[Photo by Yoo Dae-gil = dbeorlf123@ajunews.com]
Popular K-pop boy band Super Junior came back as a six-member unit with its eighth studio album "Play", but Siwon was excluded from promotional activities.
The six are Leeteuk, Heechul, Yesung, Shindong, Eunhyuk, Donghae. They were to release the new album's title track "Black Suit" and other songs at 6:00 pm (0900GMT) on Monday.
"As many of you know, Siwon was not able to join our activities. Members feel sad about this," Leeteuk told reporters, pointing to the album jacket photo that showed Siwon.
After he was discharged from his military service in August, Siwon took part in the production of the group's new album and music video, but he was excluded due to a fatal accident involving a family pet dog. He and his family have come under fire for failing to properly restrain their French bulldog which attacked a neighbor
Formed in 2005, the group comprised thirteen members at its peak and gained international recognition with "Sorry, Sorry" in 2009. The boys have since worked as unit groups or Individually due to personal reasons or obligatory military services.
Kangin and Sungmin were excluded for personal reasons such as drunk driving. Sungmin resumed his musical solo activity in January. Four members, including Siwon, have completed their military service, but Ryeowook and Kyuhyun are still in military camps.
"Because we're all in our 30s, there are worries that we will have difficulties. However, we did not take out any power and prepared a superb performance that made Super Junior's color intact," said Eunhyuk:
Initially, Heechul opposed a regular album but he said he changed his mind to respect fans. "It seems to be a lot different from Super Junior's dance music video as a story was included a bit more."
reporter
Lim Chang-won
cwlim34@ajunews.com
