Ending 2022’s Korean events in Manila, all roads indeed led us to Super Junior’s Super Show 9 : ROAD in Manila. Filipino ELFs and Super Junior once again met this year and celebrated Christmas together.
Kings of Hallyu wave, Super Junior composed of Leeteuk, Yesung, Shindong, Eunhyuk, Donghae, Siwon, Ryeowook, and Kyuhyun, successfully wrapped up their two-day concert in Manila on December 17 and 18 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Before the concert started, ELFs flock to the venue early to give out freebies and prepare fan projects. Some of the freebies we saw were keychains, tote bags, bracelets, and of course photocards.
During the show, we were drawn in by the opening video (VCR). As Super Junior took the stage, we were mesmerized by their captivating energy and stage presence. The red strings tied around their wrists added a unique touch to their performance, making them look like marionette puppets come to life. This theatrical element was further enhanced by their opening performance of “Burn the Floor,” a song from their tenth full-length album The Renaissance. Together, the combination of the dramatic stage performance and the song created a mesmerizing and immersive experience for the audience.
Flames burst during “The Crown” performance, continuing the fiery and burning performance. The flames, combined with the overall appearance of the stage being on fire, conveyed message that Super Junior is still on their throne and has never left.
From those two songs, they really showed that they are SUPER. The boys performed “Super” also from their 10th full length album to hype the crowd much more. After that, Super Junior performed the iconic song “Mr. Simple”. Even after 11 years, the song remains a masterpiece in its own right.
After their opening performances, Super Junior continued to showcase their talents with renditions of “Ticky Tocky,” “Paradox,” and “Mystery.” These songs highlighted the group’s impressive dancing skills, and we were consistently impressed by Yesung’s powerful vocals throughout the entire concert. His voice added depth and emotion to the performances, elevating them to the next level. The stage setup was also highly spectacular, adding to the overall visual impact of the concert. The group also performed “2YA2YAO,” further demonstrating their versatility and skill as performers.
Kyuhyun, Ryeowook, and Yesung’s performance of “I Can’t” provided comfort and warmth to everyone in the arena. Their voices were soothing and heartwarming, like a cozy blanket on a cold night. Other members went on stage one by one as they sang “Believe.” It’s a meaningful moment for both Super Junior and ELFs and we also hope that this will continue forever.
One of the most memorable moments of the concert was Super Junior’s performance of “My Wish.” It was a deeply moving and emotional moment for both the group and their ELFs. As we watched the performance, our only wish was for Super Junior and their fans to always have the opportunity to come together and share in these special moments. It was a powerful reminder of the bond between the group and their dedicated fans.
As the next song began, our sadness faded away and we were filled with happiness. During the performance of “Callin,” we felt loved and euphoric. Super Junior made the two nights truly memorable with their performance of their newest song, “Celebrate,” in Manila. It was a wonderful Christmas gift for the Filipino ELF. Super Junior’s colorful, floral outfits added to their charm and style, and their sincere and emotional vocals added warmth and depth to the song.During the performance, Super Junior made eye contact with their fans and wore bright smiles on their faces, creating a special and memorable experience for all in attendance. Their genuine connection with the audience added an extra layer of intimacy to the performance, making it an unforgettable moment for both the group and their fans.
During the middle of the concert, Super Junior appeared in a video as classical music gods and later took the stage dressed as classical musicians with wigs on. The show was not only a musical performance, but also a variety show, offering a complete entertainment experience. Super Junior’s classical versions of their hit songs “SPY,” “Mamacita,” and “Rokkugo,” and their impressive vocal harmonies left a lasting impression on us.
Leeteuk, Shindong, and Siwon energized the crowd with their groovy performance of “Latte,” and the rest of Super Junior kept the party going with “House Party.” The live version of “Everyday” was a standout moment, with everyone in the arena having fun and enjoying the song. Some lucky fans even had the chance to interact with the members during the performance. The party continued as Super Junior sang “Wonder Boy,” and “Let’s Dance.”
What they performed after were “Devil” and “Mango.” Their performance of “Devil” was refreshing and cool, with a retro cinema background adding to the atmosphere.
Donghae and Eunhyuk brought their electrifying performances of “B.A.D.” and “Danger” to the stage, captivating the audience with their powerful rap and dancing skills, as well as their dynamic stage presence. There was no slowing down as they kept the energy high throughout their performances.
As the concert neared its end (sadly), Super Junior performed their hit songs “Sorry, Sorry,” “Bonamana,” and “Black Suit.” As fans ourselves, we were thrilled to witness the legends deliver a top-notch performance, complete with impressive visuals, high energy, flawless vocals and all the elements that make their concerts unforgettable.
During the encore, Super Junior sang “More Days With You” and “Walkin,” which touched us emotionally. We knew how much both ELFs and Super Junior had waited for this moment, and it was a magical experience for all. As the two nights came to a close, it felt surreal. The promise of being able to meet again in the future added to the magic of the moment.
Concluding the nights, for the last song, Super Junior performed two different songs on the first and second days of the concert. On the first day, they sang “Happiness,” and on the second day, they gifted ELFs with a performance of “White Love,” which is also from their latest album.
As someone who has been in the K-Pop scene for a long time, I already witnessed the everlasting friendship of Super Junior and ELFs countless times. Despite facing challengers, Super Junior and ELFs have consistently demonstrated their loyalty and support for one another. No matter what obstacles they may face, they always have each other’s backs.
Super Junior’s Road will keep going and will bring you to beautiful places. Until our next Super Show road trip!
The highly anticipated Super Show in Manila featuring Super Junior will be the grand finale of all Korean events in Manila for 2022, marking the end of an unforgettable year of Korean entertainment. Super Show 9 : Road in Manila was presented by PULP Live World.
