Super Junior (Korean: 슈퍼주니어; Syupeo Junieo) is a popular South Korean idol group. Formed in 2005 by producer Lee Soo-man of SM Entertainment, the group comprised a total of thirteen members at its peak. Super Junior originally debuted with twelve members, consisting of leader Leeteuk, Heechul, Han Geng, Yesung, Kangin, Shindong, Sungmin, Eunhyuk, Donghae, Siwon, Ryeowook and Kibum. Kyuhyun joined the group in 2006.
Super Junior launched into international recognition following the release of their best-selling single "Sorry, Sorry" in 2009, the title song of their most critically successful album Sorry, Sorry. The group has released and contributed to over 20 records with varying degrees of success, and was the best-selling K-pop artist for three years in a row.
Over the years, they have been divided into smaller subgroups, simultaneously targeting different music industries and audiences. Largely due to Super Junior's success as entertainers, other Korean entertainment managements began to train their music groups in other areas of entertainment, such as acting and hosting. In addition to their commercial success, Super Junior has earned ten music awards from the Mnet Asian Music Awards, thirteen from the Golden Disk Awards, and is the second singing group to win Favorite Artist Korea at the 2008 MTV Asia Awards after JTL in 2003.
In December 2009, Han Geng departed from the group after filing a lawsuit against their agency SM Entertainment. Han Geng subsequently won the lawsuit in December 2010, though his departure from Super Junior was not made official until September 27, 2011, when S.M. Entertainment finally released a statement to that effect. Heechul enlisted for his mandatory military service on September 1, 2011. Kangin was absent from the group for their fourth and fifth album promotions, but completed his service in April 2012, and has rejoined the group for their sixth album in mid 2012. As well as this, Kibum remains absent from the group while pursuing an acting career, however the remaining members consider the absent three to be part of the group regardless.
This has left Super Junior with ten currently active members with the group: Leeteuk, Yesung, Kangin, Shindong, Sungmin, Eunhyuk, Donghae, Siwon, Ryeowook, and Kyuhyun.
| Background information | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Seoul, South Korea |
| Genres | K-pop, R&B, dance, bubblegum pop,electropop, pop-rock, teen pop, house, hip hop, electronica |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Labels | S.M. Entertainment (South Korea) Avex Group (Japan) |
| Associated acts | SM Town Super Junior-T Super Junior-M Super Junior-Happy Super Junior Donghae Eunhyuk Super Junior-K.R.Y |
| Website | superjunior.smtown.com |
| Members | |
| Leeteuk Heechul Han Geng Yesung Kangin Shindong Sungmin Eunhyuk Donghae Siwon Ryeowook Kibum Kyuhyun | |
