How I become a Super Junior Fan? My K-Pop Adventure!
It was November 2018 when I got back home from almost 4 years work abroad. During my arrival, my family and a good friend fetch me at the airport as we will be having a family vacation in Manila before heading to my hometown in Davao. I notice that my friend (Kuya Nicko), my Brother and Sister-In-Law talked about K-Drama that they have watched. Korean Drama was popular in the Philippines that time (and until now). I was not aware about Korean Entertainment not until I came back home. I remember them saying that I will be hooked for sure which I disagree at that time since I am so into N’Sync, Britney Spears, Backstreetboys and NBA.
Lo and behold, few months after I was hooked through K-Pop. So, how I become a K-Pop Fan, an ELF to be specific? Here is my story.
As I was settled at home and watching TV, the shows that are being played are Korean Drama. At that time it was Hwarang: The Poet warrior Youth being shown in the evening which stars Park Seo Joon, Park Hyung Sik, Choi Min-ho, Kim Tae Hyung and among others. As I searched about the cast (thanks to Google) I learned that 3 of the casts are members of a Korean Boy Group. Park Hyung Sik is a former member of ZE:A, Choi Min-Ho is a member of Shinee and Kim Tae Hyung who is also known as V of the most popular Korean Boy Group today, BTS. With this, I checked them in YouTube. I watched their music videos and some variety show clips. As I browse YouTube, I have also watched Bigbang, another popular Boy Group from Korea which is lead by G-Dragon which was linked to Sandara Park who won in a reality contest in the Philippines before she became 2NE1. I also learned that BTS and Bigbang just visited Philippines for a concert at that time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnMoDDbEccE
Then, one music video caught my interest. I like the song, it is so nice to listen to and like a feel good song. It is Super Junior’s No Other. With that music video one member caught my eyes because for me his very good looking and I like his smile. I searched for his name and learned he is the group leader, Leeteuk. Since then, I was so into him and an avid fan of Super Junior especially Leeteuk. You could say, the rest is history. But it doesn’t end there.
Being a K-Pop Fan or I rather prefer to be called a Super Junior Fan or an ELF since I support fully only this group; is really a wonderful experience. Supporting the group by buying their merchandise and album even though I cannot understand the lyrics.
By the way, my first K-Pop Merchandise is the Limited Edition Untitled 2017. This was G-Dragon’s gift to his fans since he will be going to attend the mandatory military service in Korea. Yes, my first K-Pop Merch is not Super Junior. I remember, my sister-in-law help me to buy this merch since it is only exclusive online. I am just starting to like K-Pop at this point and I like listening to Super Junior, Bigbang, BTS and other K-Pop Songs.
The same year, it was announced that Super Show 7, Super Junior World Tour will also be in Manila. That get me excited as I will be able to watch them and see Leeteuk in person.
As I always check in the internet, specifically Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Twitter, I learned that one very essential item that you need to bring when attending a K-Pop concert is a Light Stick. I searched online and was able to get one thru KMerch PH. My first Light Stick is Super Junior Bong or SuJu Bong.
June 30, 2018 was my first K-Pop Concert. I fly in Manila on the day of the concert. At that time I did not know how things are. That there are things that I have to consider. I learned that before buying the ticket, I should consider the seat number and location based on where my Bias position on stage. This is important because in this way I will be able to see him perform up close and maybe, be lucky enough that he will notice me and a possibility to get a selfie or autograph maybe. That time I was not able to because my seat was a little bit far away from the stage and no access for me to get close to Leeteuk nor the stage.
During the day of the concert, there are other fan groups of Super Junior that has freebies to give out to their co-fans/co-ELFs before the concert begins. This is also a way to promote their fan groups. I am planning to do the same. I think I still have some freebies 2 years ago that I can give out. I hope they are still ok though. Believe it or not, there are international fans who will also watch the concert even though some of them will also have Super Show in their country.
First time watching a Korean Pop Concert and I was amazed. The staging, light effects and production itself. Although, I cannot understand what Super Junior is saying, even though there is an interpreter, the mood of the concert itself is so different than those concerts that I attended before. It is so exciting that you will really want to watch again and again. You will not notice the time and felt that the concert ended so quickly. You want more. I want more. That is why I am looking forward for the next Super Show.
Super Show 8: Infinite Time happened last December 15, 2019 . My second Super Show that I attended. With what I learned last SS7, I was able to get a nice seat, though not that accessible to Leeteuk but it was good enough.
I felt that there was an instance he did notice me and the banner that I was holding. That for me is enough because I really enjoy the concert especially the part that they sang No Other. My all time favorite Super Junior Song.
During SS8, our fan group also joined a Fan Project, which is so challenging and learned the hard way. One realization is that to never participate again because it is no joke. The preparation and implementation it was stressful. I felt that I was not able to have fun and bonded with my friends that time. However, kuddos to those who organize it. I have high respect to them but as for me and my group, we will be happy to just be simply an ordinary fan and attend the concert to enjoy it and have fun. But it is a wonderful experience. It was really a learning experience.
The Fan Group that I am part of, Project SJ-ELF.PH organized the first Photo Exhibit for Super Junior in the Philippines. It was last May 19, 2019. It was really a wonderful experience. It is not easy to organize fan projects like this. I was disappointed that I was not able to attend and I congratulate my co-admins for a very successful fan project.
One thing also during K-Pop or Super Junior concerts, there are fans who really will go to the airport and wait for their arrival at the same time after concert they will also be there to send them off. I was able to experienced it. It was ok though I was not able to see them really, because of the tight security, it is impossible. I was able to document my Super Show 8 Adventure. You may check my YouTube Channel: Karen Kheaye. It was a 2 part video. I think I will do the same with Super Show 9. Let us see.
I am still a fan until now of Super Junior (obviously). Though, I am somewhat cut down in buying their merchandise not like on my first year or 2nd year. I now choose what merch to buy aside from the albums. I love wearing Super Junior T-Shirt and Jackets (official or fan made). My friend Annie Mey/SweetPeriwinkle Heenim is making Fan Made Shirts. Most of my shirts are from her because I like the quality of the shirt.
One good thing that I got from being a Super Junior Fan is that I was able to meet wonderful people that became my Friends/Sisters. I was able meet the Royalty Fans, I call them that because those fans who were there since the beginning or long time fans of Super Junior. For me they are the Rock Starts of ELF Fandom. I was lucky that I was able to meet them and I could say became my friend aside from my friends from Project SJ-ELF.PH fan group. My friends from PSE PH, they are my close friends.
By the way, base from my experience there are also fans who are not that nice but I don’t dwell too much on that because the Rock Star Fans are the best. They are all nice and down to earth. One of them is same like me, a LeeTeuk Bias. I respect them too much also because inspite of the exclusive events that they were able to attend with Super Junior, they remain humble, nice and kind.
I am excited for the Super Show 9: Road in Manila. I will treat this as my last Super Show because maybe I will not be able to watch next Super Show as I am really planning to get married and focus more on settling down and have my own family. That is why, I have a mission for this concert. That is to get a selfie with LeeTeuk and/or an autograph. If that will happen, my Fan Girl life is complete! But if not, well, I think if there is still Super Show 10 and I am still single, I will attend and try again.
I am hoping for the best and looking forward to another fun and adventure with Super Junior in the upcoming Super Show 9: Road in Manila.
Just some Trivia or Small Facts that I also learned being into Korean Pop Scene:
- Korean Boyband and Girl Groups even the Korean Actors/Actress have names for their fans. For Super Junior Fans we are called ELF which means an Ever Lasting Friends of Super Junior.
- Bias means your favorite member in a Boy or Girl Group. For me, my one and only Bias is Leeteuk, the leader of Super Junior
- Each Fan Groups or Fandom represents a color. For Super Junior, the Fan Color is Sapphire Blue.
- A must have in attending a K-Pop Concert is a Light Stick. In K-Pop their light stick has a name. For Super Junior it is called SuJu Bong.
- Before buying a K-Pop Concert ticket be sure that you know where your Bias position is in order for you to always see him or if you have plans to do things to make him notice you. (I have been trying this for 2 SuShows before but I failed. Hopefully I will succeed this SS9)
- Stan means a fan of a group member or a particular group.
- K-Pop Fans do Fan Projects for their idols. Mostly this Fan Projects has a beneficiary. Like the one that I organize with my PSE.PH Friends, proceeds was given to Unicef. There are also Fan Projects during the concert itself which I participated last SS8.
- Fans mostly buy albums during the Pre-Order because of first press benefits.
LeeTeuk – Super Junior Leader
#SuperJunior #KPop #SuperShow#SuperShow9 #SS9 #SouthKorea #Leeteuk #Heechul #Yesung #Shindong #Eunhyuk #Siwon #Donghae #Ryeowook #Kyuhyun #FanGirl #KPopFan #FanGirlMode
Karen Kheaye 
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