Leeteuk defends stylists amid SM concert costume controversy

Super Junior leader Leeteuk addresses costume reuse controversy at SM concert.

Super Junior’s Leeteuk recently addressed fan concerns regarding costume reuse during SM Entertainment’s 30th-anniversary concert ‘SMTOWN LIVE 2025 [THE CULTURE, THE FUTURE] in SEOUL,’ held on January 11th and 12th KST at Gocheok Sky Dome, Seoul.

In a live broadcast on January 12th, Leeteuk clarified, “Some are saying, ‘Aren’t these outfits reused from years ago?’ The truth is, the stylist team did their best within the limited production budget. Creating new costumes costs money, and sometimes we cover those costs. So, we reused some outfits we had previously worn. Please don’t be too critical.”

He further elaborated, “Costume production isn’t cheap. It costs hundreds of thousands of won to make tailored outfits. The stylists measure our sizes, choose materials, and design the costumes from scratch. It’s a lot of work.”

Leeteuk expressed his concern for the stylists, stating, “I’m addressing this because misunderstandings can arise. Stylists work hard, but fans might think, ‘Why are they reusing costumes? Are they even doing their job?’ Stylists can’t publicly explain these circumstances, so I feel I need to step in. If I don’t, they’ll unfairly take the blame.”

He added, “We also think carefully about reusing costumes. If we repeatedly wear the same outfits, it wouldn’t feel right. But we make sure to rotate or repurpose them thoughtfully. Fans should know there’s a reason behind these decisions. Costumes can be reused for events or other performances to avoid waste.”

Leeteuk’s candid explanation sheds light on the logistical and financial considerations behind concert production, calling for understanding toward the hardworking stylists and production team.