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Super Junior

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Super Junior is a highly influential South Korean boy band.

Super Junior Cropped
Super Junior Cropped

They are frequently referred to by the media as the "King of Hallyu Wave." This title recognizes their massive role in spreading the Korean Wave, or Hallyu, across the globe. The group consists of ten active members: Leeteuk, Heechul, Yesung, Shindong, Sungmin, Eunhyuk, Siwon, Donghae, Ryeowook, and Kyuhyun. Former members included Han Geng, Kibum, and Kangin. Beyond singing, the members are known as all-rounded entertainers. They work as actors, hosts, presenters, and models.

The group's structure is unique because of its use of sub-units. A sub-unit is a smaller group made of specific members from the main band. This allows them to target different music industries and audiences at once. For example, Super Junior-K.R.Y. is a vocal-focused unit with Kyuhyun, Ryeowook, and Yesung. Super Junior-T is a sub-unit that performs trot, a traditional style of Korean music. There was also Super Junior-M, a Mandopop unit designed for Chinese-speaking markets.

Super Junior in BKK
Super Junior in BKK

This variety helps the band maintain a presence in many different cultural spaces.

The formation of the group began through a rigorous training process. In 2000, SM Entertainment held overseas auditions in Beijing, China. Han Geng was selected from three thousand applicants during this event. Other members like Leeteuk, Yesung, and Eunhyuk were recruited through annual auditions in Seoul. Some members, like Sungmin and Donghae, won contests to become trainees. Others were scouted or discovered in places like Los Angeles. This diverse recruitment created a group with many different backgrounds and talents.

When Lee Soo-man founded the group in 2005, he had a specific vision. He originally planned for a 12-piece group with a rotational system. This concept was inspired by the Japanese group Morning Musume. Under this plan, members would graduate and be replaced every year to keep the group fresh. This was a new concept for the K-pop market. However, the company abandoned the rotational idea in 2006 after adding Kyuhyun. The group then settled into the stable lineup that fans recognize today.

Super Junior achieved massive commercial success through their various releases. Their 2009 album, *Sorry, Sorry*, was a major turning point. The title track became an international hit and was the best-selling K-pop album in Taiwan, Thailand, China, and the Philippines. In South Korea, the album sold over 250,000 copies. The single "Sorry, Sorry" held the number-one spot for ten consecutive weeks in Korea. It also stayed at number one for a record-breaking 37 weeks on Taiwan's K-pop singles chart.

Super Junior at Kaohsiung Arena, Taiwan(2)
Super Junior at Kaohsiung Arena, Taiwan(2)

The group's impact is reflected in their many prestigious awards. They were the best-selling K-pop artist for four consecutive years. They have earned thirteen awards from the Mnet Asian Music Awards and nineteen from the Golden Disc Awards. In 2015, they won "International Artist" and "Best Fandom" at the Teen Choice Awards. They also set a massive record in Taiwan. Starting in 2017, their albums topped the KKBOX Korean Album Chart for 122 consecutive weeks. This streak included the albums *Play*, *Replay*, *Time_Slip*, and *Timeless*.

Super Junior's career has influenced how the entire entertainment industry operates. Because the members succeeded as all-rounded entertainers, other companies changed their training methods. Now, many K-pop groups are trained in acting and hosting alongside singing. The group's ability to balance large-scale performances with small sub-units remains a key part of their legacy.

Super Junior Idol vs Idol 01
Super Junior Idol vs Idol 01

They continue to be a major force in the global music landscape.

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🖼️ Images & Media (4)
File:Super Junior in BKK.jpg
Super Junior in BKK.jpg
File:Super Junior at Kaohsiung Arena, Taiwan(2).jpg
Super Junior at Kaohsiung Arena, Taiwan(2).jpg
File:Super Junior Cropped.jpg
Super Junior Cropped.jpg
File:Super Junior Idol vs Idol 01.png
Super Junior Idol vs Idol 01.png
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