i’m a pretty new fan (joined after express mode last year), and i am already aware that super junior are an older group. the oldest are both 42 turning 43 this year, and the youngest will be turning 38 next month. last year was super junior’s 20th anniversary, and they are currently in the final legs of their supporting tour which will end in march with encores in april. it has been very concerning for me that the group is embarking on a very physically tolling concert. i don’t think most kpop fans know how bad it is, but the setlist is awful in terms of rigorous performance; there are several parts of the tour where they’re doing some of their most intense choreographies from their 20 years of discography. many super junior members have already complained of how tolling it is, but that they’ll keep going for the remainder of the concert. they have, however, taken out certain performances because of how strenuous it is on their bodies already from the original setlist. but the one that remains is still awfully rigorous and tolling on their bodies.
i am very concerned, mostly however, for donghae. he will be turning 40 this coming october. one thing about him is that he is a health nut who puts his health and wellbeing first. he goes to the gym every single day, he only eats healthy food no matter how bland it is, and from the very beginning of their career makes it a habit to not drink or smoke like half of the group used to do in their earlier days and is very vocal about keeping fit to stay alive longer. if there is one person i would be hopeful that would be the healthiest and strongest out of all of suju physically, it would be donghae. and he NEVER complains about his own pain or even let elfs know about it. until now.
donghae has been going on live here and there, giving updates about the suju concerts, his experiences, and his upcoming solo album (please stream it and give it a look when it comes out later this year, around may!). but a few months ago, donghae said that the covid pandemic was good for him, because back in 2020 he was thinking of pulling out of performing altogether because of back pain. 2020 was when suju was scheduled to go on super show 8, to america and europe and so many places. the pandemic meant he and suju had to stay in korea. the pandemic meant he could rest. but now? donghae’s injuries and health have been getting worse and are getting exacerbated by the continued activities of not only suju as a group, but also d&e as a subunit, and his own solo work. like yesung, he has a herniated disc that’s been flaring up and getting worse.
a few days ago, heechul said he went to physical therapy with donghae, and according to him, the physical therapist said that donghae’s physical condition was worse than heechul’s. even heechul was shocked at this – heechul, who has admitted he doesn’t really take care of his health and only started to so he could participate with suju for their comeback and tour. heechul, who has an official disability rating from the government and has chronic pain in his leg. it’s awful.
lately, donghae has also been going on live, as the group are still touring asia for super show 10. yesterday, he said that he almost cried when doing mr simple because of the pain, and said he was worried of the condition getting worse, but he still wants to dance even when he turns 50 and 60. he has also talked about how he feels like fans have expectations and pressure on him to keep on performing, and it’s so awful because the fandom would never want to see him hurt and in pain. we would rather the tour end now than see him or his members in pain as well.
and yesterday during a bonamana performance, donghae had trouble standing up and keeping up with the performance. it is not just him. yesung’s herniated disc is acting up again. leeteuk collapsed a few months ago as well. heechul has also been very transparent about how much it hurts to dance and perform with his members as much as he enjoys it.
the worst part is i don’t even think he’ll be resting all that much when the tour is over. in may, he was teasing his solo album. and this year is also d&e’s 15th anniversary, and d&e have a lot of choreo in their subunit-specific songs. they have also been hinting at touring as d&e, and going far beyond where suju go for tours (so europe, america, australia, etc). i just wish he and suju knew their limits and took a long break before even trying to resume their idol activities, whether it be solo, subunit or group. they’re not 20 anymore. if they want to keep dancing and never retire like they swore they would, then they need to take care of their health NOW
submitted by /u/throwawayfriend2006
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