Editor : Monica Suk
"Sexy, Free & Single" teaser images of Ryeowook (left), Sungmin (center) and Leeteuk (right) [SM Entertainment]
You've been receiving the outpouring love of Taiwanese fans. Why do you think Taiwanese people are attracted to Super Junior?Leeteuk: I think it was because we were living in Taiwan for a short period during our promotional period there. Ryeowook: We were in Taiwan for three to four months last year. People have told us that we're familiar though we're Koreans. Learning language was another merit and our songs are easy to sing along. I guess these elements mixed well and worked for us (to earn popularity). And people were watching our concerts and Korean variety shows on YouTube. So that also helped us to gain the honor of 100 straight week win.What are the biggest worries you have these days?Sungmin: I guess it varies from person to person. For me, I worry a lot about my future. As the members all have their own worries, we chat (to get rid of stress). The uncertainty of the future; what I should do from now on; what I'm really good at; how people see me and so on. I have many concerns about my life and I haven't found the answers to them. I'm good at a little bit of this and a little bit of that, but nothing particular. Ryeowook: I made my debut when I was 19 and now me and my friends are either 26 or 27. We're at the point of our lives when we start to become part of the society. Me and other members debuted around 19 and 20, and I feel we've kept that mindset we had at the beginning of our career. As celebrities, we've gained success, fame and wealth, but at some point, I began to question myself whether I'm a mature human being. The members all have helped me when I was tormented by the thoughts. Sungming: Because our age is all a year apart from each other, we share common grounds. When someone talks about problems he's going through, the other members are like, 'I had that last year!' We're walking up the road together.Leeteuk: The biggest worry for me these days is...waking up early in the morning (laugh). (Back to the story,) I think we were able to work hard because we all had the uncertainty about the future. Working hard in our 20s will pay off in our 30s. I was blue and depressed at the early days of our debut but later I thought everything in my mind. Overcoming that stage has made my personality brighter and even influenced people around me.Do you have any foreign artists or groups you'd like to collaborate with?Leeteuk: AKB48 [Japanese girl group] (laugh). Why? Uhm... They have many members in their group and we're ten.Sungmin: I think he has a different purpose (laugh).What's your key in keeping the team together?Leeteuk: It's out teamwork that has made everything possible. I don't know about other idol groups, but we fought a lot and went through a slew of (good and bad) events together. Those all have allowed us to create stronger bond. If we weren't desperate and had much (wealth) in our hands, then it wouldn't have lasted this long. Each member was desperate to succeed (as singers) and we were able to bring out more powerful teamwork when going through difficult times. Ryeowook: It's been seven to eight years and we've faced a countless number of problems. I was going through a slump last year and Leeteuk helped me. Because we have many members in our team, at least one person is there to help the other. Leeteuk: We all know how to enjoy the moment. A genius can't win a desperate one and a desperate one can't win someone who knows how to savor and appreciate things. Sungmin: Every member in our group is pure in mind. No one in Super Junior is difficult to get along with.※ Any copying, republication or redistribution of 10Asia's content is expressly prohibited without prior consent of 10Asia. Copyright infringement is subject to criminal and civil penalties.10 아시아 Editor : Monica Suk monicasuk@<ⓒ즐거움의 공장 "10 아시아" (10.asiae.co.kr) 무단전재 배포금지>