A K-Pop group had a creative solution to a big problem.
In 2009, SM Entertainment boy group SHINee hit a big roadblock in the middle of their “Ring Ding Dong” promotions. Main vocalist Jonghyun unfortunately fell sick and could not join them on stage.
Instead of reorganizing the formations and having some members learn his lines on the spot, they decided on something no other group had done thus far: getting their friend and senior to take Jonghyun’s place.
Thus, on November 1, 2009, Super Junior‘s Yesung shocked viewers when he turned his back and revealed it was him at the center of the stage.
His distinctive voice opened the song, with his strong vocals proving that he is a main vocalist in his own group for a reason.
Not only did he memorize a completely new dance and executed it well enough to blend in, but Yesung also took on the most vocally challenging parts.
i haven’t seen a kpop group do smth like this since 2009 when shinee pulled in yesung and leeteuk from super junior to perform in place of jonghyun and onew when they were sick with swine flu pic.twitter.com/VcPvhn3vRX https://t.co/0Qjwnk1HJf
— eIIie (@homogot7) April 21, 2024
Netizens found the entire concept hilarious. They compared this situation to their modern day equivalents, such as STARSHIP Entertainment boy group CRAVITY being joined on stage by their senior, Shownu from MONSTA X.
omg this is cracking me up imagine a cravity member not being able to perform and they come out on stage with shownu https://t.co/FI2GNLajWd
— vectra (@joobiecore) April 21, 2024
Others noted that a member from a group sitting in for another would be easy for NCT in particular. They, after all, already have the concept of NCT U which brings together idols from various NCT sub-units for certain songs.
nct is not utilizing their members enough for me https://t.co/CLvCEWIWH4
— chanyeolie-o’s (@songmingies) April 21, 2024
When it comes to thinking of solutions to problems, these idols know just what to do!
