SHINee's Minho has issued a public apology following the controversy surrounding his participation in the 2026 JTBC Seoul Marathon. The singer took part in the prestigious event on November 1, completing his first full marathon, which covered a distance of 42.195 kilometres. Minho finished the race in 3 hours and 18 seconds, falling just 18 seconds short of the coveted sub-three-hour mark. His impressive timing initially attracted attention, but his marathon achievement soon became the subject of online criticism. Amid the growing backlash, Minho took to social media on November 3 to address the controversy. The singer personally apologised to those who felt disappointed by the incident and acknowledged his shortcomings. In his statement, Minho wrote, "I apologize for disappointing so many people at the marathon I took part in on November 1." He further expressed his disappointment over the incident, adding, "Everything happened because of my own shortcomings, and as someone who loves and cherishes sports, I feel deep shame." The SHINee member also apologised for causing concern and assured fans that he would be more careful in the future. One of the most significant parts of Minho's apology was his decision not to accept the result of the marathon. Acknowledging the lessons from the controversy, he stated, "I, too, will not accept the result of this marathon, and I will not forget the lessons I have learned through this process." He also expressed his respect for fellow participants who trained hard and put in considerable effort to complete the race. Minho concluded his statement by extending his appreciation to all the runners, saying, "I want to express my respect to all the runners who work hard and pour out so much sweat." The singer's apology comes after his first full marathon participation turned into an unexpected controversy, drawing attention to the importance of fair play and sporting integrity. On November 2, a video from the marathon began circulating online, raising questions about Minho's performance. The footage appeared to show his pacemaker reaching out and placing a hand near the singer's waist or back during the race. The video sparked a debate among viewers, with several questioning whether Minho had received physical assistance to maintain his pace. The controversy gained traction as discussions surrounding fair competition and marathon rules intensified. Choi Min-Ho, popularly known as Minho, is a South Korean singer, rapper, songwriter and actor, best known as a member of the K-pop boy group SHINee, which debuted under SM Entertainment in May 2008. Born on December 9, 1991, in Incheon, South Korea, he has also established himself as a solo artist and actor. His music releases include the EPs Chase (2022) and Make It Hot (2026), along with the albums Call Back (2024). As an actor, he has appeared in popular projects such as To the Beautiful You, Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth, Yumi's Cells and The Fabulous. Senior Copy Editor at Times Now, previously associated with OTTplay and Pinkvilla. Experienced in shaping compelling stories, refining content, and de... View More