In a recent video posted on the YouTube channel ZIP DAESUNG, operated by BIGBANG’s Daesung, SM Entertainment idol Donghae revealed a stunning and previously untold story about his near-debut in the iconic K-pop group BIGBANG. The video, titled “My MP3 still plays Haru Haru and Sorry Sorry…”, features Donghae and Eunhyuk, who are active as the Super Junior subunit D&E, joining Daesung for a candid and lively conversation. During the video, Donghae opened up about his time at SM Entertainment and shared an intriguing revelation that left both fans and Eunhyuk surprised—he had once considered leaving SM to join YG Entertainment and almost became a member of BIGBANG.

The conversation started innocently enough, with Donghae and Eunhyuk reminiscing about their time as part of Super Junior, still proudly emphasizing their identity as members of the group. However, as the discussion progressed, it took an unexpected turn when the topic of practice rooms came up. Eunhyuk expressed the challenges they faced even after parting ways with SM Entertainment and forming their subunit, D&E. He confessed, “Even after leaving SM and forming a partnership, we are not allowed to use SM’s practice rooms for our unit rehearsals.” Donghae, with a wry smile, added, “Once we left the company, our fingerprints were deleted and the doors wouldn’t open.” The two idols shared their frustrations, but there was also humor in their voices as they reflected on how different their rehearsal environment was after leaving SM.

However, the real shock came when Donghae revealed an astonishing connection with BIGBANG’s two main members, G-Dragon and Taeyang. Donghae recalled meeting both G-Dragon and Taeyang for the first time as a child when he was invited by singer Se7en. He explained that this meeting, which took place during the 2002 World Cup, exposed him to the stark contrast between the two entertainment giants—SM Entertainment and YG Entertainment. While SM was known for its more reserved and traditional approach, YG’s atmosphere was high-energy and unconventional, which left a lasting impression on Donghae. As Donghae himself put it, he quickly realized that the culture at YG was vastly different, and that’s when the seeds of his desire to join the company were planted.

Donghae’s desire to transfer to YG Entertainment and join their upcoming project was something he had never shared with Eunhyuk before. In fact, Eunhyuk, who has been Donghae’s companion for over 20 years, was visibly shocked when Donghae mentioned his wish to join YG. During that time, Donghae was a trainee at SM and was preparing to debut in a new group. However, as he saw the possibility of his group disbanding, he felt that his future at SM was uncertain, and it was at this point that he seriously considered moving to YG. In fact, he even spoke to his manager about the possibility of transferring. What surprised him, and eventually Eunhyuk, was that the five-member group YG was planning to debut at the time was none other than BIGBANG.

Donghae’s story left everyone in the room stunned. He had never told anyone, not even Eunhyuk, about this moment in his life, and it was clear that his path could have taken a completely different direction. According to Donghae, he had almost joined the group that would later become one of the most influential K-pop groups in history, a group that had already begun to gain significant attention even before its official debut. At the time, BIGBANG was still a work in progress, and it was difficult for Donghae to see that the group he was considering joining would soon revolutionize the K-pop scene.

Donghae’s decision to stay with SM eventually paid off when he debuted as a member of Super Junior, but he had to wait for two more years before it happened. The reason for this delay was SM’s objections to his idea of leaving the company for YG, which led to Donghae remaining in limbo before he finally got the opportunity to join Super Junior. However, after the fact, Donghae discovered that the group YG was preparing at the time, which he had nearly joined, was none other than BIGBANG.

In the video, Daesung reacted to this revelation with a mix of relief and astonishment. He was clearly happy that things had turned out the way they did, as he explained, “If Donghae had joined, one of the existing BIGBANG members wouldn’t have debuted.” Daesung’s comment served as a reminder of just how pivotal every decision in an idol’s career can be. If Donghae had made a different choice, the entire trajectory of K-pop history could have been altered.

The video provided a rare glimpse into the personal history of one of K-pop’s most beloved idols, offering fans an intimate look at the crossroads that nearly led to a completely different career. Donghae’s candidness about his past and the potential he once saw in BIGBANG was both surprising and heartwarming. It’s a testament to the unpredictable nature of the entertainment industry and how every idol’s journey is filled with twists and turns that could change their lives forever.

For Donghae, the decision to stay with SM and join Super Junior was undoubtedly the right choice, as he went on to achieve incredible success. However, his connection to BIGBANG and the “what if” scenario adds an extra layer of intrigue to the story of his career. The video on ZIP DAESUNG, in which Donghae and Eunhyuk shared their experiences, gave fans a deeper understanding of the ever-evolving K-pop landscape and how idols’ paths can sometimes intersect in surprising ways. Ultimately, it’s a reminder of the unpredictable nature of life and the twists that can shape the careers of even the most famous idols in the world.