Super Junior, often hailed as one of the pioneers of the Hallyu Wave, revolutionized the K-pop scene not just with their music but by introducing the concept of subunits within the group. This innovative approach set a trend that influenced the entire K-pop industry, inspiring other artists to follow suit. The impact of Super Junior's unit concept has been a significant source of inspiration in the K-pop world.
01: Super Junior-K.R.Y.: Super Junior-K.R.Y., comprising Kyuhyun, Ryeowook, and Yesung, was not just a subunit but a historic milestone in K-pop. K.R.Y. stands as the first-ever K-pop subunit , known for their powerful vocals and harmonies that laid the foundation for Super Junior's pioneering approach to subunits.
02: Super Junior-T: The Cheerful Ensemble Super Junior-T, consisting of Leeteuk, Heechul, Shindong, Sungmin, Kangin, and Eunhyuk, brought a playful and catchy vibe, showcasing a different, more lighthearted side of the group.
03: Super Junior-M: Super Junior-M, featuring Sungmin, Eunhyuk, Siwon, Zhou Mi, Donghae, Ryeowook, Henry, and Kyuhyun, embarked on an international journey, highlighting Super Junior's global appeal and musical versatility.
04: Super Junior-H: Super Junior-H, with members Leeteuk, Yesung, Shindong, Kangin, Sungmin, and Eunhyuk, added fun and energy to the group's repertoire, creating an entertaining subunit that resonated well with the fans.
05: Super Junior-D&E: Super Junior-D&E, the dynamic duo of Donghae and Eunhyuk, brought charisma and skill to their performances, adding a unique flavor to Super Junior's musical spectrum.
Super Junior-LSS: Last but not least, Super Junior-LSS, featuring Leeteuk, Shindong, and Siwon, contributed its distinctive touch to the Super Junior legacy, enriching the group's diverse musical journey.
The influence of Super Junior's unit concept on the K-pop industry is undeniable. Other K-pop groups have taken inspiration from this approach, experimenting with their own subunits to showcase different facets of their artistry. These units symbolize Super Junior's creativity and have left a lasting imprint on the evolving world of K-pop.
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Super Junior has actually been SM's experiment for years. Some of the concept and plans that SM tried on Super Junior were later readapted to other SM groups;
- Group with many members (>7 members) : SNSD, EXO, NCT
- Group promoting only in China : EXO-M, WayV
- Group with non-fixed lineup : NCT U (SuperJunior05 did this concept for a year, the idea was later dropped after Kyuhyun joined the group)
- Vocal Sub-unit (KRY) : TaeTiSeo, CBX