[K-Pop Concert Look Back] Super Junior’s “Super Show 8 – Infinite Time in Manila”

Legendary K-Pop group Super Junior staged the last Super Show 8 for the year 2019 in the Philippines.

Super Junior came to the country on December 15, 2019 for the final stage of Super Show 8 that year at the Mall of Asia Arena. Fortunately for me, I was able to be part of that crowd. While we still struggle with a lot of things this year, memories of that night brightens up my days. It was indeed an early Christmas gift for PH ELFs as our favorite men delivered a fun musical night.

Super Show 8 – Infinite Time in Manila was not the first K-Pop concert I’ve been to. But it was the first Super Junior event I have attended. I still considered myself fairly new to K-Pop as I have only been into this genre since 2017. However, I know Super Junior because they are BIG in the Philippines. It’s really hard not to know them as “Sorry Sorry” became an anthem. Though they are not the group that got me into K-Pop, they immediately became one of my favorites.

To commemorate that lovely night one year ago, here’s a look back on my first ever SuJu concert.

Original article published in Hellokpop on December 18, 2019.

Pre-concert treats

Super Junior gave their all for the last show of their world tour this year (2019). As the group serenaded the crowd with their classic and latest hits, the fans reciprocated. The venue vibrated with so much passion and energy emanating from both Super Junior and their dearest ELF.

Before the event, fans got the ultimate experience of being a step closer to their favorite group through Globe K-MMUNITY PH’s exclusive booths. Fans enjoyed the different booths catered to their fangirling or fanboying needs.

Die-hard ELFs danced to Super Junior songs in the Dance Studio; practiced the fan chant and sang along to the songs through Chant Studio; took a pic with their idols/bias in the Idol Studio and tapped to songs of their favorites in Record Studio. They also posed in front of the well-lit Super Junior logo before making their way inside the venue. Exclusive Super Junior merchandise were also sold through the K-MMUNITY booth.

The long-awaited moment finally arrived. Filling the Mall of Asia Arena to the brim, Filipino ELFs chanted, sang along and screamed to their hearts’ content with every performance from their favorite men.

Audience Warmed Up their Voices

It really would not be a Filipino concert crowd without fans singing or screaming even before the show starts. PH ELFs made sure to fill the entire venue with their voices. Super Junior, who has performed in the country multiple times, definitely know their Filipino fans. The moment the lights dimmed and “Song for You” played, fans were prepared and so eager to sing. By the time the iconic intro of “Superman” echoed, the audience was all warmed up and ready for more.

Super Junior and PH ELFs were In-Sync

After the fans sang together on the first two songs, Super Junior did an awesome entrance with “The Crown”. The lyrics “I’m ready for you now” aptly described the atmosphere, combined with the beautiful stage and the frenzied crowd, Super Junior officially kicked off the show. After which, they performed “A Man in Love”, “BONAMANA” and “Blue World”. Armed with their Super Bongs, fans waved their light sticks with much gusto. The changing colors and the fans synchronized waving created such a beautiful sight.

For their first ment of the night, the members greeted the audience and introduced themselves individually. Shindong did the mandatory scream challenge, and as expected PH ELFs did not disappoint. The bubbly member also added that every time they come to the country, fans always make him feel nice.

Super Junior – such a diverse & playful group

Ryeowook, the second member to greet the audience, said it has been a while since he stood in front of PH ELFs and that he missed them [fans] so much. Dong Hae sang and changed the lyrics of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” to Dong Hae is coming to Philippines (he actually made it work), and the crowd joined him. Quiet Yesung waved and also greeted the fans. The members had fun teasing Siwon who was sporting a beard. They went as far as saying he is the group’s own Santa Claus.

Meanwhile, Kyuhyun who wanted to hear the crowd’s screams urged them to do some more. He went on his knees appreciating the fans’ greetings and also said he missed ELFs so much. Members Ryeowook and Kyuhyun received the warmest welcome as fans have missed them, having been recently discharged from the military.

Hyuk Jae, who seemed to be into the Frozen 2 movie, sang the hook of its OST “Into the Unknown”. He even asked the crowd if they have watched it already. Leader Lee Teuk with a huge smile greeted the crowd as well.

A string of great performances

Super Junior and the audience took a breather with a short VCR before going into their second set. After the VCR viewing, the members went back on stage and performed a combination of songs from their latest album Time_Slip and past hits such as “Heads Up”, “I Think I”, “Sexy, Free & Single” and “Mr. Simple”.

Another VCR with Super Junior giving their definition of love flashed on screen giving time for the members to prep for the next batch of performances. Back on stage, the group gifted fans with songs “Opera”, “Love Disease”, “She’s Gone”, “My All Is In You”, “Believe”, “Somebody New” and “No Other”. The members acknowledged the presence of Shindong’s mom, who was in the audience and said that for them “love is ELF”.

The group then introduced the audience to old school rapper Super Junior through a fun and witty video. Then they came out and performed “Rokkugo” and “Hairspray”. Sub-unit K.R.Y. (Kyuhyun, Ryeowook and Yesung) showcased their dancing skills as well. Shindong and D&E gave an endearing and funny performance of the “ELF Song”.

Super Junior once again performed as a group with “Devil”, “Shirt”, and “Super Clap”. A short gap followed as “Stay With Me” played. Then the group were back again on stage for their final set with performances of “MAMACITA”, “Black Suit”, “Sorry Sorry – Answer” and “Sorry Sorry”.

Encore + Ending Ment + Surprise

While waiting, fans viewed a video with simple instructions to clap as many times as told. Super Junior performed “Show” and “Too Many Beautiful Girls” for their encore stage. After the performance, the members thanked the fans for spending the night with them and hoped that they enjoyed it. Lee Teuk said that he saw the buildings are getting taller every time they come to the Philippines and he hopes that the love of PH ELFs also grows stronger with the passage of time.

He then announced that they are preparing for a new album and that they will see PH ELFs once again for Super Show 9 much to the crowd’s delight. He teased the crowd by asking if they should make it a two-day show to which the fans eagerly said yes to.

It was indeed a night of old and new memories for Super Junior and Filipino ELFs. They have already shared and endured moments together for the past fifteen years and it is not going to stop anytime soon.

While Super Show 9 is not going to happen anytime soon given the current situation, I still have the memories of that night to relive for as long as I have to. It is more than enough to pass the time as I and their legion of fans wait for the next Super Show to come.