K-Pop superband Super Junior’s single ‘U’ was downloaded 1.7 million times in the first five hours of its digital release. Pinoy fans reveal how much they love the band

SUPER Junior, or simply SuJu, is no junior performer in the music scene. This superstar Korean boy band is considered one of the hottest in the world. They are not only famous in Korea, but in China, Taiwan, Japan, Thailand and the Philippines, too.
SuJu’s single “U” was downloaded 1.7 million times in the first five hours of its digital release, making its server crash! Their music is consistently at the top of music charts.
Its members include LeeTeuk, HeeChul, YeSung, KangIn, ShinDong, SungMin, EunHyuk, DongHae, SiWon, RyeoWook, KiBum, HanKyung, and Kyuhyun. Three members, namely KiBum, HanKyung, and KangIn, are inactive for various reasons.

Let’s see what their young fans have to say about this great group.
Unique genre
“I like their music because of the variety of genres they cover,” says Nina Francisco, an AB Communications senior from Ateneo de Manila University.
Super Junior’s ability to perform a wide spectrum of genres enables them to cater to a wide audience. An article about them said that they blend rock, rap, and R&B. They also use a bit of classical music.
Chichi Laconico, a freelance writer, says that SuJu’s music is very layered and rich.
Other artists cannot pull off such a difficult task, but Chichi says SuJu’s music is “quality music.”
A band with four members playing is doable; six members is a feat. Having 13 members must be a disaster! But Super Junior is able to pull it off.
“It’s amazing how 13 people can participate in a three-to-four-minute song and still show unity throughout the song,” says Danica Ballais, an AB Communications freshman from Ateneo.
“Every member has a special voice that makes the music good. Thirteen talented singers combined as one—oooh, it’s like heaven,” says Donna Myr Arceo, 19, a BS Tourism junior at Centro Escolar University (CEU).
When I read the history of SuJu, I discovered why they are so great. Several of their members had to win in auditions over large numbers of aspirants. One of them had to beat 3,000 other applicants!
Many of the group’s members were also great performers before the group was formed, as dancers, singers, and even actors, while other members had radio shows, TV shows, and other programs.
“They are more than just singers. They are all-around performers, whose appeal cuts across classes, which explains their popularity around the world,” notes Danica.
Elaine Paola Silan, 19, and a senior BS Communications Technology Management major from Ateneo, says, “Why would you ask a Super Junior fan if they are good? Of course they are good! Where else could you find 13 multi-talented and good-looking boys in one group, whose passion burns for what they do?”
‘Kilig’ factor
There’s also a kilig factor in the songs of SuJu, making them really appealing to young girls.
Catherine Almendares, 16, a junior high schooler at the Bulacan Ecumenical School, says, “It gives me different feelings, warm feelings. It’s like they are performing for you and you can see they put their hearts into it.”
“I like their music because I can feel the emotions, the soul, and the message that they want to get across through their charismatic voices and attitudes,” says Keyl Espina, 18, a BS Nursing senior at Manila Doctors College.
The strong charisma of the members really makes the fans love their music. Maria Rona L. Fajardo, 16, a BS Accountancy freshman at the Guagua National College, says, “They always make me smile whenever I’m in bad mood. I just watch some of their videos, and it drives the bad mood away.”
“You can feel the sincerity in their songs, you can feel the love, and for me, that’s what makes them unique and special,” says Beatriz Almendares, 19, a BS Tourism junior from CEU Malolos.
“Super Junior is one group that has been through a lot of hardships,” says Elaine. “Who they are now is a result of their endless passion and effort to achieve their dreams. We Ever Lasting Friends or ELFs (SuJu fans) don’t attend a Super Junior concert just to see them. We attend because we want to show the boys their hard work paid off, by making them feel and experience how much they are loved.”
The Super Junior “Super Show 3” Manila—the 3rd Asia Tour of Super Junior happens at the Araneta Coliseum at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011. The show is produced by PULP Live Productions, presented by SMART and brought to you by BPI, Hyundai, Sanuk and Samsung. Universal Records is the Philippine home of SuJu, while MYX is the official music channel.
Call Ticketnet at tel. no. 911-5555 for ticket inquiries. For International ELFs, check out www.hkticketing.com.