeol and home to artists like Jung Seung Hwan, Lee Hyori, Lee Sang Soon, and Yoo Jae Suk. Antenna has confirmed that discussions with Kyuhyun are progressing nicely, but nothing has been decided.
In addition to their career moves, Eunhyuk and Kyuhyun will soon be moving out of Super Junior‘s dorm in Cheongdam. They’re currently searching for new homes in the vicinity.
Oh noo super junior legendary dorm will become a history now 🥹 Kyuhyun, your time has come. Thank you for taking care and protect super junior dorm up until now 🥹 yall should throw a party there! @SJofficial pic.twitter.com/q1iOvZIXnD
— 𝚊 𝚢 𝚊 ♡ 𝚜 𝚞 𝚙 𝚎 𝚛 𝚜 𝚑 𝚒 𝚗 𝚎 𝚎 (@sjsofabulous) July 14, 2023
At least we got a last glimpse of Super Junior in the dorm room where they shared, lived together and created precious memories for several years 🥹🫶🏻
— nati ◡̈ (@skymarksung) July 14, 2023
Despite their departure from SM Entertainment as individuals, Donghae, Eunhyuk, and Kyuhyun will maintain ties with the agency for their group activities as Super Junior. The group, which debuted in 2005, has renewed its contract with SM Entertainment.
The remaining members of Super Junior—Choi Siwon, Kim Heechul, Leeteuk, Ryeowook, Shindong, and Yesung—have all renewed their contracts with the agency.
By the end of the day what builds the super junior name and brand is the members and elfs, not sm. Hopefully this new change means we’re seeing bigger and better things~ dont fret everyone! No one loves suju more than suju themselves! Just trust them💙
— hannah🌷jellybeans (@thesquishybean) July 14, 2023
As Super Junior approaches its 18th anniversary, its fans can look forward to new developments in 2023 and beyond. SM Entertainment said it would support the three members’ new paths and plans to communicate closely with them to make it easy for Donghae, Eunhyuk, and Kyuhyun to carry out their group and solo activities simultaneously.
Featured Image: Super Junior’s SS9 in Seoul concert last April marked their last South Korean gig where they were all under SM Entertainment. Source: Instagram/SuperJunior’s official Instagram account.
