[Event Coverage] Super Junior rocks KL with Super Show Spin-off: Halftime

“I’m looking for a wife, perhaps she could be here (in Malaysia),” said Shindong, to the screams of the audience during Super Junior’s Super Show Spin-Off: Halftime, which delighted Malaysian Elfs for over two hours on Saturday 2 August.

The 2nd generation idols last visited Malaysia as a group in 2022 during their Super Show 9: Road, while members Donghae, Eunkyuk and Kyuhyun have come for their unit (D&E) and solo concerts in 2023, so it was no surprise that Malaysian Elfs had started queuing outside the Axiata Arena in the morning, to ensure they stood closer to their idols or to trade items with other fans.

After an introduction by famed MC Kang Hodong, the set list during Super Show Spin-Off: Halftime was a mix of old classics to their newer releases, as well as impressive ‘covers’ of their own unit songs, with the members mixing up their formations. Member Heechul did not take part this time but a video at the end of the concert showed him asking the members to wait for him for their next tour!

Super Junior kicked things off with their latest release Showtime, the perfect opening to the concert. This was followed by the upbeat Wonder Boy, which was the theme song for their 2007 movie ‘Attack on the Pin-Up Boys’ – what a throwback! Next was 2006’s Dancing Out, which was a great choice considering the music video was filmed in Kuala Lumpur, at KLCC, Putrajaya and Bukit Bintang!

The members talked about how surreal it was to be back years later, with leader Leeteuk remarking that many things had changed in Malaysia during the time and the city has grown.

From there it was time for Runaway, then it was time for a video, where SHINee’s Minho appeared in a museum filled with treasures, explaining the concept of the multiverse and ‘What If?’ Super Junior’s comedic and chaotic energy was still apparent in their three ‘What If?’ scenarios to introduce their ‘new’ unit groups. Super Junior D&E became Super Junior L.E.D as Leeteuk joined Donghae and Eunhyuk to perform the slick Suit Up, originally by Leeteuk, Shindong and Siwon (LSS).

The Marvel multiverse parody continued after Minho asked the question “What if Kyuhyun had bought ice cream for Ryeowook?”, with Shindong impressing the audience as he, Yesung and Kyuhyun became Super Junior S.K.Y, singing Super Junior K.R.Y’s ballad Let’s Not.

The final parody revealed Siwon and Ryeowook as the final unit, covering D&E’s thrilling Danger.

After a hilarious video where a new ‘law’ was introduced by comedian Lee Soo Geun, saying artists with solo songs had to share the profit with their whole group with comments from the K.R.Y members and a happy Leeteuk, it was time for a change of pace. Everyone’s amazing vocals were showcased in a medley of ballads by the whole group, originally the solo songs of individual members, starting with Yesung’s It Has to Be You, followed by Kyuhyun’s megahit At Gwanghwamun and finally Ryeowook’s emotional Little Prince, before a group cover of Super Junior K.R.Y’s The One I Love.

Next was a dynamic cover of their hoobaes RIIZE’s hit Get a Guitar by Leeteuk Donghae and Yesung, before Donghae, Shindong, Eunhyuk, Ryeowook and Kyuhyun bounced around the stage to New Jeans’s crowd-pleasing Hype Boy.

In true James Bond fashion the suave Siwon walked onstage in a suit to introduce SPY, pretending to shoot the audience…  With a finger heart! The drama continued with a frenetic performance of Opera, before slowing it down a little with the sweet Lovely Day and their dedication to their fans, From U.

Devil had everyone singing along as did the energetic Black Suit, with Super Junior’s vocals and dancing showing just why they’ve last so long in the industry. Fans went wild as the introduction to their remix of A Man in Love (who remembers their iconic Don’t Don album) started, with Elfs waving their blue lightsticks as the members hit the stage.

It wouldn’t be a Super Junior concert without their most iconic hit, Sorry Sorry, which had absolutely everyone in the packed arena singing along (and dancing in some cases). As the members bid the audience farewell, promising to return next year (D&E have already announced their concert in January 2025) they ended with their final encore song, Believe.

Throughout the night they kept the audience engaged, bounding around the stage to greet Elf and some lucky fans getting to touch Donghae as he knelt down to shake their hands. They cracked jokes about their age – Leeteuk said too many people have joked that they should be called Super Senior instead, Siwon gave a mini-speech on love, and generally ensured everyone had an unforgettable time.

We can’t wait to see them back in KL next year!