Fans call for Choi Siwon’s exit from Super Junior after Charlie Kirk tribute as Leeteuk’s Instagram unfollow sparks rift rumours

K-pop boy group Super Junior member Choi Siwon recently posted a tribute on Instagram after the assassination of conservative activist and political commentator Charlie Kirk. Following that, Leeteuk (Park Jung Su), the leader of Super Junior, has unfollowed Siwon on social media and was seen ignoring him in a video that has since gone viral, sparking rift rumours within the group.

What Siwon said on Instagram and on Bubble

Taking to his Instagram account following Charlie Kirk's death earlier this week, Siwon first shared two short tributes. One was a photo of Charlie Kirk with the words “REST IN PEACE CHARLIE KIRK” alongside a cross. The second showed Kirk with his family, where Siwon added the Bible verse, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Both posts were quickly noticed, stirred strong reactions, and were later deleted after the backlash.

Choi Siwon under fire for mourning Charlie Kirk's death | Credit: X/@pannchoa

On Bubble, Siwon tried to explain where he was coming from. He said he had shared the posts out of respect for Kirk as a fellow Christian, a husband, and someone who had been killed while addressing students. According to Siwon, it wasn’t meant as a political statement but as a personal expression of sympathy. He also added that he took the posts down because he felt his intentions were being misunderstood and twisted by the media.

Choi Siwon defends his Charlie Kirk tribute after backlash | Credit: X/@fxnabimeu

Leeteuk’s unfollowing and the viral video

Not long after Siwon’s tribute made headlines, fans noticed that Leeteuk had unfollowed him on Instagram. Around the same time, a clip from the airport began circulating online, showing Leeteuk walking past Siwon without so much as a glance. For many, the lack of interaction looked deliberate, and it quickly set off speculation about tension between the two.

Super Junior’s leader Leeteuk has ignored and even unfollowed fellow member Choi Siwon on Instagram after Siwon shared a story mourning Charlie Kirk #SIWON_OUT pic.twitter.com/QdK2NWSdwq

Still, there’s no official word confirming whether Leeteuk’s social media move or his behaviour in the video was intentional. Some argue it might just be coincidence or the kind of distancing idols sometimes do online, while others believe it reflects genuine frustration. For now, most of what’s being said is coming from fans and social media chatter rather than direct statements.

Who Charlie Kirk was and how he died

Charlie Kirk was a conservative activist from the United States, best known as the founder of Turning Point USA, a youth-focused political group that pushed strongly for pro-Trump policies and conservative ideals. He often spoke out against what he called “woke” culture and took firm stances on issues like abortion, gun rights, and election integrity. These positions made him a deeply polarising figure — celebrated by many on the right but just as strongly criticised by those on the left who saw his rhetoric as divisive and inflammatory.

Charlie Kirk was shot dead during Utah Valley University event | Credit: X/@UshaVancenews

On September 10, 2025, Kirk was speaking to thousands of students at Utah Valley University during his “American Comeback Tour”. What began as a routine Q&A session turned tragic when he was shot in the neck in what authorities believe was a targeted attack. He died shortly after, and officials later confirmed it was being treated as a political assassination. A suspect was taken into custody, but the shock of the incident left both his supporters and critics stunned.

Why the backlash and why fans are calling for Si-won to leave Super Junior

For many fans, Siwon’s tribute felt like more than just a simple condolence. By using words such as “good and faithful servant” and framing his post with religious overtones, some interpreted it as an endorsement of Charlie Kirk’s ideology rather than just sympathy for a tragic death. Given how polarising Kirk was, that alone was enough to set off criticism.

Super Junior's Choi Siwon's Instagram tribute for Charlie Kirk | Credit: Instagram|siwonchoi

In K-pop, idols are often expected to avoid taking sides on political or cultural issues because their fanbase is so global and diverse. Even something meant personally, like Siwon’s tribute, can quickly be seen as political, which makes it harder for fans to separate the person from the group.

The fact that Siwon deleted his posts soon after, combined with Leeteuk’s unfollow and the viral video of him seemingly keeping his distance, has only fuelled the idea that there’s tension within Super Junior itself. For some fans, this has become bigger than just one post — they see it as damaging to the group’s image, which is why calls for Si-won to step down or leave have been growing louder online.