Going Out
Posted on 06:54 PM, October 31, 2013
By Cecille Santillan-Visto, Contributor
Super Show 5: Super JuniorWorld Tour in Manila
Oct. 24, 7 p.m.
SM Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City
IT WAS three-and-a-half hours of pure, unadulterated, and spectacular entertainment and Super Show 5 may well be the best K-pop concert held in Manila in recent years.
It had all the ingredients of an A1 concert — engaging artists, an equally involved audience, and an extravagant production — making the whole experience out-of-this-world. It is really no wonder that Pinoy fans keep looking forward to the 11-member boy band’s return to the Philippines.
Whereas some K-pop shows have left spectators shortchanged, the super band comprised of Cho Kyuhyun, Choi Siwon, Kim Heechul, Kim Ryeowook, Lee Sungmin, Lee Donghae, Eunhyuk, Kangin, Shindong, and Henry and Zhoumi, members of the sub-unit, Super Junior-M, made sure that the every fan went home happy and satisfied.
Super Show 5 was the third concert Super Junior (SuJu) has had in Manila. They were here for the first time in April 2010 for Super Show 2 and were back in February 2011 for Super Show 3. Manila missed the Super Show 4 boat due to schedule issues, but they returned last Thursday with a bang. The group sang 30 songs and showed nine short films, on top of which, they chatted with their ELFs (or Everlasting Friends, what they call their fans) at least four times during the entire show. It was definitely a full-course concert.
HE’S BACK
But the best part of the Manila leg of Super Show 5 was the return of Heechul, who finished his two-year military service in August. It was his first chance to rejoin the group in a major concert after his mandatory hiatus. Heechul, 30, was teary-eyed when he introduced himself to the thousands at the SM Arena but the fans warmly welcomed him with their ear-piercing shrieks. His dongsaengs (younger brothers) were obviously ecstatic over his return and he was just as elated over his stage comeback. Two other members, leader Leeteuk and Yesung, are still serving their stints with the military.
Heechul took part in most of the numbers but was understandably absent in some, including “Super Girl,” “Boom, Boom,” and “Club No. 1.” In “It’s You,” he briefly sang but did not dance. He, however, had the stage all to himself with “Close Ur Mouth,” which he originally sang with Jungmo of Trax. Heechul also directed the music video, which was played as he performed. His solo started a bit awkwardly with his back to the audience while the song played for a good 45 seconds. But when he faced the crowd, flirted with some gyrating girls at the sofa at the center stage, the “King of the Universe” (one of his many self-bestowed titles) was all attitude.
Super Show 5 kicked off with three of SuJu’s biggest hits — “Mr. Simple,” “Bonamana,” and “Super Girl.” The three-song opening salvo had the crowd going wild and to say that the energy was electrifying is an understatement. The boys performed their first song at the extended stage, clearly showing that they wanted to be close to the audience for most of the performance. That was precisely the purpose of the huge hydraulically moving extended stage and the premium ticketholders were close enough to have personal encounters with the boys — be it having their photos taken with them, handing them gifts and shaking their hands and at one point. Donghae even “stole” the mobile phone of a fan and called her mother!
The main stage and the separate elevated platform were equally large and they were made all the more amazing by the lights, three LED screens at the background, and eight square LEDs at the front, which also flipped and doubled as entry doors.
SUBGROUPS
Eye candy all, it was difficult to focus on any one member but, thankfully, they were divided into subgroups for some numbers.
Henry, Eunhyuk, Donghae and Siwon joined forces for “Cold” while Shindong, Eunhyuk and Donghae did the “Harlem Shake.” The “Trap” duet of Henry (who stood out playing the baby grand piano) and Kyuhyun was so well received in the Bangkok show that it was included again in the Manila set list. Kyuhyun and Ryeowook, Suju’s best singing arsenal, sang “Gray Paper” with absent Yesung, whose video was projected on the wall.
The cross-dressing stunt of Siwon, Ryeowook, Kangin, and Sumin — where they danced to excerpts of Son DamBi’s “Saturday Night,” SES’ “Loving You,” GaIn’s “Bloom,” and Hyuna’s “Ice Cream,” respectively — was hilarious. They also brought down the house with their rendition of Sistar’s “Alone.”
The runaway winner among the small group performances was the rendition by Sungmin, Zhoumi, Kyuhyun, and Ryeowook of the Laura Branigan classic, “How Am I Supposed To Live Without You.” It proved that Super Junior is not just a group with all the cool moves, but that they are a legitimate super singing band that would give their Western counterparts a run for their money. For guys who hardly speak English, they get two thumbs-up for their version of the Michael Bolton remake.
Super Junior was best when playing its smash hits like “Sorry, Sorry,” “Sexy, Free and Single” (complete with the laser light demo) and “Shake It Up.” Then there was the extended, seven-minute version of “Rockstar” which saw Eunhyuk removing his shirt. Eunhyuk, who stands as the group’s temporary leader while Leeteuk is still in the army, was arguably the best dancer. Heechul also danced like there was no tomorrow, making “Rockstar” among the most applauded numbers. In other Super Show legs, more members doffed their shirts and danced ala-Chippendales.
During their ballads like “Daydream,” the medley of “Bittersweet,” “Someday,” and “Memories,” and “Marry You,” the girls in the audience literally swooned. What’s great about Super Junior is that even with thousands of ladies in the arena, they somehow made each and every one feel special. That’s Super Junior uniquely weaving their magic.
In “A Dreaming Hero,” the boys cosplayed as their favorite characters.
Shindong emerged as The Incredible Hulk; Eunhyuk, Wolverine; Donghae, Iron Man; Henry, Goku; Siwon, Captain America; Sungmin, Huang Fei Hung; Kangin, Thor; Ryeowook, Spiderman; Zhoumi, Woody; and Kyuhyun, Loki. Heechul, coming in midway into the tour, may not have time to choose his own superhero — had the unenviable task of donning a dog costume, complete with a headdress.
SHORT FILMS AND SPIELS
There were at least nine short films shown, which served as brief breathers and kept the audience occupied during set transitions and 12 costume changes. The two- to three-minute clips had different themes and story lines, although there was no dialogue. Some were action-packed, others romantic, but the clip that elicited the most reactions had the members killing each other with finger guns.
The dance tutorial for “Sunny” was likewise cute.
SuJu is known for its impeccable fan service. Siwon, for instance, had all the ladies melt when he said “I want to make a baby with you.” If those words could miraculously impregnate, there would be a population explosion nine months hence. Kyuhyun, the maknae (youngest) and host of the hit variety show, Mamma Mia, was obviously a sweet talker except that language got in the way of full-blown interaction.
Since there were 11 members in the concert, it was easy for them to spend a couple of seconds with the fans while the rest carried on with the singing and dancing. Sungmin, for instance, even received and read fan notes from the sidelines. At one point, he picked up and scrutinized a coin thrown on stage. Kangin took hankies, wiped his sweat, and threw them back. Donghae took videos while performing onstage and these will likely find their way to his hugely popular Instagram account.
Of course the kilig factor would not have been complete without the tried and tested and oft-repeated “Mahal Kita.” But when Eunhyuk carried the Philippine flag and the boys later told the fans that they are still the loudest of their fans worldwide — after reciprocating their shrieks by shouting back without their microphones — the Pinoy ELFs could not help but feel the love.
But the show was not without flaws. There were times when their dancing was not in sync. Some songs were also not wholly sung live.
Be that as it may, from start to finish, the super boy band took the audience on a wild ride and the spectators were so enthralled that they appeared to be in a trance throughout the show. Super Junior’s effect is awesome.
There are some K-pop groups one could easily get tired of hearing. A Super Junior performance is always fresh, fun and fantastic. The audience was as much part of the concert as the boys themselves. They sang with Super Junior (in Korean, at that). They are truly fans, not just onlookers. And of those who went to the concert unconvinced that Super Junior is one of Korea’s greatest gifts to entertainment, by the time the show was over, many were converted.
Hail to the “Kings of the Hallyu Wave” and be back for Super Show 6.
Posted on 06:54 PM, October 31, 2013
By Cecille Santillan-Visto, Contributor
Super Show 5: Super JuniorWorld Tour in Manila
Oct. 24, 7 p.m.
SM Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City
IT WAS three-and-a-half hours of pure, unadulterated, and spectacular entertainment and Super Show 5 may well be the best K-pop concert held in Manila in recent years.
It had all the ingredients of an A1 concert — engaging artists, an equally involved audience, and an extravagant production — making the whole experience out-of-this-world. It is really no wonder that Pinoy fans keep looking forward to the 11-member boy band’s return to the Philippines.
Whereas some K-pop shows have left spectators shortchanged, the super band comprised of Cho Kyuhyun, Choi Siwon, Kim Heechul, Kim Ryeowook, Lee Sungmin, Lee Donghae, Eunhyuk, Kangin, Shindong, and Henry and Zhoumi, members of the sub-unit, Super Junior-M, made sure that the every fan went home happy and satisfied.
Super Show 5 was the third concert Super Junior (SuJu) has had in Manila. They were here for the first time in April 2010 for Super Show 2 and were back in February 2011 for Super Show 3. Manila missed the Super Show 4 boat due to schedule issues, but they returned last Thursday with a bang. The group sang 30 songs and showed nine short films, on top of which, they chatted with their ELFs (or Everlasting Friends, what they call their fans) at least four times during the entire show. It was definitely a full-course concert.
HE’S BACK
But the best part of the Manila leg of Super Show 5 was the return of Heechul, who finished his two-year military service in August. It was his first chance to rejoin the group in a major concert after his mandatory hiatus. Heechul, 30, was teary-eyed when he introduced himself to the thousands at the SM Arena but the fans warmly welcomed him with their ear-piercing shrieks. His dongsaengs (younger brothers) were obviously ecstatic over his return and he was just as elated over his stage comeback. Two other members, leader Leeteuk and Yesung, are still serving their stints with the military.
Heechul took part in most of the numbers but was understandably absent in some, including “Super Girl,” “Boom, Boom,” and “Club No. 1.” In “It’s You,” he briefly sang but did not dance. He, however, had the stage all to himself with “Close Ur Mouth,” which he originally sang with Jungmo of Trax. Heechul also directed the music video, which was played as he performed. His solo started a bit awkwardly with his back to the audience while the song played for a good 45 seconds. But when he faced the crowd, flirted with some gyrating girls at the sofa at the center stage, the “King of the Universe” (one of his many self-bestowed titles) was all attitude.
Super Show 5 kicked off with three of SuJu’s biggest hits — “Mr. Simple,” “Bonamana,” and “Super Girl.” The three-song opening salvo had the crowd going wild and to say that the energy was electrifying is an understatement. The boys performed their first song at the extended stage, clearly showing that they wanted to be close to the audience for most of the performance. That was precisely the purpose of the huge hydraulically moving extended stage and the premium ticketholders were close enough to have personal encounters with the boys — be it having their photos taken with them, handing them gifts and shaking their hands and at one point. Donghae even “stole” the mobile phone of a fan and called her mother!
The main stage and the separate elevated platform were equally large and they were made all the more amazing by the lights, three LED screens at the background, and eight square LEDs at the front, which also flipped and doubled as entry doors.
SUBGROUPS
Eye candy all, it was difficult to focus on any one member but, thankfully, they were divided into subgroups for some numbers.
Henry, Eunhyuk, Donghae and Siwon joined forces for “Cold” while Shindong, Eunhyuk and Donghae did the “Harlem Shake.” The “Trap” duet of Henry (who stood out playing the baby grand piano) and Kyuhyun was so well received in the Bangkok show that it was included again in the Manila set list. Kyuhyun and Ryeowook, Suju’s best singing arsenal, sang “Gray Paper” with absent Yesung, whose video was projected on the wall.
The cross-dressing stunt of Siwon, Ryeowook, Kangin, and Sumin — where they danced to excerpts of Son DamBi’s “Saturday Night,” SES’ “Loving You,” GaIn’s “Bloom,” and Hyuna’s “Ice Cream,” respectively — was hilarious. They also brought down the house with their rendition of Sistar’s “Alone.”
The runaway winner among the small group performances was the rendition by Sungmin, Zhoumi, Kyuhyun, and Ryeowook of the Laura Branigan classic, “How Am I Supposed To Live Without You.” It proved that Super Junior is not just a group with all the cool moves, but that they are a legitimate super singing band that would give their Western counterparts a run for their money. For guys who hardly speak English, they get two thumbs-up for their version of the Michael Bolton remake.
Super Junior was best when playing its smash hits like “Sorry, Sorry,” “Sexy, Free and Single” (complete with the laser light demo) and “Shake It Up.” Then there was the extended, seven-minute version of “Rockstar” which saw Eunhyuk removing his shirt. Eunhyuk, who stands as the group’s temporary leader while Leeteuk is still in the army, was arguably the best dancer. Heechul also danced like there was no tomorrow, making “Rockstar” among the most applauded numbers. In other Super Show legs, more members doffed their shirts and danced ala-Chippendales.
During their ballads like “Daydream,” the medley of “Bittersweet,” “Someday,” and “Memories,” and “Marry You,” the girls in the audience literally swooned. What’s great about Super Junior is that even with thousands of ladies in the arena, they somehow made each and every one feel special. That’s Super Junior uniquely weaving their magic.
In “A Dreaming Hero,” the boys cosplayed as their favorite characters.
Shindong emerged as The Incredible Hulk; Eunhyuk, Wolverine; Donghae, Iron Man; Henry, Goku; Siwon, Captain America; Sungmin, Huang Fei Hung; Kangin, Thor; Ryeowook, Spiderman; Zhoumi, Woody; and Kyuhyun, Loki. Heechul, coming in midway into the tour, may not have time to choose his own superhero — had the unenviable task of donning a dog costume, complete with a headdress.
SHORT FILMS AND SPIELS
There were at least nine short films shown, which served as brief breathers and kept the audience occupied during set transitions and 12 costume changes. The two- to three-minute clips had different themes and story lines, although there was no dialogue. Some were action-packed, others romantic, but the clip that elicited the most reactions had the members killing each other with finger guns.
The dance tutorial for “Sunny” was likewise cute.
SuJu is known for its impeccable fan service. Siwon, for instance, had all the ladies melt when he said “I want to make a baby with you.” If those words could miraculously impregnate, there would be a population explosion nine months hence. Kyuhyun, the maknae (youngest) and host of the hit variety show, Mamma Mia, was obviously a sweet talker except that language got in the way of full-blown interaction.
Since there were 11 members in the concert, it was easy for them to spend a couple of seconds with the fans while the rest carried on with the singing and dancing. Sungmin, for instance, even received and read fan notes from the sidelines. At one point, he picked up and scrutinized a coin thrown on stage. Kangin took hankies, wiped his sweat, and threw them back. Donghae took videos while performing onstage and these will likely find their way to his hugely popular Instagram account.
Of course the kilig factor would not have been complete without the tried and tested and oft-repeated “Mahal Kita.” But when Eunhyuk carried the Philippine flag and the boys later told the fans that they are still the loudest of their fans worldwide — after reciprocating their shrieks by shouting back without their microphones — the Pinoy ELFs could not help but feel the love.
But the show was not without flaws. There were times when their dancing was not in sync. Some songs were also not wholly sung live.
Be that as it may, from start to finish, the super boy band took the audience on a wild ride and the spectators were so enthralled that they appeared to be in a trance throughout the show. Super Junior’s effect is awesome.
There are some K-pop groups one could easily get tired of hearing. A Super Junior performance is always fresh, fun and fantastic. The audience was as much part of the concert as the boys themselves. They sang with Super Junior (in Korean, at that). They are truly fans, not just onlookers. And of those who went to the concert unconvinced that Super Junior is one of Korea’s greatest gifts to entertainment, by the time the show was over, many were converted.
Hail to the “Kings of the Hallyu Wave” and be back for Super Show 6.
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