By JONATHAN HICAP 

Sungmin, 38, a member of K-pop boy band Super Junior, and musical actress Kim Sa-eun, 39, announced that they will be welcoming their first baby after 10 years of marriage. 

On July 16, Sungmin posted an ultrasound photo of a fetus along with the announcement about their first baby on Instagram. 

"A precious baby has come to us. I will become a father after 10 years of marriage. As this baby came with difficulty, we will raise him with love and sincerity with a sense of responsibility,” Sungmin wrote. 

Super Junior's Sungmin and musical actress Kim Sa-eun pose for photos to announce that they will have their first baby in September. Sungmin posted a photo of the fetus (Instagram) 

He added, “I worried a lot about how and when to tell you this news. I am nervous, but I would be grateful if you could watch over me with a warm heart. Now that I have someone to take responsibility for, everything in the world feels more precious than before.” 

"I would like to once again sincerely thank everyone who has always supported and cared for me with love and interest. I will continue to be the singer Sungmin who gives you happiness with good songs. Thank you," he said. 

Sungmin and Kim Sa-eun got married on Dec. 13, 2014 at the Raum Social Venue in Seoul attended by Super Junior including Leeteuk, Kangin, Heechul, Donghae, Eunhyuk, Yesung, Zhoumi of Super Junior M and Ryeowook, who sang at the ceremony.

The two went to the Maldives for their honeymoon.

Super Junior's Sungmin and musical actress Kim Sa-eun at their wedding on Dec. 13, 2014 ( Lee Seung Jin)

Super Junior's Sungmin and musical actress Kim Sa-eun during their honeymoon in the Maldives in January 2015 (Photos: Honeymoon Papa and Kim Sa-eun’s Facebook account)

They first met when they both starred in the Korean musical “The Three Musketeers” in 2013. He announced his wedding to Kim Sa-eun in October 2014 through a letter for fans posted on the Super Junior website. 

Kim Sa-eun also took to Instagram to announce the good news. 

"I'm... pregnant with a baby! This is what it's like to be this nervous...!” she said. 

She added, “After a long wait of 10 years, like a miracle, a baby came to my husband and I. The baby's given name is PoPo.” 

Kim Sa-eun added that she is now eight months pregnant. 

"Time has passed and I'm already 8 months pregnant! I can't believe there's still life in my stomach. I'm spending each day in amazement and just praying for a healthy birth! I was very careful and worried, so I'm a little late in telling you the news. Aunts and uncles, see you in September,” she said. 

Inactive member 

Sungmin is a member of Super Junior but has been inactive in the group since 2015 due to Korean fans. He enlisted in the military in March 2015 and was discharged in December 2016.  

He was ostracized by Korean fans based on several accusations due to his relationship and marriage to Kim Sa-eun. He was accused of not being considerate of Super Junior activities and prioritizing his relationship with Kim Sa-eun. 

Sungmin became a solo singer in 2019 and debuted as a trot singer in 2023. 

In June 2017, Korean fans issued a statement with the title “Sungmin Out,” demanding that he be removed from Super Junior because he deceived and ignored them. 

They said when there were reports about his dating, many fans congratulated him. However, when they asked him about the marriage rumors, Sungmin allegedly ignored them. 

It was when the wedding announcement was released that Korean fans decided to turn their backs on Sungmin. 

To counter this, international fans launched an online petition to support Sungmin. 

“While we can understand, to a degree, the anger from Korean fans towards Sungmin for not having managed the situation better when his relationship with Sa-eun came to light, we also understand that the private life of the members of Super Junior is none of our concern,” they said.

In July 2017, Sungmin announced that he would not participate in Super Junior’s comeback album that was aimed for release in October 2017.

Super Junior's Sungmin and musical actress Kim Sa-eun (Instagram)