My Supreme Junior

MANILA, Philippines - Somebody teach us Korean, quick! We Filipinos can’t seem to get enough of Siwon, Donghae, and the rest of Super Junior, the 12-man international K-Pop sensation.

Choi Si-won (or just Siwon) and Lee Dong-hae (or simply Donghae) wow millions of fans all over the world, with their monster hits with Super Junior, acting stints in various dramas, and even the honor of having their faces appear on Chinese postage stamps. They are true icons, and Bench, the global brand with local roots, has turned to them for its autumn collection.

As diehard Super Junior fans camped outside the Manila Peninsula Hotel this week, Supreme was privileged to have a sit-down merienda cena with Siwon and Donghae. We spoke to them about their recent photo shoot for Bench, their visits to the Philippines, and their grasp of the Filipino language.

SUPREME: Hello, annyeong haseyo, and welcome to the Philippines.

CHOI SIWON: Thank you! Mabuhay!

LEE DONGHAE: Mabuhay!

How has your trip been so far?

SIWON: My most recent visit was on the first of January this year. Kyuhyun and I came for the ad — we shot for an ad — for a chicken brand in Korea. As the whole of Super Junior, I remember we came last year, when we had the concert for the Super Show in Manila.

Your fans really requested for you guys to be endorsers for Bench. How do you feel now, that you guys are already shooting for Bench?

So, first of all, we are very thankful to see our fans. We are also thankful that they always support and give love to Super Junior. And even before you told us, we already know that they are always supporting us, and they are behind us. But still, we are very happy to hear that Filipino fans think about us. We are so grateful.

Regarding your shoot with Bench, how was the shoot and what kind of clothes did you guys wear for the shoot?

Yeah, actually, we just had a shoot for the new collections for Bench the other day, and the photographer was very famous in LA and in the US. Donghae and I, with the help of the photographer, knew what we needed, and what we wanted. And so it was a very comfortable shoot. Also because of the styles of the clothes of the Bench was our style. So we really enjoyed the shoot. Bench is a very great company. Definitely a lot of respect for Bench and their work.

What is your personal style?

DONGHAE: What I am wearing now is my style. I like my clothes which are very comfortable and very casual, very modern. So, I always like wearing this kind of clothes. I think we’re like most men. We like to dress up but we don’t like very powerful colors. We like plain colors. I mean, a look that’s modern and casual.

Have you learned any Filipino words?

SIWON: Mabuhay! Salamat po!

TOGETHER: Mahal ko kayo!

Teach us something in Korean, too.

SIWON: Sarangheo means mahal ko kayo.

What is your message to your Filipino fans throughout Philippines?

Thank you so much for your love and support. Thank you for keeping them coming. Because of your love and support, we came here to Manila for the promotion of Bench. And we will try our best to work for Bench some more — for a long time, maybe. And please, give love and support.