SHINee’s Minho has apologized for the controversy surrounding his first full marathon, saying he will not accept the result after footage appeared to show a pacemaker pushing him during the race.
Minho posted the apology on his personal social media on November 3, two days after the 2026 JTBC Seoul Marathon on November 1. Korean entertainment reports, including Star News, carried the full statement the same day.
“I am sorry to have disappointed many people at the marathon I participated in on November 1,” Minho wrote. “Everything happened due to my shortcomings, and as someone who cherishes and loves sports, I feel deeply ashamed.”
“I also do not accept the result of this marathon, and I will not forget the lesson learned from this process,” he added, promising to be more careful so the same incident does not happen again. He closed by sending his respect to hard-working runners.
The race was the 42.195-kilometer 2026 JTBC Seoul Marathon. Minho finished in 3 hours, 0 minutes and 18 seconds, just 18 seconds short of a sub-3 finish inside three hours. It was his first full marathon, and he initially shared his finisher’s certificate online, calling the experience valuable.
The controversy began after footage spread online appearing to show a runner alongside Minho placing a hand on his back and waist area, as if pushing him forward. A pacemaker normally helps a runner hold a steady pace, not supply propulsion through physical contact. Reports cited World Athletics rules barring physical assistance that moves a competitor forward, except for helping a fallen athlete stand up, while stressing the footage alone does not settle whether Minho was actually propelled.
This apology is a new development in a story KpopFizz covered on November 2, when the footage first drew attention and no official statement from Minho was available. His November 3 statement therefore changes the picture. The marathon also capped a busy athletic stretch: on October 26, he placed third in the amateur men’s 35-39 group at the 2026 World Triathlon Cup in Tongyeong, and he is set to hold solo concerts at KBS Arena in Seoul on November 28 and 29.
For now, Minho’s own position is clear, even if the formal record remains a separate question. By refusing his 3:00:18, he has shifted the focus from how fast he finished to how the race was run.
