Stay tuned for Pyo Kyung-min's latest K-pop stories, where she digs into the backstories that matter. She’d love to hear from you — share your thoughts at pzzang@koreatimes.co.kr. After all, every article gets better with insights from those who love the scene, just like she does!
Super Junior’s 20-year journey shows what K-pop longevity looks like
K-pop boy band Super Junior peforms onstage during the group's recent "SUPER SHOW 10" concert at the KSPO Dome in Seoul, Sunday. Courtesy of SM Entertainment
By Pyo Kyung-min
SM Entertainment boy group traces path from ‘Sorry, Sorry’ to global stage
In K-pop, the seven-year contract has long been seen as a finish line. For many groups, it's the point where its members either decide to renew or part ways, with only a handful surviving beyond it — and even fewer managing to thrive.
Yet Super Junior, SM Entertainment's first-ever large-scale boy band which debuted in 2005, has not only repeatedly renewed its commitment to stay together, but also set benchmarks for K-pop's global rise. Two decades on, the group now stands as one of the rarest acts to endure the industry turbulence, cementing its place as a model of K-pop longevity.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Super Junior recently released its 12th studio album, "Super Junior 25," in July, before launching the 10th edition of its long-running concert series, "SUPER SHOW."
Having opened last weekend with three nights in Seoul, the tour now heads to 16 cities across Asia, Europe and the Americas, running through March 2026. Since its launch in 2008, the series has drawn more than 2 million fans, making it the longest-running concert brand in K-pop.
The official teaser image for K-pop act Super Junior's 12th studio album, "Super Junior 25," released July 8 / Courtesy of SM Entertainment
Super Junior's origins trace back to an experiment by SM founder Lee Soo-man. Debuting as Super Junior05, the group was initially conceived as a project act with 12 members who could be rotated in and out.
But its concept shifted in 2006 when member Kyuhyun joined, cementing the act as a permanent 13-member lineup. That year, the group scored its first music show win with "U," quickly sweeping rookie awards and solidifying its rising status.
The group's true breakout came in 2009 with its third studio album, featuring the iconic K-pop anthem, "Sorry, Sorry."
With its addictive rhythm, catchy lyrics and easy-to-follow choreography, the track became a global hit, sparking countless cover dance videos across Asia and serving as one of the first exports of K-pop's international wave.
Super Junior then went on to expand its reach beyond traditional K-pop strongholds, such as Japan, China and Southeast Asia, to Europe and Latin America, achieving a string of K-pop firsts: the first solo concert in France, the first in Saudi Arabia and the largest Latin American tour by a Korean group in the early 2010s.
Even as members faced personal challenges, scandals or legal battles with SM, the group continued to deliver. Tracks such as "Mr. Simple" (2011), "Sexy, Free & Single" (2012), "Devil" (2015) and "Black Suit" (2017) added to a steady stream of hits defined by the band's signature dance-driven sound.
Part of Super Junior's resilience came from reimagining what a large-member group could do. When full-group promotions were not possible due to military enlistments or solo schedules, the band introduced subunits to highlight versatility.
Super Junior-K.R.Y., a vocal trio, debuted in 2006, followed by the trot-focused Super Junior-T, the China-targeted Super Junior-M, the lighthearted Super Junior-H and the still-active duo Super Junior-D&E. In 2023, Leeteuk, Shindong and Siwon formed Super Junior-L.S.S., further proving the system's adaptability.
The subunit model, first pioneered by Super Junior, not only kept the group active but also shaped the direction of later SM acts. EXO adopted a similar strategy with units, while NCT took the concept further with its rotational expansion system.
Beyond music, the members have carved out solo careers in acting, musical theater, television and emceeing, amplifying the group's brand across multiple industries. Its fandom, known as ELF, has grown alongside them, sustaining Super Junior through two decades of evolution.
The members of K-pop act Super Junior pose during a press conference for the release of its seventh studio album “MAMACITA” at a hotel in southern Seoul in this file photo from Aug. 28, 2014. Newsis
As one of K-pop's longest-running boy bands, Super Junior has balanced reinvention with a steady loyalty to its name. At their recent anniversary shows in Seoul, the Super Junior members turned reflective, speaking directly to the fans who have carried them this far.
"Because of your love, we exist," they told the crowd. "Thank you for gathering to celebrate our 20th anniversary, for laughing and crying with us and for remembering our journey together. We dreamed of making it to 'SUPER SHOW 11,' and now it feels within reach."