SHINee's maknae, Taemin, has issued a formal apology following backlash over his comments related to Japan’s earthquake fears.
After SHINee's performance at Show! Music Core in Japan on 5 July, Taemin and fellow member Choi Minho hosted a livestream where they discussed the recent public anxiety surrounding a rumored "megaquake" prediction, which gained traction due to a decades-old manga.
The speculation stems from the 1999 manga The Future That I Saw by Ryo Tatsuki. The manga mentions a massive earthquake predicted to occur in July 2025. Interest in the prediction surged online as the date neared, especially since the manga was said to have eerily foreshadowed the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
One panel in the manga reportedly says, “The real disaster will come in July 2025,” followed by a description, “The ocean floor between Japan and the Philippines will crack.”
During the livestream, Taemin said,
“There was a prediction about the earthquake, right? But everything is still safe, so you really don’t need to worry.”
Minho then asked, “Who was worried?” to which Taemin responded, “Me. I was worried the stage might shake while I was singing. I’m very intuitive. I imagined everything shaking like in 3D during the climax of ‘Idea,’ with fireworks and flames going off,” followed by laughter.
Viewers criticized the remarks as inappropriate and insensitive given the gravity of natural disasters, particularly in a country like Japan that has endured many devastating quakes.
On Sunday, 6 July, Taemin posted an apology on his Instagram story.
"I sincerely apologize for the careless comment I made about the earthquake, which came from a desire to reassure fans who were worried. I now realize that I failed to consider the circumstances of those affected and the dangers of natural disasters, and I deeply regret speaking so lightly," he said.
"I was also very concerned myself and feel relieved that no serious damage occurred. From now on, I will be more thoughtful and careful in what I say. Thank you," he concluded.