ICYMI, Ryeowook of Super Junior just announced his engagement! On Friday, March 29, the K-pop idol took to Instagram to share the happy news via a handwritten letter.
READ: Ryeowook's handwritten letter announcing his engagement
"To our ELF whose existence is like blue starlight," he began. "I have some news that I wanted to share directly with our ELF, my most precious friends, who always send me love and support with all their hearts. This is a letter written with the hope that my sincerity is conveyed to all of you."
The Korean artist goes on to detail his 20-year career in the K-pop entertainment industry, and how fans have always steadfastly stood by his side. He then opens up about his relationship with former TAHITI member Ari.
"As you are aware, there is someone I am seeing. Over the time we spent together, I naturally developed a desire to become family with her. This is not a sudden decision but one I’ve been deliberating for a long time, and after long discussion with the members and agency staff, I decided to have my wedding this spring in late May."
Ryeowook then acknowledges his gratefulness toward ELF, his fellow Super Junior members, and the SM staff for supporting his decision and giving him strength.
"ELF! The weather is still quite cold. Always dress warmly, and be careful to not catch a cold. I always feel grateful and love you," he ended his heartfelt message.
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READ: Ryeowook and Ari's relationship timeline
On September 30, 2020 news broke that Ryeowook and Ari had entered a relationship. Label SJ, an exclusive label for Super Junior under SM Entertainment, verified the news: "We confirmed that Ryeowook and Ari are in a romantic relationship after they were first close as senior and junior artists." Prior to dating, Ryeowook and Ari were introduced to each other by an acquaintance.
Super Junior Talk About Marriage in 2019 on My Little Old Boy
In episode 160 of the variety show My Little Old Boy, the Super Junior members appeared as guests to promote the shooting of their "I Think I" MV, a track from their 9th studio album Time_Slip.
During their lunch break, the members talked about their own age, their parents' age, and their personal thoughts on marriage. "At what age do you want to get married?," Heechul asked. Siwon shared, "Before I turn 40." Heechul added, "I would also say that in the past, but I'm almost 40 now." "Come to think of it, my father is growing old now.
Leeteuk suggested that it might actually be better to get married later in life. "8 to 9 of my friends older than me tell me to get married at a later age. When I asked them why, they said that people these days live to 100, so if you get married in your 20s [you have to] live with the same person for 80 years...They got married in their later 20s. They say you get to live together for 60 years if you get married in your 40s, and that's reasonable."
However, Shindong expressed some worries about expecting his future grandchildren --"Let's say that I'm getting married at 45. I have a baby right away, and if it's 20, I'm 65. Then look. He or she gets married again at at 45 and has a baby...I'm worried if I can see my grandson." Maknae (youngest member) Kyuhyun made everyone laugh when he broke the serious mood and pensively said, "I think I'll live to 150."
Super Junior Play A Game To Decide Who Should Get Married First
In their waiting room, the members continued their convo on marriage and kids. "After we have babies, we're going to have them do Super Junior again," Eunhyuk revealed. "Super Junior Junior, SJJ." Heechul suggested.
someone suggested their go-to game to pass the time. "Should we play rock-paper-scissors and make the loser marry first?. Shindong jokingly asked, "What if the person who wins really gets married first? That would be amazing. Let's give a time limit. The winner will get married in 3 years."
Leeteuk was quick to suggest a penalty: "If you don't get married in three years, you will be unlucky." The members immediately shot it down, saying it was too mean, so Leeteuk revised his statement to: "If you don't get married in three years, you will be unlucky for three years."
Shindong suggested a monetary punishment instead. "If you don't get married in three years, give us 1,000 dollars each." That means giving P56,243 to each member in October 2022. As of writing, multiplied by eight equals P449,944. The members joked that frugal Leeteuk would never agree to pay, so he'd just get married. LOL!
"If you win and you don't have a girlfriend, the rest of you should introduce him to ladies," Yesung added. "You should support him, too."
Donghae and Ryeowook were the last two remaining players of the game, and Wookie ended up being the loser (or in this case...winner?).
The episode aired in October 2019, and less than a year later his relationship with Ari was confirmed! Now that Ryeowook has announced his engagement, we only have one question (well, two)—does he still need to pay the penalty (with two years' worth of interest)?
And will D&E perform "Oppa, Oppa" at his wedding, as they've done at the suju noona weddings for Heejin (Heechul's sister), Ara (Kyuhyun's sister), Inyoung (Leeteuk's sister), and most recently, Sora (Eunhyuk's sister)?
