Members of Super Junior pose for photo at a news conference for their new album in Seoul, Tuesday. Lee Sang-sub/The Korea Herald
Hallyu star group Super Junior has returned with their sixth full-length album “Sexy, Free & Single” with member Kangin rejoining the group after serving his military service.
Known to many as Asia’s “Emperor Gwanggaeto,” Super Junior said they sought a new music style in their latest album, escaping from the repeated acid funky style in their previous work and trying out European house.
“We have been singing similar songs from our third to fifth album. We wanted to do something new and change our music and dance style in this album. And we are quite happy about it,” group leader Lee Teuk told reporters at a press conference held at a hotel in Seoul on Tuesday. Their new album drew international attention with reporters from China, Japan and Kazakhstan attending the conference.
Their title single “Sexy, Free & Single,” composed and arranged by Danish songwriters Daniel “Obi” Klein, Thomas Sardorf and Lasse Lindorff, tells the story of themselves ― ten men enjoying top-star status all over Asia and the single life.
Several renowned choreographers including Devin Jamieson, who worked with Michael Jackson and Lyle Beniga, also worked on the group’s new album.
“We really worked so hard to show a different dance style by adding more groove. I think it will look sexier than before,” Lee added.
The new album also celebrated Kangin’s comeback, who left the group for almost three years. The 27-year-old star spent some time of self-reflection after he was indicted by the police for assault and drunk-driving. He volunteered to enroll in the military after that.
“In the army I learned a lot more about myself and was disappointed at my bad habits. I missed my good years on the stage and I really wanted to comeback. I feel nervous rather than being excited now,” Kangin told reporters.
Super Junior has been proving their star power in and out of the country after its debut in 2005. Their fifth album “Mr. Simple” dominated the country’s music charts and won numerous awards late last year. The group sold a half million copies last year in Korea, marking a new record in the country’s music market that has been suffering from the recession.
By Cho Chung-un
(christory@heraldcorp.com)