Super Junior returns stronger despite the absence of Choi Si-won
SEOUL: Super Junior is back as a six-member group and appears to be stronger despite the absence of Choi Si-won.
They are back with their eighth full-length album Play, which also marks their 12th year together.
Choi had decided to sit out the group’s promotions for Play after coming under fire over the death of a local businesswoman who died after being attacked by his family’s dog.
“Honestly speaking, we’ve contemplated a lot on whether we should hold this press conference or not. After finishing their military service, Siwon, Donghae and Eunhyuk worked real hard on our new album, and we all feel deeply sorry for Siwon not being able to join us,” band leader Leetuk said about Choi’s absence during a press conference.
Choi’s vocals and image were not removed from the album and accompanying music videos.
“Through thick and thin for the last 12 years, we’ve always managed to stand strong together not to fall apart. And we realised that after overcoming hardships came other good opportunities. We will try not to lose cheerfulness and a sense of humour, and try to fill Choi’s space,” Lee said.
During the press conference, the remaining six members appeared cheerful despite their sudden canine- enforced downsizing. Their new album contains ten tracks. The main track Black Suit is a high- energy dance pop number highlighted by a propulsive swing rhythm.
In the song’s accompanying music video, six men, all clad in fashionable black suits, dance to the upbeat melody that recalls the group’s previous dance- driven hits such as 2009 breakthrough hit Sorry Sorry. The album also includes tracks such as dance number Scene Stealer, modern pop piece One More Chance, Good Day for a Good Day, Too Late and I Do.
Asked whether the bandmates, having entered their 30s, found dancing more physically challenging than before, Eunhyuk replied: “People worry that we won’t be able to perform as well as before due to our age, but we tried our best in developing choreographies just like before.”