As one of the pioneers of the Hallyu Wave and one of the biggest active idol groups to date, Super Junior is a name all K-Pop fans recognise. After 15 years in the game, they boast a discography with wide range of genres. They are easily one of the most versatile groups in K-Pop, with huge credit to their vocal line: Kyuhyun, Ryeowook, and Yesung collectively known as Super Junior K.R.Y.
More than just being the pillar of Super Junior’s music, Super Junior K.R.Y. is a formidable entity on its own. Super Junior K.R.Y. officially debuted in 2006 as Super Junior’s first sub-unit and quickly became acknowledged with their K-drama OSTs. After years of only appearing through special tracks in Super Junior albums, they are set to release their first ever Korean mini album “When We Were Us” on June 8. It is a long time coming and E.L.F are eager to listen to their newest tracks and also see them performing it live.
We have selected five Super Junior K.R.Y. performances you simply cannot miss. These stages are beloved by E.L.F for various reasons: they showcase K.R.Y.’s prowess, the songs are iconic and beloved, and they signify special memories between K.R.Y. and E.L.F.
The One I Love
This stage marks Super Junior K.R.Y.’s debut on national television. Earlier that year, Super Junior achieved their first win with “U” and the group widely known for their pop music and heavy performance. Being a staple ballad song and the soundtrack to hit drama Hyena, “The One I Love” and its stages introduced the three people that would become Korea’s Ballad Princes. Compared to their more polished stages later on, this stage showcases their raw talents. And a reminder of how far they have grown since then.
Let’s Not
This special stage of “Let’s Not” is a certified fan favourite. This is a song that perfectly captured K.R.Y.’s essence: a mid-tempo song with dominant string and piano sound that features gut-wrenching lyrics about lost love. But the best part of this song is how Ryeowook’s high tone, Yesung’s lower register, and Kyuhyun’s warm timbre complement each other very well. The song allows each member to show their musical strength, but ensure that their sound would not overwhelm each other.
Memories
Originally a Super Junior B-side from their fifth album “Mr. Simple”, “Memories” has been appropriated by K.R.Y. as their own. In this stage, we can hear just how polished their vocals have become. A perfect example of the skillful and high quality performance the trio is known for by now. With a lyrics that many E.L.F dubbed as a representation of their own longing towards the members they are missing due to various circumstances, this is a stage that would require tissues to watch. Seriously. On a scale of 1 to 10, this stage’s tear-jerking capacity is on 13.
From U
K.R.Y. and ballad might be synonymous by now but ballads are not the only genre the trio excel at. Super Junior’s comeback stage in 2012 gave us the blessing that is K.R.Y performing R&B infused upbeat track “From U”. Fellow member Eunhyuk raps and the other Super Junior members dance as K.R.Y. croons this cheese-laden song. This is definitely a stage to watch if you want to smile! Or, you know, the perfect antidote to the sorrow caused by the previous performance on this list.
Is it Love?
In this special stage, they join forces with indie artist Park Sae Byul to perform her song “Is it Love?”. It is a lighthearted performance that shows us K.R.Y.’s sweet side. In this stage, Yesung and Kyuhyun’s heavier tones complement Ryeowook and Park Sae Byul’s higher registers to create a balanced harmony that pampers your ears. The stripped down instrumental only serves to highlight their vocal artistry even more, making it simply hard not to fall in love with their voices.
These five stages are just some of the countless performances K.R.Y put out for the last 14 years. Though they lean heavily towards ballads, they have proved their versatility by exploring other genres. With a new mini album on the horizon, it will be interesting to see what other performances they will show in the future.
What kind of stages do you hope to see from K.R.Y in the future? Is it similar to this list or are you hoping for something fresh from K.R.Y.?
Keep up with Super Junior K.R.Y. by following the group’s official social media accounts, and stay tuned for the release of their mini album on June 8!
Written By: Erlita Putranti
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