“It’s been 14 years. The childish young idols have become the big senior in the Kpop scene. The same girls who have listened to Super Junior and have always cheered for Super Junior became college students, someone’s lady, and a child’s mother. The time passing by may be sad, but natural. We were happy to share these precious memories with you all, and spend the same time under the same sky. As we have more days to be together… than the time we spent together. We hope to make long lasting beautiful and joyful memories together.”
– Leeteuk, SUPER SHOW 7
Manila – Super Show 7 was a night of reminiscing, promises fulfilled, and a future to look forward together. It was a movie date between the idols and the fans, and the best thing was everyone took role on it: Super Junior members were the lead men while ELFs were their leading ladies. The true sense of ‘OPPA’ was shown by Leeteuk, Heechul, Yesung, Shindong, Siwon, Eunhyuk, and Donghae – cherishing those who have supported them for more than a decade through their music and performances.
#GRABE-GRABE [#SuperSuper]
Concert Highlights
The boys prepared their Tagalog phrases and even though they had cheat sheets, Super Junior members made sure to express their lines clearly. Aside from the usual ‘Mabuhay’ and ‘Mahal Ko Kayo’, they also greeted their Filipino fans with ‘Namiss n’yo ba ako?’ (Donghae); and ‘Masaya akong makita kayo Filipino prinsesa!’ (Leeteuk). Local expressions like ‘Kabog!’ (Shindong) and ‘Grabe Grabe!’ (Eunhyuk) also excited the crowd.
Siwon also acknowledged the presence of some Filipino personalities like Sen. Manny Pacquiao’s family and the pride of the Philippines, Ms. Pia Wurtzbach from the audiences.
ELFs fan-chanting to Super Junior’s old and new songs. The group started with their song ‘Black Suit’ and performed their hits like ‘Scene Stealer’, ‘Lo Siento’, and ‘This is Love’. Of course, emotions burst when the boys performed old hits like ‘It’s You’ and ‘Sorry, Sorry’ – bringing nostalgia to the fans.
Another awe-ing moment was the light stick colour synchronization during their song performance of ‘Too Many Beautiful Girls’ where Super Junior called out different colours that lit up the arena. Red, Green, Pink, Yellow – ELFs were able to experience different SM Artists light stick colour but still, the best one for the night was to be part of the Sapphire Blue Ocean.
No dead air during the concert as the dancers took over the stage and performed ‘U’, ‘Oppa Oppa’, and ‘Can You Feel It’ hyping the crowd just like their idols. They’ve done it well – and maybe they would like a change of career?
#LODI [#Idol]
Individual Members
Everybody knows how crazy Heechul can be and he didn’t disappoint with his high energy and non-stop declaration of love as a Pacquiao fan throughout the show! And this was the second time Manila witnessed him playing the drums – first was back in Super Show 3 for ‘Don’t Don’ and now, Super Show 7 during ‘Sorry Sorry’. He may not be dancing in most SJ songs but he has other ways to show his stamina.
Shindong’s interactions and tagalong lines definitely were plus points for the ELFs. His efforts to memorize it by heart and pronounce it almost like a local was a warm gesture for the Filipino ELFs – ofcourse, he made sure to drop funny lines and it was Kabog!
Who had a momentary confusion or a total change of heart because of Yesung? The 1/3 of K.R.Y. was definitely a bias-wrecker for many and that wasn’t a bad thing! Who here agrees that he looked like a living doll that you just want to pocket and take home? As for Siwon, he was such a tease, showing enough of his hard worked defined muscles. He, speaking in English was also appreciated by the Filipino ELFs and his charm as an actor radiated through the show.
The dance machines Donghae and Eunhyuk were turning up the stage! Their on-point dance moves and boyish antics were what ELFs missed the most and they just gave that that night. Donghae had the stage as his catwalk ramp and always looking fresh while Eunhyuk gave his all in gracing the stage with his sleek moves. The latter also enjoyed saying ‘Grabe Grabe’ which the audience reciprocated enthusiastically. Too bad, they didn’t have a separate performance as a duo but no complaints, the dancers did great on their segment!
Leeteuk’s love letter for his Filipino ELF princesses didn’t just give goose bumps but made the girls (and boys) bawl their eyes out. Also, the birthday boy shared his experience when he visited a golf course and had a massage where he asked those people who recognized them if they were coming to the show. They said ‘no’ for the tickets were expensive and that made Leeteuk promise to himself that he will give his best for those who attended the concert.
#MAYFOREVER [#There’sForever]
Promises and The Future
Fourteen years. It may not yet be a milestone for some but it’s an achievement for a Kpop group in the Korean entertainment business. With the tough competition, Super Junior just proved they are here to stay especially now that they are seniors in the Kpop industry who will look after their juniors.
And as the concert story comes to an end, Super Junior showed how they have been looking out for their fans and it’s true that their music was, and still is, what guided and inspired ELFs through life hardships and celebrations. They also acknowledged that their fans have also grown older – as per Leeteuk words: “…became college students, someone’s lady, and a child’s mother… We hope to make long lasting beautiful and joyful memories together.”
Super Junior promised that they will come back to the Philippines – a promise that their Filipino princesses will hold.
For the fans, then and now, it’s another special night to remember for a long time – a reunion with their seven boys and their Ever Lasting Friends in the fandom, the relationships which are strengthened by the years, music, and passion. The concert ended and the time starts counting until Super Junior and ELF meet again.