SHINee's Minho apologizes over marathon pacer controversy, says he will not accept his result
SHINee's Minho posted an apology on social media on November 3 after a video raised questions about whether a fellow runner physically helped him during the 2026 JTBC Seoul Marathon, saying he will not accept his own result.
SHINee's Minho has apologized after a clip from the 2026 JTBC Seoul Marathon led to accusations that he got outside help. In a post on November 3 (KST), he said everything happened because of his own shortcomings and that, as someone who loves sports, he felt deep shame.
Minho finished the November 1 race, his first full marathon, in 3:00:18. A video that circulated the next day appeared to show a runner behind him putting a hand on his back, and people online argued over whether it counted as forbidden physical assistance. Minho said he would not accept the result and would be more careful in the future. He ended the post with respect for "all the runners who work hard and pour out so much sweat" (translation via Soompi).
Confirmed
- In a post on his social media on November 3 (KST), Minho wrote (translation via Soompi): "I apologize for disappointing so many people at the marathon I took part in on November 1."
- He added: "I, too, will not accept the result of this marathon, and I will not forget the lessons I have learned through this process."
Reported by other outlets
- Minho ran his first full marathon at the 2026 JTBC Seoul Marathon on November 1 and finished in 3:00:18, 18 seconds short of a sub-three-hour time (Hankyung, Hankyoreh, Soompi).
- A video that spread online on November 2 appeared to show a runner behind him touching or pushing his back, sparking debate over whether it broke race rules (Hankyung, Soompi).
- Hankyoreh reports that the Korea Association of Athletics Federations rules followed by the race do not allow physical assistance that helps a runner move forward, except helping a fallen runner up, and that this can lead to disqualification without warning.
Unconfirmed
- No official ruling from the race organizers on Minho's result has been reported.