But it wasn't until the 1990s did everything take a twist. Large entertainment labels like SM Entertainment, JYP Entertainment and YG Entertainment had been started up to produce a trend of idols. That was when Kpop began reaching new heights and by the 2000s, had began spreading, starting from Asia and creeping its way around the world.
In 2005, SM Entertainment debuted a 12 member boy band, under the name of 'Super Junior 05.' They gained attention for being the largest band in the world, and performed an exquisite choreography for their song, Twins (Knock Out). They were also the first rookie group to have over 1000 fans at their debut stage. Super Junior had been breaking records from the start.
But, these 12 members were meant to be a project group that would split up in 3 months. Some members would graduate, while others left to tackle the tough life in the entertainment industry. But in 2006, SM announced that instead, they would be adding a 13th member to the group and no further changes would be made, thus, the group went on with the name 'Super Junior.'
With the 13th member added, the group then went on to release their single 'U'. This song proved to be a phenomenal in South Korea and the group instantly won their first award. In that same year, they also managed to scoop up the 'Best Newcomer Award'at the 21st Annual Golden Disk Awards (2006). This marked the start of a rising Hallyu Star. Super Junior also started up their radio show 'Super Junior Kiss The Radio' in that year, with members Eunhyuk and Leeteuk as DJs. That radio show is still running today.
In late 2006, members Kyuhyun, Leeteuk, Eunhyuk and Shindong were caught in a tragic car accident on the way back after hosting their radio show. Kyuhyun and Leeteuk came out with the most injuries. Kyuhyun had broken ribs that pierced into his lungs, while Leeteuk suffered from glass shreds in his body. This accident caused a set back in the release of Super Junior's 2nd Album, Don't Don.
In 2008, Super Junior M, a subgroup with the aim to capture the Chinese market was formed with member Hangeng, Donghae, Siwon, Kyuhyun, Ryeowook, and new members Zhou Mi and Henry. They proved to be Super Junior's most succesful sub-unit and are still going strong.
2008 also marked the year for Super Junior's first ever Asia tour called, Super Show.
Super Junior released their 3rd studio album, Sorry Sorry, 2009. Their title song proved to be their breakthrough. The album sold over 29,000 copies on the release date, making it the first ever album to reach the top of the Hanteo charts on the first day. After only a month after release, the album had already become South Korea's Best Selling Album of 2009. The album also hit first place in Taiwan, China, Thailand and the Philippines.
The album collected 10 first place awards for 10 consecutive weeks in South Korea and stayed as number one for a record breaking 37 weeks on the Taiwan's Kpop singles chart. The album won many awards, including 'Golden Disk Award' at the 24th Golden Disk Awards. That's the highest graded award!
After the success of Sorry Sorry, the group then began their second Asia tour: Super Show 2.
But despite their success and the start of their Asia tour, the group was thrown into a mixture of turmoil. Despite being shown on promotional videos and advertisements, Kibum never participated much in the tour and resulted in taking a temporary leave from the group to pursue and acting career. Kangin was later caught for drunk driving. Hangeng also filled a lawsuit against SM, saying that his contract was harsh and against his rights. He then took his leave from the company and released his first solo album 'Geng Xin' in July, 2010 which proved to be successful.
With only 10 active members, Super Junior went on to release their 4th studio album, Bonamana. The album didn't do very well with the critics, but still managed to sell over 300,000 copies in Korea and stayed at the top of the Taiwan Kpop Singles Chart for 61 weeks. They then set out on Super Show 3, the third Asia tour and even released a 3D movie for the concert. The movie placed 6th on box office charts and soon became the top selling movie in Korea. The group also released Japanese Single, Bonamana, that remained at the top of the Orican charts.
In 2011, Super Junior made a comeback with the album 'Mr Simple' in August. The album topped the Gaon charts, selling 287, 427 copies. The album remained at first place for 4 weeks and by October, had already sold 441,000 copies. In September 2011, Heechul left temporarily for military service.
This album received yet another Disk Daesang at the 26th Golden Disk Awards, making it a total of two times that the group had achieved that award. For the same album, came many other awards. In fact, too many to type. Let's just say, Mr Simple is a very popular song.
The band also kicked off their first world tour in 2011. They held the concert successfully in 10 cities worldwide. Combined with the previous three tours, Super Junior had hit a total of 900,000 audience members by the end of Super Show 4.
2012 marked the debut of Sexy, Free and Single, Super Junior's 6th studio album. This marked the return of Kangin, who left to do military services in 2010. The album ranked 3rd on the World Billboard Charts and managed to rank high on iTunes in several countries. The album topped the Gaon charts, selling 335,744 copies. It stayed on first placed for three weeks! In two months time, Sexy Free and Single had sold 459,182 copies. The album also whipped up a Disk Daesang from the 27th Golden Disk Awards, making it the third award of the sort for the group.
Super Show 5 kicked off on March 23rd 2013 in Seoul and have officially began their world tour.
We wish the group all the best with their world tour! Hope that every ELF out there will be able to see them in person!
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| WE ARE SUPER JUNIOR! |
