SuperM packs arena — fans get the win
Kpop supergroup provides spectacular alternative to football
Super Sunday: a day when charismatic young men at their physical peak, specialists in their craft, make fans go wild.
I’m talking, of course, about the Korean pop group SuperM, which packed the SAP Center in San Jose on Sunday, Feb. 2.
SuperM, the supergroup that has been compared to Marvel’s Avengers, consists of Taemin, Baekhyun, Kai, Taeyong, Mark, Lucas and Ten — and they are each certified aces of their respective Kpop groups (Shinee, EXO, NCT 127, and WayV). The supergroup concept has been done before in Kpop, but this one feels different. By plucking the top talents from SM Entertainment, one of South Korea’s dominant music companies, SuperM feels more like a sleek Lamborghini than a trickedout import.
The crowd, mostly young and female, was definitely up for it after waiting in long lines outside SAP Center. By the time the group hit the stage to “I Can’t Stand the Rain” at 7:20 p.m., the Shark Tank was filled with screaming, lightstickclutching fans who helped set the scene, as if the arena was taken over by multicolored fireflies.
With the group already at headliner status with just six songs to its name (not counting two instrumentals), the big question was how SuperM was going to execute an arenaquality show with limited material.
The answer: Give each member a solo spotlight.
One by one, they gave insights into each of their artistic specialties and personalities. Ten, Taemin and Kai’s kinetic dance moves during their individual turns were breathtaking and indicative of the vital role choreography plays in Kpop. Baekhyun gave off heavy R&B vibes during “Betcha” and “UN Village.” Lucas showed himself to be the most playful member during his “Bass Go Boom” spotlight, while “GTA” and “Talk About” revealed Taeyong and Mark as the resident hiphop heads, stalking the stage and spitting bars like rap heroes.
They also added unreleased songs and a tasty cover of NCT U’s
By plucking the top talents from one of South Korea’s dominant music companies, SuperM feels more like a sleek Lamborghini than a trickedout import.
“Baby Don’t Stop,” making the concert feel like an exclusive listening party. When they all assembled for “No Manners,” “2 Fast,” “Super Car” and the unreleased trappop track “Dangerous Woman,” the energy in the arena spiked, demonstrating that
Baekhyun, member of the boy bands EXO and SuperM, speaking through an interpreter
SuperM is more than just the sum of its ridiculously goodlooking parts.
“I’ll be honest, I was a little tired. But when I saw you, my energy is 100% filled,” Baekhyun said, through an interpreter. “You guys are like my Red Bulls.”
During the highlight reel that played between the main set and the threesong closer, the words “SuperM is forever” echoed around the arena. It was tantalizing confirmation that the group is not just a oneoff and will continue to record and tour in the future.
And when they performed their gargantuan single “Jopping,” that really sent the crowd buzzing home on an otherwise depressing day for the Bay Area’s Niner Gang. Parents who gave up their Super Bowl Sunday to chaperone their kids to a SuperM concert made a wise choice. It was the ultimate audible.
“I’ll be honest, I was a little tired. But when I saw you, my energy is 100% filled. You guys are like my Red Bulls.”