Super Junior: K-pop goes the world

MANILA, Philippines - To be an ELF or an Ever Lasting Friend (what Super Junior call their fans) or even a K-pop fan might seem strange for some people because of the language barrier. In a country that doesn’t speak Korean fluently, people are amazed at Super Junior’s large fan base that consists of mostly girls as young as eight up to an astounding age 82.

Super Junior will be coming to the Philippines to perform at the Araneta Coliseum on Feb. 26 as part of their Asian Tour.

Super Junior is a popular Korean boy band consisting of 12 members — the biggest K-pop group in Korea and all over the world. They debuted in 2005 with the single Twins (Knock Out) and their popularity spread across Asia.

They have held concerts in Thailand and Japan and they’ll be coming here for the second time.

Super Junior is worth the money, effort and time that fans pour in to every Super Show. They are willing to line up for days for tickets and before Super Junior even arrives in the country, buy their merchandise, may it be fan-made or official, and scream their hearts out while waving their blue lightsticks and be part of the “Sapphire Blue Ocean.”

“I have been a fan of them since they debuted,” a fan from the Philippines says. “I can still remember the first time I saw them on the Internet. They looked so cool dancing and singing, plus they’re 13 members? How could they manage that?”

“Before, we really thought it was impossible for them to actually stage a concert in the Philippines. We tried looking for promoters but they were not convinced that Super Junior would make a bang. We had to go to different countries just to watch them. It’s like hitting two birds with one stone when you go to a different country: you are able to see Super Junior and you are able to visit a different country.

“No two Super Shows are the same so we tend to see every show that we can,” Chichi Laconico, SJUPH’s president, added.

“The fans coming for the Manila leg of Super Show 3 should be excited as the stage here has the closest proximity to the audience as compared to other countries,” Happee Sy, vice president of Pulp Live World Productions, said. “They have the chance to really see the boys up close and even interact with them, as they will be preparing special surprises for their fans.”

Super Junior fans can get free tickets by purchasing P15,000 worth of accumulated receipts of Sanuk Footwear. This entitles a customer to two Upper A concert tickets for free on a first come, first served basis only. For more details about the promo, visit Sanuk participating stores at SM Mall of Asia; SM Megamall; SM The Block; SM Fairview; SM Southmall; Citywalk 2, Eastwood City; Robinson’s Place Manila; SM Davao; SM Batangas; SM Calamba; SM Lucena; SM Tarlac; Marquee Mall; Limketkai Mall; Ayala Center Cebu; Robinson’s Place Iloilo; SM Cebu; TriNoma Mall.

Super Show 3: Super Junior the 3rd Asia Tour is presented by Pulp Live World Productions and Smart, Hyundai, BPI, Samsung, Sanük, Gerry’s Grill and Happee Toothpaste, with special thanks to Makati Shangri-La, Discovery Suites, The Philippine STAR, MYX, Universal Records, Magic 89.9, 99.5 RT, Win Radio 107.5, SEOUL FM, 360 Media, Media Magnet, Odyssey and Hyundai Truck & Bus. Tickets are still available at all Ticketnet outlets or call 911-5555.