Super Junior's Donghae reveals he nearly debuted with BIGBANG

Super Junior member Donghae has revealed that when he was just a trainee, he once considered leaving SM Entertainment so he can debut with a Kpop group called BIGBANG.

The revelation was announced on a talk show hosted by Daesung of BIGBANG, where Lee Donghae was a guest alongside longtime friend and co-member Eunhyuk, 37 (real name Lee Hyuk-jae).

During the episode, Donghae, 39, talked about his early connections with singer Se7en (whose real name is Choi Don-Wook), explaining that they had known each other through mutual friends. 

He recalled being suddenly called out by Se7en to Apgujeong, an upscale neighborhood in trendy Gangnam. There he found G-Dragon and Taeyang at an internet café. “I didn’t know them, but I’ve seen them (before),” he said.

At that time, he was thinking, “Who are these people?” He described their energy as intense and very different from what he was used to at SM Entertainment.

Donghae also shared that they later hung out together casually, including restaurant meetups and even dancing by the Han River. Looking back, he noticed a clear difference in atmosphere between YG and SM trainees.

Things took a surprising turn when Daesung, 37, asked if Donghae could have ended up in BIGBANG. Donghae admitted, “I almost did.”

He explained that at one point, SM Entertainment’s debut plans for his group were repeatedly delayed. The original plan for a five-member group was pushed back due to major events at the time, eventually leaving their debut uncertain.

Around that period, someone close to Se7en suggested Donghae consider moving to YG, telling him they were preparing a five-member boy group. Donghae recalled thinking seriously about it and even told his manager, “If our team isn’t happening, I’d like to leave and go to YG.”

He admitted he didn’t fully understand contract details back then and that his main focus was simply debuting. His manager wisely advised him to wait. Donghae ultimately stayed with SM Entertainment, eventually debuting as part of Super Junior.

The two reacted in shock.  Even Donghae's co-member Eunhyuk, who has known him for over 25 years, said that it was his first time  hearing that story. Amused, BIGBANG'S Daesung told Donghae, "In that case, one of us might not have been able to debut.” 

Donghae admitted that he had did not tell anyone about it for 21 years. In his mind, he was hoping that one day, he could tell that story to a BIGBANG member himself.