Singer Si-won will not be participating in the broadcast promotions for Super Junior's upcoming new album, following the controversy surrounding the death of a restaurant owner who was bitten by his dog last month.
Super Junior will be releasing their new album "Play" on November 6, which will mark their 12th anniversary since debuting in 2005.
In a statement, Label SJ announced that Si-won will not be part of the album's TV promotions.
"Hello, this is Label SJ. We are relaying a piece of disappointing news to the fans who have been greatly looking forward to Super Junior's long-awaited comeback," the label said.
It added, "Si-won will sadly not be participating in Super Junior's broadcast promotions after their comeback on November 6th with 8th album 'Play'. We apologize to everyone who has been waiting dearly for their comeback, and ask for continued support for Super Junior's new album. Thank you."
This is another setback for Super Junior's comeback plans. When it was announced that the group would be returning with a new album last June, fans demanded that Sungmin and Kangin should not participate. Fans complained that Sungmin was disrespectful towards them.
A month later, Sungmin announced that he would not participate in the album, saying, "However, I really want the next album to do well, so I decided to withdraw from their promotions. In light of ongoing controversies, I feel my decision to step away for this album is the best for the group."
It was originally decided that the album will be participated in by Leeteuk, Siwon, Heechul, Yesung, Shindong, Eunhyuk and Donghae as other members of the group are serving in the army.
However, because of Si-won's dog controversy, only six members will be promoting the album.
Si-won and his family have been receiving flak from netizens after Kim, owner of an upscale restaurant in Seoul, was bitten by their dog Bugsy in an elevator of an apartment building in Seoul on September 30. A CCTV footage of the incident was revealed, showing the dog without any leash.
The businesswoman died days later due to sepsis. Netizens criticized Si-won and his family for allowing the dog to go out without any leash.
Because of the incident, the Korean government has decided to increase the fines for owners who leave their dogs without a leash in public.
