Super Junior is set to release its 20th anniversary commemorative album, the 12th regular album 'Super Junior 25', a day before its comeback. Before the comeback, let's revisit the legendary achievements that Super Junior has accumulated through its activities.
■ Hit song treasures: This is what the K-pop syndrome looks like with 'Sorry Sorry', loved across Asia at the time
Super Junior made its debut in November 2005 with the song 'Twins'. Embracing the novelty of being a multi-member group, they provided an impressive freshness with their unique 'sharp choreography'. The songs that followed, such as 'Miracle', 'Show Me Your Love'—sung in collaboration with Dongbang—and 'U' garnered much love, achieving a grand slam of 'Rookie Awards' at year-end music award ceremonies.
In particular, Super Junior opened the full-blown 'K-pop syndrome' with the title song 'Sorry Sorry' from its third regular album in 2009. 'Sorry Sorry' achieved 10 music show wins domestically, topped charts for albums, digital downloads, and broadcast appearances, and set records for annual album sales. The choreography involving clapping hands not only created a dance cover craze worldwide, but also led to the record of being the first Korean artist to earn a gold record for sales in the Philippines, as well as consecutive number one spots on local music charts in Thailand and Taiwan.
Since then, Super Junior has been recognized as a 'representative K-pop idol' with a robust fandom and solid popularity, producing numerous hit songs such as 'You', 'Beauty', 'Mr. Simple', 'Sexy, Free & Single', 'Devil', and 'Black Suit'. As a result, they have recorded remarkable achievements, including being the first non-Chinese singer to win the 'Artist of the Year' at the KKBOX Music Awards in Taiwan in 2019, and achieving a record of 200 consecutive weeks at number one on the KKBOX Korean album chart in 2021.
Super Junior, which has continuously sought new challenges with each activity, conducted its first collaboration with overseas artists in 2018. Featuring U.S. singer Leslie Grace and produced by DJ duo Play N Skillz, the Latin pop song 'Lo Siento' made them the first Korean artists to enter the Billboard Latin chart.
Through performances, dance covers, and collaborations, Super Junior has provided unique experiences based on music, widely promoting the diverse charms of K-pop. With ongoing popularity and strong teamwork, they have established themselves as a legendary team writing K-pop history as they celebrate their 20th anniversary. This year, particularly special for their 20th anniversary, Super Junior is preparing a new song 'Express Mode', signaling another hit track on the horizon, which is generating tremendous anticipation.
■ Legendary performance king: World tour concert brand 'Super Show'... Continuing fame this year
Super Junior has another point of pride. There's a saying that while there are people who have never seen them, there are none who have seen them only once, referring to the beloved 'SUPER SHOW'. Since 2008, Super Junior has completed a total of nine tours under the world tour concert brand 'SUPER SHOW'. They have maintained their reputation as a well-made concert brand featuring outstanding vocals, intense performances, spectacular production, and Super Junior's unique witty repertoire.
Over the years, Super Junior has performed 194 shows in more than 30 regions worldwide, including Asia, Europe, and South America (including the 2024 special performance 'SUPER SHOW SPIN-OFF'), promoting high-quality performance culture and acting as a catalyst for spreading K-pop. They have also set various records, including being the first Korean group to hold a solo concert in France, the largest-scale South American tour for a Korean artist, and the first solo concert in Saudi Arabia for an Asian artist, earning the title of 'performance king'.
This year, they are kicking off a new tour, 'SUPER SHOW 10', in celebration of their 20th anniversary, starting with performances in Seoul at the Olympic Park KSPO DOME from August 22-24. They will also be visiting 16 regions worldwide including Hong Kong, Jakarta, Manila, Mexico City, Monterrey, Lima, Santiago, Taipei, Bangkok, Nagoya, Singapore, Macau, Kuala Lumpur, and Kaohsiung, all the way through March 2026, drawing significant interest.
■ All-time multipliers: Beyond music to acting, variety, MCing, DJing, directing... Super Junior's transformation continues
Super Junior is renowned as a 'multiplayer group' with members who all possess versatile charms. Early in their debut, members showcased unit performances based on their specialties in music programs, which led to the creation of several official units with various combinations. This was the introduction of the 'unit' concept, where some members of the group engage in activities separately.
They have shown unique combinations such as the unit 'Super Junior-K.R.Y.', which includes the main vocal line known as Yesung, Ryeowook, and Kyuhyun; the 'Super Junior-D&E' unit consisting of friends Donghae and Eunhyuk; and 'Super Junior-L.S.S.', formed by Leeteuk, Shindong, and Siwon, showcasing a different side compared to group activities and expanding the successful model of K-pop.
Moreover, the members, who are earnest about music, actively participate in songwriting and composing in their spare time, expressing their individuality while also proving their exceptional musical capabilities. In addition, they are making strides in various fields, including variety shows, films, dramas, musicals, MCing, DJing, video and concert direction, establishing their own territories. As the 'all-time multiplayer group' showcasing varied talents, expectations are high for the synergy that Super Junior will continue to deliver.
[Photo] SM Entertainment
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