As per media reports on April 18th, it was announced that singer Sungmin will be leaving SM Entertainment after 20 years under the label. His contract with SM Entertainment is ending at the end of this month, and Sungmin has made the decision not to renew it. Instead, he will be focusing on his trot singing career with Total Set, a music agency that specializes in trot music.

Sungmin had previously expressed his desire to transition from a K-Pop singer to a trot singer while participating in the trot competition program 'Mister Trot 2' in 2022. In 2023, he officially debuted as a trot singer with his first single, "Lovesick."

There is anticipation around whether Sungmin's departure from SM Entertainment will also mark his formal separation from Super Junior, considering the group's inactivity for almost 9 years. Also, it was shared that Chef Edward Lee hopes to continue staying in Korea as his journey concludes on 'Edward Lee's Country Cook.'