Super Junior's Leeteuk actively participated in an interview to speak about his life as leader of the boy group Super Junior.
Leeteuk made his Super Junior breakthrough in 2005. It hasn't been easy to be the leader of the nation's first band with many members, but for 15 years, he has kept steadily on the spot.
First off, Leeteuk gave a life update. He said, "I've been involved on TV shows all the time and I've just launched my own YouTube channel lately. I share radio content named 'Leeteuk's Kiss the YouTube.' I read so many stories collected through e-mail, cook, and do mukbang (eating live stream) under the idea of' The Resting Place of Tired Souls. The intention was to air live once per week, but the feedback was better than I anticipated so I do it every day. My usual routine is waking up in the morning, walking my dog, exercising and doing 'Leeteuk's YouTube Kiss."
When asked how he became the Super Junior leader, Leeteuk responded, "I was granted leadership position because I'm the senior in the group. I was gearing up for my debut with a five-member band named Smile, which I was also the leader of, before Super Junior was established. At the time, too, the task was a little challenging and I became concerned when I had to lead even more members. I said beforehand, I couldn't do it. SM Entertainment's new CEO, Tak Young Joon, who was a consultant at the time, inspired me by sharing me a bunch of stories, and I became the leader because I was brave enough to make my debut. That was the start. I was able to do my job successfully since becoming a leader, and there are a lot of people around me who motivate me. The members have done a lot for me as well."
He continued to talk about the leadership role, saying, "There was pressure to lead the team. Once, two days after joining the team as a new trainee, Ryeowook had to master the dance routines, and when we were assessed he made errors in some portions. We were lambasted a lot, being told things like, 'If this scene were for a telecast, a serious deal would have been made.' The agency was training us for the unknown, as after our debut we will have to train for performances a lot quicker. Since I got berated I focused a lot about myself. Only if I was a 'professional' could I make my debut, so I felt the pressure and urge to work extra hard."
Leeteuk also commented about the differences between then and now as a leader, saying, "I was always energetic when I was a Rookie. I usually accompanied the members to say hello to our seniors when we headed to the broadcast channel and worked with boundless energy. I was a novice with nothing at all and I was full of positive spirit. So, after receiving bigger and greater things with Super Junior, I became more worried. I was concerned if anything goes terribly wrong, that's going to hurt the team. When you get stuck it won't be easy to make a return. This is why I am now more careful than I had just debuted."
Speaking of the challenges in the past, Leeteuk said, "We were at our peak when bad things happened. And in the dorm, I cried continuously. But, reflecting back, those major and small things put the team stronger together. I once said during an awards ceremony, 'Dangerous waves make strong boatmen.' I think that story is Super Junior's.
Personally, I'd like to go on stage with all 13 members, once we get the opportunity. Generally, that is only if there were no members who oppose it. The existing members are the most important, as for me."
