Concert review: Super Junior keep things fresh with intriguing alternate realities (2024)

Concert review: Super Junior keep things fresh with intriguing alternate realities (1)

Concert review: Super Junior keep things fresh with intriguing alternate realities (2)

Benson Ang

Lifestyle Correspondent

2024 Super Junior Super Show Spin-off: Halftime In Singapore With Lotte Duty Free

Singapore Indoor Stadium
July 14

When a group have been around for 19 years and performed in Singapore so many times, how do they keep things fresh?

Second-generation K-pop boy band Super Junior pulled this off in their latest tour, deftly using a conceit from many a K-drama – alternate realities.

Eight out of the 10 members of the South Korean group were in town on July 14 as part oftheir Asia concert tour,which kicked off in Seoul in June and has stopped in Bangkok. After Singapore, it will travel to other cities such as Ho Chi Minh, Kuala Lumpur and Taipei.

They last performed here in 2022, also at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

This current tour is an extended chapter of Super Junior’s Super Show tours, which have been running since 2008. During this special project, members can showcase novel concepts and new sides of themselves. And that they did, grouping members and presenting songs in ways that surprised even their long-time fans.

Apart from familiar hits such as Sorry, Sorry (2009) and Devil (2015), here were three alternate realities presented during the 170-minute concert to a sold-out crowd of 7,000.

1. More new sub-groups?

Since their formation in 2005, Super Junior have spawned a number of sub-groups, such as Super Junior-K.R.Y., Super Junior-T and Super Junior-M. But audiences might not have expected the unlikely groupings which appeared on July 14.

For example, what if leader Leeteuk formed a sub-group with dancing machine Eunhyuk and the suave Donghae? You would get L.E.D., an acronym of their names. The trio performed the sartorial-themed number Suit Up (2024), appearing onstage like Ken dolls in toy boxes and jiving up a storm, all in the name of fashion.

And what if plus-sized Shindong teamed up with youngest member Kyuhyun and the sweet Yesung, who at times was teased by the other members? The result would be a sensitive threesome called S.K.Y., with enough heart to nail the tender ballad Let’s Not (2009) in their all-white outfits.

And in the event that the newly married Ryeowook and leading man Siwon agreed to collaborate, it would make for sizzling chemistry, as the two pulled off the electro house number Danger (2019). A fiery R&S duo? You can see it happening.

2. All K-pop groups are now called Super Junior?

Perhaps granting fans’ ultimate wish fulfilment, the show envisioned a parallel world where all idol groups are called Super Junior, thanks to a “gateway system” where new members continually enrol and graduate through the group.

What might these versions of Super Junior look like? Fans got a peek, thanks to the guys’ dance cover of fifth-generation boy band Riize’s Get A Guitar (2023).

Except it was not “Riize” but “Super Junior 23”, with Donghae, 37, Yesung, 39, and Leeteuk, 41, playing their younger K-pop counterparts, currently aged 20 to 23. Donning school blazers, ties and white sneakers, the three did not exactly give off Gen Z vibes, but proved they are young at heart.

There was also a dance cover of Hype Boy (2022), a big hit by the girl group NewJeans. In this alternate reality, the group was “Super Junior 22” – essentially Donghae in a cat-eared headband, Eunhyuk in a bunny-eared cap and Kyuhyun, Shindong and Ryeowook sashaying in their cutesy best. The three-minute farce – peppered with hip swings, shoulder shimmies and much arm waving – was comedy gold.

More On This Topic

Singapore’s K-pop boom: Shows listed on Ticketmaster grew by 250% from 2022 to 2024

Concert review: K-pop boy band NCT Dream play up their sexy and cute sides

3. All solo releases are now subsumed into the group?

In another reality, a “banning solo promotion agreement” was in effect, where all releases by soloists now became part of the group’s repertoire.

This allowed for solo works such as Yesung’s emotional ballad It Has To Be You (2010) to be performed by all eight members. Ditto for At Gwanghwamun (2014), one of Kyuhyun’s most popular tracks, which was soulfully crooned by the octet.

The collective rendition of Ryeowook’s The Little Prince (2016) was particularly effective. The love song’s original version was a solitary reflection about being apart from a loved one, but having everyone sing it together imbued it with a sense of community, allowing the pain to feel less acute.

These intriguing, imaginative scenarios brought both laughs and heart from a supergroup which celebrate their 20th anniversary in 2025. If you could suspend disbelief, traversing these refreshing permutations made for a super fun time.

More On This Topic

Concert review: Mandopop band Accusefive are a well-oiled hit machine

K-pop group Super Junior reunite at member Ryeowook’s wedding

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

  • Concert review
  • Reviews
  • K-pop
  • Music
Concert review: Super Junior keep things fresh with intriguing alternate realities (2024)

FAQs

Concert review: Super Junior keep things fresh with intriguing alternate realities? ›

These intriguing, imaginative scenarios brought both laughs and heart from a supergroup which celebrate their 20th anniversary in 2025. If you could suspend disbelief, traversing these refreshing permutations made for a super fun time.

How long is the Super Junior concert? ›

The three-hour show was also a touching one, as fans cheered on Eunhyuk at his first concert appearance following the sudden death of his father in August. Here are three highlights from the Super Junior World Tour Super Show 9: Road In Singapore.

How many members were there in Super Junior? ›

It consists of thirteen members, consisting of leader Leeteuk, Heechul, Hankyung, Yesung, Shindong, Sungmin, Eunhyuk, Donghae, Siwon, Ryeowook and Kibum. Kyuhyun joined the group in 2006. Han Geng and Kibum had left SM Entertainment and Super Junior in 2009 and 2015.

When did Super Junior members join SM? ›

The group was formed by the founder of SM Entertainment, Lee Soo-man in 2005 as a 12-piece group with rotational members but the concept was abandoned after addition of Kyuhyun in 2006. They are also dubbed by the media as the "King of Hallyu Wave" due to their contributions in Korean Wave. Super Junior-K.R.Y.

Why Super Junior almost disbanded? ›

In the snippet, Heechul Kim stated that he felt the risk of the group disbanding when the members gathered to decide on their contract renewal with SM Entertainment. He recalled that the atmosphere was quite tense so he tried to make a joke to lighten the mood.

Who in Super Junior is married in real life? ›

Ryeowook is the second member of Super Junior to get married, following Sungmin's wedding to musical actress Kim Sa-eun in 2014.

Why did Henry leave Super Junior? ›

Following the Korean members military service enlistment in 2015, the sub-unit promotions and activity were halted. In April 2018, Special member Henry left the sub-unit following his contract expiration with SM.

How long do concerts usually go? ›

How long is the average concert duration? The average concert duration typically ranges from 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on various factors like the genre, venue, and artist.

How long are concerts at Disney Hall? ›

Most concerts are 2-2 1/2 hours, which typically includes a 20-minute intermission.

How long do Junior H concerts last? ›

All prices are capped so you will always get a fair deal. How long are Junior H concerts? Junior H Concerts usually last for around 1 hour to 3 hours however this is dependent on the setlist (songs that are planned to be performed).

How long does Disney Junior live on tour last? ›

The show is 90 minutes long, including a 37 minute first act, followed by a 15 minute intermission, followed by a 37 minute second act.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Rueben Jacobs

Last Updated:

Views: 6449

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (57 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rueben Jacobs

Birthday: 1999-03-14

Address: 951 Caterina Walk, Schambergerside, CA 67667-0896

Phone: +6881806848632

Job: Internal Education Planner

Hobby: Candle making, Cabaret, Poi, Gambling, Rock climbing, Wood carving, Computer programming

Introduction: My name is Rueben Jacobs, I am a cooperative, beautiful, kind, comfortable, glamorous, open, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.