As K-pop royalty, Super Junior has not only delivered some of the most unforgettable smashing musical hits that melophiles continue to groove to nearly even two decades down the line, but also stayed true to their promises to stick it out with their fans. Having debuted in late 2005, the SM Entertainment flagship boy group kicked off its 20th anniversary celebrations in March with 9 active members: Leeteuk, Heechul, Yesung, Shindong, Eunhyuk, Siwon, Donghae, Ryeowook, and Kyuhyun.
The acclaimed K-pop veterans continue to spark the Hallyu Wave with effervescent and bubbly goofiness, promising their fans (called E.L.F. — Ever Lasting Friends) a never-ending supply of happiness. As a gift that keeps giving, Prime Video India’s new add-on subscription channel is dedicated to bringing Korean entertainment closer to the Indian audience. Channel K launched SuJu’s latest variety show, Woke Up to SuperTV, in March. Marking the idol group’s unmissable reunion, the 10-episode show filled with classic Super Junior wit and shenanigans has the variety gods blessing the “no-holds-barred variety madness.”
In an exclusive interview with FinancialExpress.com, Super Junior members opened up about their experience and memories of filming their rib-tickling reality show, Woke Up to SuperTV. As senior artists in the K-pop industry, the beloved singers also revealed what still being in the musical game after all these years means to them, and how their connection with India has deepened more than ever.
Super Junior Interview: Woke Up to SuperTV
From Super TV to SJ Returns, the King of Variety Show idols have participated in one too many variety-reality shows since their early 2000s debut. And so, evidently, the K-pop stars have fond memories tied to all of them, one way or another.
Heechul shared his own: “The shoot where we all went to the Munmak training center for an MT (retreat) stands out the most to me. Really… I gave it everything I had. (I did the Drip stage and totally collapsed from exhaustion).” Meanwhile, Shindong looked back to the filming days of their latest show, recalling, “The moment that stands out most for me was when all the members rode the bus together to the next filming location. We laughed and joked around just like a school trip. I think moments like that are the true charm of this show.”
Detailing charismatic takeaways from Woke Up to SuperTV, he added, “What I want to show through this program is just how much we love our fans and how close we feel to them. And also, Super Junior is still a fun and warm team!”
As senior artists in the K-pop game for the long haul
Yesung revealed that he manages to bridge the gap between the seriousness of being a veteran K-pop player and still keeping things light so that he can enjoy his work after all these years because of how much he loves music. He further divulged that the affinity for his art has allowed him to always keep challenging himself to try new things.
Given the group’s esteemed position in the industry, one can’t help but wonder how the admired SM Entertainment idols shoulder the responsibility of guiding younger artists in the same music race as them. A nostalgic Eunhyuk recounted, “As time goes on, I think the moments I spend with the members and our fans right now will be the brightest and most beautiful days of my life.” As for what he advises his juniors, he shared, “I always tell them: treasure this time now.”
Currently, the K-pop scene is defined by a heavy influx of new group debuts. With each month introducing new faces and talents, Kyuhyun divulged that seeing rookie groups dot the Hallyu landscape filled him with pride. “Just like I dreamed of becoming a singer as a child after watching my seniors, I’m happy that so many of our juniors are now dreaming the same dream thanks to all their seniors,” he confessed. While it’s still up for debate whether these endless debuts per month will be sustainable in the long run, the Single’s Inferno MC seemed to think the trend will continue to define the K-pop calendar in the years to come.
Staying together even after two decades
K-pop fans often fear if their favourites can stick in the music biz for the long haul. Super Junior positively squashed those concerns despite facing its own share of ups and downs in their historic 20-year musical trajectory. Now that they’ve stood the test of time, the group’s leader Leeteuk opened up about what this meant to him and his bandmates. Without beating around the bush, he affirmed that it was a clear indication of the “precious time that E.L.F. and we have endured and gotten through together.”
Super Junior’s Indian connection
Years ago, SJ’s Kyuhyun stole the spotlight as part of a group of Korean stars visiting India to explore K-pop’s popularity in the country through a travel reality show called Fluttering India. Cut to 2025, all active members of Super Junior have won over the South Asian country with their Bollywood moves, all thanks to Channel K. Filming an introductory message for the OTT K-entertainment hub in India in light of Woke Up to SuperTV’s premiere, SuJu singers shared heartwarming messages in Indian languages, including Hindi and Malayalam.
In another video promoting their new reality series in India, the members busted a move to the iconic Bollywood romantic tunes of “You Are My Soniya,” a banging hit from the ever-so-loved Hindi blockbuster Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. The reel, originally shared via Channel K’s socials, and widely circulated otherwise on SNS, ultimately went viral, inspiring jaw-dropping reactions among the Indian audience.
Super Junior (@SJofficial) is my Soniya.
The legends are in on the trend, and it’s giving total Bollywood x K-pop crossover vibes!Watch ‘Woke up to SuperTV’ NOW
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on @imxchannelk via @PrimeVideoIn! And Catch NEW episodes every Saturday!#SUPERJUNIOR… pic.twitter.com/MyFIoYX1c7— Channel K (@imxchannelk) April 30, 2025
Answering FE’s question about their understanding of the audience in the South Asian subcontinent, Shindong said, “I’ve always felt K-pop was globally popular, but the growth in India is truly incredible.” Recounting how they almost never got to meet their Indian fans in person when they first started out, he admitted social media and their other entertaining content brought them strengthened their connection with the fellow Asian homeland.
India not just an important K-pop market, but a partner: Super Junior
“Being able to have Woke Up to SuperTV airing in India through Channel K is both a new challenge and an exciting opportunity for us,” said Shindong. “Now, India doesn’t just feel like an important K-pop market—it feels more like a partner we’re growing alongside. What I want to show through this program is just how much we love our fans and how close we feel to them.”
Given their global status, I had to ask if the passion of a particular country’s fans stood out to them. Kyuhyun declined to play the favourite card, saying, “If I name one country where the fans were especially passionate, the others might get jealous—so I can’t say!”
Sending out a final message to their beloved Indian E.L.Fs, Siwon thanked their ardent supporters for joining Super Junior on this long road. “We’ve come this far thanks to you,” he expressed gratitude, adding, “Now it feels like we can finally meet in person, so let’s go even farther together. Hope is not over yet. Thank you. Please look forward to it.”
Woke Up To SuperTV is now streaming on Channel K. Catch the 10-episode series here: