Super Junior’s Donghae reveals he almost debuted in Big Bang and considered leaving SM Entertainment

Super Junior member Donghae revealed that he once came very close to debuting as part of Big Bang, a story that even his longtime friend Eunhyuk was hearing for the first time.

On April 24, a video titled 'Haru Haru & Sorry, Sorry still playing on my MP3...🎵 | ZIP DAESUNG ep.104 DONGHAE x EUNHYUK' was released on the YouTube channel ZIP DAESUNG.

In the episode, Donghae of Super Junior appeared as a guest alongside Eunhyuk, where he spoke about his long-standing friendship with singer Se7en. Donghae explained that Se7en (real name Choi Dong-wook) had been close with a friend from Anyang Arts High School, and that they had known each other well before debut. He recalled visiting Se7en’s dorm and being introduced to friends, after which Se7en quickly rose to fame.

Daesung asked whether Donghae had ever met G-Dragon and Taeyang. Donghae replied, “I didn’t know them, but I’ve seen them before.” He continued, “Dongwook hyung really liked me when I was younger. One day, he called me saying he was in Apgujeong, even though he was usually in Hapjeong. He never really called me before, so I went, and G-Dragon and Taeyang were there at a PC café.”

Donghae added, “The three of them were playing games together. I was thinking, ‘Who are these people?’ It was the first time I was called like that. Their energy was very high.” He also recalled spending time with Se7en, G-Dragon, and Taeyang at restaurants and even dancing at the Han River, noting that he felt a clear difference between the atmosphere of YG and SM Entertainment.

Daesung then asked, “If you had stayed close there, could you have ended up in Big Bang?” Donghae responded, “I almost did.” Eunhyuk, who has known Donghae for 25 years, reacted in shock, saying, “I’ve known you for 25 years and this is the first time I’m hearing this.”

Donghae went on to explain that SM Entertainment had originally planned to debut a five-member group around June 25, 2002. The group trained for nearly three years, but the plan was delayed due to the World Cup and eventually postponed indefinitely.

“At that time, someone close to Se7en told me that YG was preparing a male idol group and asked if I wanted to join,” Donghae said. “I even told my manager I would move to YG.”

However, his manager advised him to wait. Donghae eventually stayed with SM Entertainment and later debuted as part of Super Junior.

Looking back, he said, “After debuting, I realized that those five members became Big Bang.”

SEE ALSO: Big Bang announces 20th anniversary global tour with official teaser poster

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