SHINee member Choi Min-ho (최민호) recently participated in the 2026 JTBC Seoul Marathon, completing his first full marathon of 42.195 kilometers in 3 hours and 18 seconds. However, controversy erupted after the race when footage surfaced showing a pacer allegedly placing a hand on Minho's waist and pushing him from behind, leading to questions from netizens about potential rule violations.
Minho personally posted an apology on November 3, stating, "I am truly sorry for disappointing many people regarding the marathon I participated in on November 1. This was all due to my own shortcomings, and as someone who cherishes and loves sports, I feel very ashamed."
He continued, "I apologize once again to everyone for causing concern with this incident. I will not accept this marathon result myself, and I will never forget the lessons learned during the process." Minho candidly acknowledged his shortcomings in response to public criticism, bowing his head in apology to the public.
Below are translated comments from Korean netizens
1. The apology is very straightforward. I hope he succeeds in running under 3 hours in his next marathon.
2. He probably means that even if there's an official record, he won't consider it his own; what's there to nitpick?
3. Why would the pacer push his back? Minho himself must feel regretful.
4. So, is this controversy real?
5. He has apologized properly himself. He'll prepare well and participate in another marathon next time, right?
6. It's good that he didn't make excuses. I hope he trains well this winter and definitely runs under 3 hours next year.
7. He didn't explain what he would do or what happened.
8. Was he really pushed from behind?? Or just a slight touch?? So disappointing.
9. The phrase "I will not accept the result" is subtle. Those who don't understand have no idea what happened.
10. Does "not accepting the result" mean he will return the record?
11. At first, everyone said it wasn't a competition, so what did it matter? I thought so too, but then public opinion changed, and I wondered if there was new information?? ㅋㅋㅋ What exactly happened?
12. He apologized well. Train hard this winter and definitely run under 3 hours next year.
13. I don't know if Minho asked to be pushed, but anyway, the apology is very straightforward.
14. In that case, I think the apology is very clear-cut...
15. Based on what people who ran with him wrote on Threads, some said it didn't seem like he was pushed, so it's best to judge for yourself. And anyway, that record was outside the top 1000, far from the leading positions, so frankly, it's not a big deal. Celebrities are usually placed at the front of their group regardless of their record (I've also run a full marathon, and I really didn't think anything of it...)
16. The pacer should know the rules best, so why do something that violates them...? So many people are watching. He might feel unfairly treated because he just ran, as some people get disqualified for such violations.
17. He himself admitted it, so of course the record doesn't count, right? Why ask what he'll do? It's obvious.
18. There are many celebrities who cause social controversy. To get angry over such a small matter, this level of apology is enough. Go Minho!
19. This should put an end to it.
20. Although it didn't mention what happened, that's how it is. Does "not accepting the result" mean he wants to pretend it didn't happen?
21. I think this is very straightforward....... It's not like he won an award, I don't know what else they want him to do. The phrase "return the record" itself is strange... Disqualification should be decided by the organizers.
22. This should be enough, it's not like he was on the podium receiving prize money;; Saying "return the record" probably just means he won't submit this record when participating next time ㅋㅋ How can an amateur athlete return a record.....
23. It's not a huge deal, feels a bit overblown.
24. Disqualification is the organizer's business. He himself said he wouldn't consider this record his own, so what's there to say? From the comments, it doesn't seem like a significant marathon record...
25. He's not building his career on this record; it's just for honor? Self-satisfaction, right? He said he wouldn't accept this record, is that so hard to understand? ㅋㅋㅋ What else can he do?
26. It's not like he won an award, so being so dramatic is even stranger. While the organizers might disqualify him, he himself said he wouldn't accept the record. ㅋㅋㅋ I find it strange how this whole thing escalated so much. Among runners, they just said it wasn't an award, maybe he was just pushed a little, and then suddenly it blew up.
27. What's the problem with being outside the top 1000...? I thought he was among the top few.
28. Okay, I hope he can complete it honorably again ㅎㅇㅌ (Hwaiting)
29. But the pacer should know the rules best, why would he touch him?
30. He just needs to not mention the record again and not upload related content. The apology is good.
31. It's not like he won an award, isn't this level of apology letter enough?
32. The apology letter is poorly written.
33. It's not a medal or prize money, just a personal record, so there's nothing to return. He just said he wouldn't accept the result ㅋㅋㅋ
34. It's not his main profession or a professional competition. Apologizing and preventing recurrence should be enough. Why keep criticizing him?
35. If he wrote it too detailed, he'd be criticized for using AI.
36. He's not a marathon runner, what's there to return or not return about that record?
