Super Junior once again proved their legendary status and the ‘unyielding’everlasting love’ and devotion of E.L.F.s, by delivering a sold-out performance of “Super Show 10” in Manila at the MOA Arena last October 4.
Presented by Pulp Live World, the concert was a grand tour stop and a heartfelt celebration marking two decades of shared history and an unbreakable bond with their loyal Filipino E.L.F.s. The sheer volume of fan cheers from the moment the lights dimmed confirmed that for the Philippines, Super Junior’s reign is eternal.
The Grand Arrival of the Kings
The show opened with a dazzling display of star power. The members—Leeteuk, Heechul, Yesung, Shindong, Eunhyuk, Siwon, Donghae, Ryeowook, and Kyuhyun—appeared on stage like royalty, clad in pristine, all-white suits brilliantly accented with dazzling metallic details that caught the spotlight. This regal look set the tone for the explosive beginning.
The arena immediately erupted as they launched into their intense, rock-infused debut track “Twins (Knock Out),” seamlessly transitioning into the iconic hit “U.” The momentum was unstoppable as they delivered high-energy performances of fan favorites “너라고 (It’s You),” “Black Suit,” and one of their iconic songs “Mamacita,” showcasing the precision choreography and vocal strength the group is known for.
A Journey Down Super Junior Memory Lane
A significant pause in the concert allowed for a deeply sentimental moment: a 20th-anniversary memorial video. This retrospective featured footage of the members from their earliest years, offering a dramatic look back at the origins of the group and taking the audience on a collective “Super Junior memory lane.” The nostalgia hung heavy in the air as fans cheered for their younger idols.
The members then returned to the stage, trading their white attire for sleek all-black outfits, appearing truly “like kings sitting on their thrones.” The atmosphere became more commanding as they moved from the main stage to the extended stage for powerful renditions of “Superman” and “Supergirl.”
The segment featured dramatic staging for tracks like “Haircut,” which led into an artistic, compelling performance of “Say Less,” where the idols utilized large black blankets to create striking, theatrical visuals. Following a brief ment and the uplifting performance of “Walkin’,” a VCR further amplified the evening’s emotional core.
From Penlights to Lightsticks
The next video segment was a profound tribute to the fans’ endurance, capturing the nostalgic feeling of being an E.L.F. for two decades. The screen displayed quotes reflecting the depth of their devotion, including the realization: “That moment would change the course of my life.” — A message that most fans, including myself, can totally relate to.
Other heartfelt messages articulated the fans’ unwavering support: “My room was filled with nothing but you… Even after 10, 20 years, I’ll still be by your side. From penlights to lightsticks.” The VCR concluded with a message of enduring gratitude in Korean: “늘 고맙고 사랑한다” (Always thankful and I love you).
The boys then reappeared in casual, fun vibe attires, ready to share a more intimate connection with the audience. They performed “I Know,” followed by the heart-warming “Our Love (사랑해요).” During the latter, the arena was filled with loud, united chants of the fans’ names throughout the song, a genuine display of collective affection. The intimacy continued with members sitting on the main stage floor for “No Other” and the tender “From You,” which Leeteuk concluded with a sincere “saranghanda.” This section ended when the members collectively asked the audience the ultimate question: “Why do you love Super Junior?”
Ballads and heartwarming messages
The energy dipped beautifully into an atmosphere of reflection for the ballads “잠들고 싶어 (In My Dream)” and “도로시 (Dorothy).” The staging for “Dorothy” was particularly enchanting, featuring a huge spring tree behind the members, turning the stage into a mystical, romantic forest.
Another playful VCR followed, showcasing the members’ humor as they revisited their old costumes and albums and then transitioned into a short animation featuring Super Junior’s animal characters. True to form, the members emerged in cute costumes after the animation, delighting the fans with vibrant, high-energy performances of “Miracle” and the cheerful “Pajama Party.”
The concert then moved into its absolute peak. The idols reappeared in more casual yet powerful versions of their all-black attire, ready for a sequence of demanding choreography. “It’s time for everyone to stand up!”, which triggers an explosion of energy in the arena. They delivered an unrelenting medley of power tracks: “Me,” “로꾸거 (Rokuko),” “DNA,” “Rockstar,” and “A-chaa.”
Ready for the next mode?
This climax was immediately followed by a VCR where the members are celebrating their 20th anniversary, which served as a bridge to the ultimate finale. “Ready for the next mode?”, cueing up the legendary “Express Mode”—a seamless, rapid-fire segment of their megahits: “Express Mode,” “Mr Simple,” “Bonamana,” “Sorry Sorry,” and “Don’t Don 돈돈.”
The Heartfelt Encore
The encore began after a “Stuck With You” VCR and saw Super Junior return to the stage in blue and white jerseys, looking like triumphant champions– the best description of their standing in the entertainment industry. They performed the classic, sentimental fan song “Marry You” and the aptly named “Full of Happiness.”
The final moments of the show were dedicated to heartfelt farewell messages and joyous birthday celebrations.
Shindong set a warm tone, saying, “I am grateful to all the E.L.F.s who filled this venue, see you soon guys!” The audience spontaneously broke into a birthday song for him, which he happily danced along to.
Ryeowook promised more visits: “Will you still continue to cheer for us even if it is a group or solo? [The fans gladly responded with loud cheer] Thank you, I love you!”
Donghae was celebrated with cheers for his own birthday: “I would like to thank all of you for spending this precious moment and creating memories with us for this 20th anniversary. On our next anniversaries, I want to see you all again. Please continue to love us more and more. I love you.”
Yesung affirmed his gratitude: “I am always grateful that you’ve been giving us this amazing love and I promise to see you all again soon. I’m sure I’m gonna remember all your faces.”
Siwon called the moment “so romantic” after reading the event banner made by the fans that says “SUPER JUNIOR와 함께하는 모든 시간이 언제나 PH E.L.F.의 BEST TIME OF OUR LIVES.” (All the moment PH E.L.F spent with Super Junior is the best time of our lives.) He then gave the audience a “small gift” of words: “Just always remember that you are the most precious person in the world. I love you and bless you.”
Kyuhyun shared how the fans’ energy conquers the fatigue that performers like them felt on-stage during their tours. “You are precious people for me. Last April, I was here for a solo concert, And I actually promised that I’ll be back here with my members and I am glad that I am here with them in front of you. And you know when you are on the stage, there are moments that you get tired and exhausted while you perform. However, seeing you cheer loudly for us, we never get exhausted the whole night… Thank you so much for the love and we promise to be back very soon. Mahal ko kayo.”
Heechul brought his signature humor: “It feels like I am not quite sure when I’ll be back after tonight but as long as I am with my Super Junior members and my E.L.F.s, I promise I will never be missing the opportunity to be back. *money in my pocket.* I love you Philippines, Manila!”
Eunhyuk acknowledged the massive efforts of the Philippine E.L.F.s: “Even if we didn’t personally witnessed everything that you prepared for us, I did followed all the SNS for it. Even the fountain show is really amazing… Please don’t forget that we are always by your side. Did you all had fun tonight? Thank you. I love you.”
Leeteuk delivered the final, touching message, referencing the iconic viral video of the “Sorry Sorry” dancing inmates: “From the Philippines inmates who danced to ‘Sorry Sorry’ and now it happened again… Now we are piling up more and more memories together. Would you still like us even if we are already ‘Ahjussi’s?’ I will still love you even if you are already Ahjummas. Even if you become grandmothers, I will still like you. Because in my eyes, you are still teenagers as you were.”
The entire group concluded with, “Thank you, We love you!” before performing the final, emotional track, “Finale,“ bringing the spectacular Super Show 10 to a close and sealing another unforgettable chapter in Super Junior’s enduring legacy with the Filipino E.L.F.s.
