SHINee's MINHO voids marathon record following improper assistance controversy

SHINee's MINHO announced on November 3 that he will not accept his finishing time from the 2026 JTBC Seoul Marathon held on November 1. The singer chose to void his 3:00:18 record after video footage showed a pacemaker physically pushing his back during the race.

SHINee's MINHO has issued a direct apology following controversy regarding improper assistance during his first full-course marathon. Rather than offering explanations or excuses, he admitted his shortcomings and stated he would not accept his finishing record, choosing responsibility over the achievement in the face of criticism regarding sports fairness.

On the 3rd, MINHO posted an apology on his social media, stating, "I am sorry for disappointing many people during the marathon I participated in on November 1." He accepted responsibility for the controversy, adding, "This happened due to my own shortcomings, and as someone who cherishes and loves sports, I feel great shame."

He also expressed his determination not to let this incident be a one-time mistake. "I say once again that I am sorry for causing concern. I will pay more attention to ensure the same thing does not happen again and strive to always show a good side," he promised. Amid various interpretations of the incident, he prioritized admitting his fault and emphasizing the prevention of recurrence.

The most notable part of his statement was his stance on his finishing record. "I will not accept the results of this marathon, and I will not forget the lessons learned in this process," MINHO stated. He added, "I express my respect to the runners who pour in countless drops of sweat through their efforts." He made it clear that he intended to respect the efforts of other participants and the spirit of sports rather than presenting his own record as an achievement.

MINHO participated in the 2026 JTBC Seoul Marathon held on the 1st, completing the 42.195km full course in 3 hours 00 minutes 18 seconds. In his first full-course challenge, he narrowly missed 'sub-3'—finishing in under 3 hours—by just 18 seconds, but the record itself drew attention as a significant achievement. At the time, he shared his thoughts, saying, "Safely completed my first full marathon... failed sub-3... 18 seconds... still a very valuable experience. The reason life is a marathon."

However, the joy of completion was short-lived. Controversy began as a video circulated on online communities showing a pacemaker physically pushing MINHO's back during the race. Suspicions were raised that the contact went beyond simple encouragement or pace adjustment to provide physical assistance, leading to criticism regarding whether the rules and fairness required in sports were followed.

Views on the controversy were divided. Some questioned the legitimacy of the record, suggesting the contact could constitute assistance not permitted under racing regulations. On the other hand, some opinions suggested that questioning momentary contact intended as encouragement was excessive. However, since a marathon is a race where all participants test their limits under the same rules regardless of whether a famous celebrity is participating, the debate over the fairness of the record did not easily subside.

MINHO's apology came amidst this controversy. He did not provide lengthy explanations regarding the specific scene or shift responsibility to others. Instead, he emphasized respect for sports by admitting his shortcomings and stating he would not accept the result. He focused on apologizing to the runners and the public who were disappointed by the controversy rather than clinging to his record.

For MINHO, who has been noted for his sincerity and challenging spirit toward exercise, this full-course marathon was a challenge of special meaning. However, the achievement of the finish and the near-sub-3 record were overshadowed by the unexpected controversy. The importance of sports fairness and responsibility has emerged as a more significant value than the symbolic achievement of his first full course.

MINHO promised not to forget the lessons learned from this incident. His choice to not recognize his own record is seen as a way to show how he accepts responsibility for sportsmanship and fairness, rather than simply ending the controversy instantly. Separate from the competitive spirit he has shown on grand stages, attention is focused on whether this apology will lead to actual prevention of recurrence and responsible action.

Read the original (Korean)