SUPERM QUOTES I
Thoughts on SuperM:
“Even though this group is new, we’ve all seen each other since we were younger, we’ve been friends. SHINee was my senior. NCT, WayV, they’re all my juniors. I’m just excited to present this opportunity to the global fanbase, and I really respect our producer for putting this group together. It’s definitely a great joy for me to be a part of this. For us right now, it’s important to work even harder because there are these expectations upon the group. We have to see how each of our individual strengths bounce off of one another and how they will be highlighted in this group. To bring all that together and to help us realize a different kind of potential that couldn’t have been seen before in our respective groups I think is kind of the biggest challenge. There is a slight pressure but it’s not a bad kind of pressure, it’s a good pressure that we can use to push ourselves.” - BAEKHYUN | Billboard
Thoughts on SuperM:
“For me personally, the coming together of this group SuperM itself is kind of like a dream just because our focus is more global. We’re going to do more stuff in the U.S., and that was kind of one of the goals we had as a group. Just in terms of the globalization of K-pop, and even myself, I just have a lot of desire to kind of jump into that market, the global market. Even though K-pop has already been doing well, being more in tune with my US fans and international fanbase... Obviously there are goals that I’ve personally set for myself, not speaking on behalf of the other members, but you know… It could be in terms of doing shows in the U.S. as SuperM or going on the charts in the U.S. Stuff like that that are more measurable goals. But in general, being able to be a part of this, and globalizing K-pop and putting it more on the international pop scene, is a big goal.” - TAEMIN | Billboard
Thoughts on SuperM:
“I’m having a lot of fun working with this team and I get a lot of youthful, young energy working with the younger members. It’s been a lot of fun for me and the rest of the more senior members.” - KAI | Billboard
Thoughts on SuperM:
“Many people know us. All of our fans know each of our members’ strengths from within our respective groups, but now that we’ve come together in SuperM should bring out a kind of dynamic synergy because it’s a totally different environment where we can expand our potentials as individuals.” - TAEYONG | Billboard
Thoughts on SuperM:
“We don’t have a specific goal, but we think with this opportunity we want to enjoy the music, and show the world how much we love music, and make the fans have fun with our stages and music. I want to show the world our unique and distinguishable image and artistic side. I wish we can give the world a positive influence across the world. Each member, we each have different charming points and our colors, the way we love the music. I think people will eventually - if they know us individually, people can eventually relate and fall for us later when they see our upcoming result.” - TEN | Billboard
Thoughts on SuperM:
“Being a part of this group and getting to work with all my seniors makes me want to work that much harder because I see how great they are at what they do. I’m most excited about seeing all seven of us on stage, hearing all of the fans go wild. Just seeing all of the reactions, that’s what we’re working towards now.” - LUCAS | Billboard
Thoughts on SuperM:
“One of the main reasons I was excited about this team was that we all really looked up to these seniors. Sometimes I think to myself, while I’m practicing with them and shoulder to shoulder, ‘Wow, I’m actually dancing [with them]’ or, ‘Wow, I’m actually having a conversation with them.’ ‘Wow, I’m actually in the practice room with the guys I’ve always looked up to.’ That’s always been a moment from me. I feel like I can learn from them as well. I’ve already learned a lot just being with them. I feel like it’s a good give and take for both sides. I feel like this combination itself entertains fans in a new kind of way. I feel like it’s putting all eras together at once, that’s what makes SuperM a very strong and powerful team.” - MARK | Billboard
“I see this as a new challenge. There are a lot of expectations, because even though this is new, each of us comes from a different [popular] group. But there’s this awesome synergy between us.” - BAEKHYUN | Billboard
“Our team (SuperM) is the aces of aces.” - TAEMIN | Billboard
“I don’t want to compare SuperM to any of the other groups at SM, but if I had to describe [what] sets us apart, it’s the performance element. It’s not just dance, but includes vocals and rapping, where each member can showcase his ability and shine in a different way, that maybe they can’t in other groups.” - TAEMIN | Billboard
“We’re doing something futuristic and more advanced than what the world has ever seen.” - MARK | Billboard
“It’s always important to take the next step when people might not expect it. We always try to make that challenge into something great for the fans -- and for us, as well.” - MARK | Billboard
Jeff Benjamin: We’ve heard a lot leading up to SuperM as “the Avengers of K-pop.” In your own words, what is something you feel is unexpected about this group that goes beyond what people know about you already?
“I feel like the combination itself is something people have never expected or thought they would ever see. I think the whole team itself, the assembly of us, is the next step of K-pop. We always thought of that as we prepared. We wanted to take that future step, pave ways for whatever’s yet to come to K-pop. If you come to our showcases, or whatever plans we have ahead of us, you can see the synergy—that itself is unexpected. I think the fans could see something that they never thought they needed before. That feeling of when you see it and realize this is something you could have always vibed to—I feel like that’s part of our job and we’re here to show that wherever we are.” - MARK | Forbes
TAEMIN on BAEKHYUN | Forbes:
“He’s a very, very special vocalist. His vocal is so unique that it has the ability to make a synergy between the members all on its own. We have dance songs and ballad songs, but Baekhyun’s voice plays a very important role. That’s a really important speciality of Baekhyun.”
TAEYONG on LUCAS | Forbes:
“He’s the maknae [Korean for the youngest] of our group in terms of when he debuted, so he has more energy so those kind of elements bring more fun to the experience.”
TEN on TAEMIN | Forbes:
“I always watch my Taemin-hyung [perform], his charm is his movement, but his eye contact is very strong, it’s striking, it sucks you in.”
LUCAS on TEN | Forbes:
“Ten, well, he himself is a charm. [Group laughs] He’s very special in that even in the way he thinks is very charming.”
BAEKHYUN on KAI | Forbes:
“The height, the looks, and his dance skills. Enough said.”
KAI on MARK | Forbes:
“Me being two years younger than Baekhyun is almost a super power in and of itself. [Laughs] But seriously, there are so many things I could say about Mark and if I go on too long we’d never leave. I love his curly hair. He’s very handsome, he’s cute, he’s good at rapping, I almost want to put him on my lap because he’s so cute.”
MARK on TAEYONG | Forbes:
“I see him like every day because he’s on my team, but even though I see him every day, his looks surprise me every time. He looks mad frickin’ good. I think the strongest thing is that he holds a very strong persona and that shows in the performance, in reality as well, and that balances us as a team. He holds a very vital role in every stage of SuperM.”
“I’m honestly constantly learning from these six people how we can best represent SM’s history and show Americans what K-pop is. I’m learning how, through this music industry, to be a vessel for spreading culture, thought, and happiness.” - LUCAS | Refinery29
“Growing up in Canada and being in the West, nobody really knew about K-pop unless they were Korean. To see a Korean group like SuperM that’s so powerful, making an impact on America and sharing their energy and story, and to have Amercian fans come and run to us to see our synergy, is something I’d never thought that I’d see, nevertheless be a part of. I always try to remind myself how lucky I am to bridge two cultures together. It’s a cool moment.” - MARK | Refinery29
“I love what I heard from him (Lee Sooman) yesterday. Be humble, and learn from other people. Don’t put yourself above other people. Then, if you do that, you’ll rise higher without knowing.” - TEN | Refinery29
“K-pop itself is not just a music genre, but a whole cultural phenomenon. It includes fashion, music, and so much more. When other people look at K-pop with a more traditional Western lens, or when people listen to it, it may sound like a combination of all different genres. Although it might sound unfamiliar at first, I think it's in the process of being blended into the mix of U.S. culture. Hopefully, SuperM can also make a contribution.” - TAEMIN | Refinery29
“You always worry the most before the actual thing happens, so I guess I was worried before we came to America. But once I was here, I realized that we’ve all worked so hard. To see everyone learn even the shortest English lines took my worries away.” MARK | The Ringer
“(Kai and Taemin) We’ve known each other for such a long time, there’s nothing new to learn. But if I had to add something… we’ve been friends for such a long time, but we’ve never worked together as artists. We’ve had separate groups and careers, so coming together on the same team like this has changed the way we communicate, because we’re teammates now. We’re not just friends, and we’re not just giving each other advice, but we share the same goal and create team synergy. So that’s something that’s changed with our dynamic.” - KAI | The Ringer
Baekhyun as leader
“My biggest role here within this team is to keep the spirits high, and that’s easy for me—because I’m usually in high spirits myself, and it’s really easy for me to do that with these guys.” - BAEKHYUN | The Ringer
“I’ve been in EXO with Baekhyun for a long time, but before he was just a member. Now, with him as a leader, I definitely see the difference. I can see that he has more sense of responsibility for what he does, and he really goes out of his way to care for each of the members. When it’s hard for us to voice our opinions or complaints, Baekhyun makes sure that everyone’s opinions are relayed, and that everything is communicated. He doesn’t realize he’s good, but I’m 100 percent satisfied with his leadership.” - KAI | The Ringer
“If you know multiple cultures, it’s easier for you to express yourself in performance. You learn more about dancing, singing, and expressing. It makes you grow and mature, I think. You don’t need to care about people’s race. No matter what, you can empathize with them. That’s the most important thing.” - TEN | The Ringer
“Anything can be overcome by music,” Lucas told me in Chinese. “Cultural differences do exist, but music gets rid of all that. I just use music to simplify everything, and I don’t think too much about the differences.” - LUCAS | The Ringer
“I’ve been in SHINee for 10 years, so starting a new team almost felt like getting a different job. I was excited; it felt so fresh, like a new start. To be honest, I thought the project was going to get cancelled when I first heard about it, so SuperM has a special place in my heart.” - TAEMIN
“Each of us saw it as an opportunity, a new challenge, and that helped…” - BAEKHYUN
“It united us.” - TAEYONG
“That’s right. Now, we feel like we’re a family.” - BAEKHYUN | Teen Vogue
Hi SuperM! During your debut showcase back in October you mentioned being nervous. Has the US tour been less nerve-wracking?
“First off, it’s been so great to be back as SuperM to perform in front of all our US fans! We’re having so much fun. It was less nerve-wracking because now we’re a lot more comfortable with each other and had much more time to practice and perform together than we did for the debut showcase.” - TAEYONG | i-D
How was the process of connecting with each other, since you come from different groups but have known each other for years?
“I think all of us were very open to each other, wanting to get closer. Despite already having a senior-junior relationship, we were all open to teaching each other and we had a lot of great conversations. I personally tried to connect to the rest of the guys like an older brother from the neighbourhood. We joke around a lot and have fun together.” - KAI | i-D
What's one thing you learned from each other so far?
“We’ve been learning so much from each other in many different aspects, but if I had to choose one thing, it’s probably music. We all come from distinct music styles, so it’s cool to learn from each other when we’re together. It makes me look forward to every day.” - TEN | i-D
Can you tell us how you prepared for this tour?
“Our preparation time was more limited than we would have liked, so we were very committed those sparse days we got together. We rehearsed in various ways: for example, we built a replica of the stage at a gym to rehearse, and of course we rehearsed at the actual venue as well. The energy was always really good.” - MARK | i-D
What was your first impression of "Jopping", both as a track and as a word?
“The strong SMP [SM's signature genre, a blend of pop, rock, R&B and hip-hop with bold choreography] vibe struck me the most. I could feel how vast the track was just by listening to it, including the depth it held. I honestly believed that it was the right song for SuperM's debut. As for the word, I thought it was a good idea. It fits the energy we wanted to deliver as a message and it felt cool to be introducing the world to a new word of our own.” - MARK | i-D
You all perform solo stages at the concert. Which is your favourite and why?
“Everyone is obviously so amazing, so it’s hard to choose one. But if I really just had to choose, I’d choose Taemin’s solo stage. In just five minutes, he showcases his vocal abilities through “Danger”, then kills it for the choreography and overall performance aspect during “Goodbye”. As I watch him perform, I can’t help but to think that he is one of the most impressive all-around artists out there. I hope to be an artist like that someday.” - TEN | i-D
You guys have clearly launched with a unique strategy. What other innovations do you want to make in the industry?
“It’s been really cool to be given the opportunity to be part of something new and innovative like this. As a team and as individuals, we all want to showcase new and innovative stages and performances to our fans. It’s been a fun journey working together and figuring out how to showcase our styles within our performances on this tour, both as a group and individuals. We hope to continue to bring fresh new ideas as artists who perform on stage.” - TAEYONG | i-D
You all have years of experience behind you, but with SuperM you are technically rookies again. What advice would you give to your younger selves?
“I do think of us as rookies again as SuperM. And the synergy we’re able to create with this specific combination of members makes for a whole new set of charms. If I were able to give advice to my younger self, I’d definitely tell him to continue to work hard, because people will notice you as long as you try your best.” - BAEKHYUN | i-D
Can fans expect another official release from SuperM soon?
“I don't want to give out any spoilers, but we did perform two new songs during the tour already. Fans may already be expecting another comeback and I want to assure them that we are currently working on new things to show our fans. We are trying our best to create something that will meet or maybe even exceed our fans' expectations. Hope they like it.” - MARK | i-D
What are your expectations for 2020?
“Because we’ll be back in the U.S. promoting for the tour, I’m excited about experiencing all the different cultures and famous spots at the different regions we’re headed. And of course I’m so excited to see all our fans there!.” - TAEMIN | i-D
Mark, in NCT 127's recent interview you jokingly said that you came from the future. Now SuperM's tour name is We Are the Future. What does this mean to you?
“I believe that "future" is and has always been the motto and the mindset of everyone at our label. Whatever it may be, we all try to focus on the next step and make plans for what's ahead of us. Our aspiration is to lead the generation through our music and art.” - MARK | i-D
“It felt like re-debuting. The fact that we’re targeting different audiences felt like a new challenge we were all taking on. We’ve grown together, we’ve gained confidence and it gets easier as we see the fans’ reactions. It’s fun; it’s working.” - TAEMIN | Vogue UK
“There are so many different stages and performances at a SuperM concert. You’ll never get to see this chemistry or these members performing together [anywhere else].” - TAEYONG
“The fans have shown so much support, and it pushes me to want to perform to even bigger audiences on an even larger scale.” - TAEMIN | Vogue UK
K-pop is relentlessly accused of being manufactured, with its performers supposedly just going through the motions, but SuperM subvert this idea with a warm spontaneity and rakishness on and off stage. They’re each other’s most fervent cheerleaders and bearers of the most merciless roasts — the atmosphere is more akin to a lads’ holiday than a multimillion-dollar music project. “Thank you for noticing that, natural chemistry. If you saw us [just hanging out] you would get even more of that feeling!” BAEKHYUN | Vogue UK
“When I practised with these guys, the energy I absorbed was actually very interesting. The knowledge and experience is incomparable to anything we [younger members] have. It’s not a competition or anything — it’s something we learn from. Taemin would be the ship’s wheel. He knows the direction we want to go in. The EXO-hyungs [older males] have a lot of talent — they’d be the sail and that’s where we get the boost. NCT and WayV, we’re like the hull, holding the talent [together]. That’s a pretty cool ship.” - MARK | Vogue UK
“I definitely never predicted that K-pop would become so loved by so many all over the world. I’m really thankful for all the artists and groups that worked hard and eventually paved the way for the genre to be where it is today, especially looking at how many fans there are globally and how open people are to different genres and cultures. That in turn pushes us to work even harder. Well, we practice hard… all night long, until we all get the choreography down.” - BAELHYUN | GQ
“It’s our first time touring together as SuperM and the bond has gotten a lot stronger between us as we’ve spent time together. On a regular day, we like to eat together or, if we have time, go out and shop together.” - BAEKHYUN | GQ
WITH YOU - SUPERM