Super Junior M Members: Why the Subunit Still Matters in 2026

Super Junior M Members: Why the Subunit Still Matters in 2026

Honestly, if you were around for the chaotic energy of late-2000s K-pop, the mention of Super Junior M members probably triggers a very specific kind of nostalgia. Or maybe a bit of trauma if you remember the "Only 13" protests. It was a wild time. SM Entertainment basically decided to take the world's biggest boy band and split them off to conquer China, and while the group hasn't put out a new record in a decade, the individual members are still out here doing the most.

You've got a mix of the "original" Super Junior guys and the "special" members who were added specifically for the Mandarin market. It’s a messy, beautiful history that changed how the industry handles international sub-units forever.

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Who Actually Stayed and Who Left?

When people search for Super Junior M members, they usually want to know who is still "in" the group. The short answer? It’s complicated. Technically, the sub-unit is on an indefinite hiatus, but the lineup evolved significantly from that first 2008 debut.

The Original 2008 Lineup

Initially, the group was a seven-piece. You had Han Geng leading the pack, joined by Siwon, Donghae, Ryeowook, and Kyuhyun. Then SM threw a curveball by adding two "non-SuJu" members: Henry Lau and Zhou Mi.

The fans? They absolutely lost it.

There were literal protests outside the SM building because people didn't want the core 13-member lineup of Super Junior to change. Eventually, everyone cooled down when it was clarified that Henry and Zhou Mi were strictly part of the "M" sub-unit, not the main group.

The 2011 "Perfection" Shake-up

After Han Geng left (more on that lawsuit later), the group needed a reboot. This is when Eunhyuk and Sungmin joined the fray. If you haven't seen the music video for Perfection, go watch it. It’s peak 2011 aesthetics.

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Where Are the Super Junior M Members Now?

It is 2026, and the landscape has shifted. Most of these guys are now industry veterans or "Sunbaes." They aren't just dancing in synchronized formations anymore; they’re running businesses, acting in major dramas, and releasing solo experimental tracks.

  • Zhou Mi: He’s the last man standing in a way. Even though the sub-unit is quiet, Zhou Mi is still under SM Entertainment (Label SJ) and frequently collaborates with the other guys. He even popped up for a feature on a Super Junior-D&E track recently. He's basically the bridge between the old sub-unit era and the current group activities.
  • Henry Lau: Henry is a whole different story. Since leaving SM in 2018, he’s become a massive solo star and a regular on "busking" shows like Begin Again. He’s also quite the businessman, opening his own Taiwanese restaurants in Seoul called Xiao Zhan. Honestly, he seems much happier doing his own thing without the "idol" restrictions.
  • Han Geng: The original leader. He moved back to China years ago and is a massive actor and producer there now. He actually reunited with some of the members at Ryeowook’s wedding in 2024, which basically broke the K-pop internet for a day.
  • Siwon & Donghae: These two are everywhere. Siwon is arguably more famous as an actor and UNICEF ambassador now, while Donghae is constantly touring with Eunhyuk as part of D&E.

The Lawsuit That Changed Everything

You can't talk about Super Junior M members without mentioning the Han Geng lawsuit. In late 2009, Han Geng filed to terminate his contract, citing "slave contract" conditions. It was a landmark case. It wasn't just about him wanting to leave; it exposed the grueling schedules and unfair profit distributions that were standard back then.

Because of that legal battle, the industry actually started seeing more standardized contracts. Han Geng's exit was the first major crack in the "Only 13" foundation, and it paved the way for the sub-unit to evolve into the 2011 version we saw with Eunhyuk and Sungmin.

Why We Still Care About Super Junior M

Why does this sub-unit still get searched for in 2026? It’s because they were the blueprint. Before EXO-M or WayV, there was SJM. They were the first group to really try and integrate Korean and Chinese members for a specific regional market.

They also gave us some of the best Mandopop-Kpop crossover tracks. Super Girl and Break Down are still bangers. Period.

The Sungmin Situation

A lot of people ask why Sungmin isn't active with the main group or the sub-unit anymore. Basically, after his marriage in 2014, a vocal portion of the Korean fanbase turned on him. While he’s still technically a member of Super Junior and was part of the "M" lineup, he has mostly focused on his solo career and YouTube channel lately. It’s a polarizing topic in the fandom, but he remains a part of the group's history.

The Future: Will They Ever Reunite?

Look, a full-blown Super Junior M comeback is unlikely. Most of the members have moved on to very different stages of their careers. However, they are still very close. That 2024 wedding reunion proved that despite the lawsuits, the fan protests, and the years of hiatus, the bond between the Super Junior M members is actually pretty solid.

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If you’re looking to keep up with them, your best bet is following their individual projects. Zhou Mi is still active with singles, Henry is dominating the variety and music scene, and the "main" SuJu guys are basically permanent fixtures on Korean TV.

Actionable Next Steps:

  1. Check out Zhou Mi's latest solo singles on Spotify or YouTube; he's been consistently releasing high-quality Mandopop.
  2. Follow Henry Lau’s "Xiao Zhan" restaurant updates if you're planning a trip to Seoul—the food is legit.
  3. Watch the "Promise" performance (if available in your region), which featured several SJM members together for the first time in years.