Heechul's fantastic return
Super Junior's Heechul back after missing 3 shows here due to military service
It was a fantastic return for one of K-pop boyband Super Junior's most popular members.
Heechul, 31, looking dapper with chin-length locks, stole the show yesterday afternoon at Super Show 6, the group's latest concert at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
It was Heechul's first performance in Singapore since January 2011.
He enlisted for South Korea's mandatory military service in September 2011 and was discharged in August 2013.
Unfortunately, that meant he missed being in three live shows here - the band's full-length concerts in 2012 and 2013, and mega music fiesta SMTown Live World Tour in 2012.
In the fast-paced world of K-pop, Heechul's four-year absence had seemed like an eternity for Singaporean fans of the 11-man mega group.
Only eight of them were present at Super Show 6 because three - Yesung, Shindong and Sungmin - are conscripted.
When Heechul took to the stage yesterday, the 8,000-strong mostly-female crowd at the stadium got hysterical, screaming and shrieking.
Known for his flamboyant personality and robust laughter, he showed off his tight drumming skills during the rendition of Super Junior's biggest hit, Sorry, Sorry, as his teammates cheered on "Go Heechul, go Heechul!"
He was also a hoot when each member took turns to greet the audience.
Siwon, 29, the poster boy of the group, joked: "I haven't heard Heechul speak English in a long while.
"You know, Heechul's an English major."
After some egging, Heechul addressed fans in halting, mock-gangster English: "Today, tonight, I will be going to your room, yeah baby."
His fans lapped it up.
ALSO PRESENT
Also present yesterday were Leeteuk, Eunhyuk, Donghae, Kangin, Ryeowook and Kyuhyun.
Charismatic leader Leeteuk, 31, who had returned to showbiz less than a year ago, was in top form.
He enlisted for military service in October 2012 and was discharged in July last year.
Midway through the concert, Leeteuk did a cover of balladeer Huh Gak's Hello, a slow, touching number.
It was a poignant moment as he crooned: "You're the person that used to love me, now I can't touch you."
Leeteuk had lost his father and grandparents in January 2014, when his father allegedly killed his own parents, then committed suicide.
As with previous Super Junior concerts, besides bringing the house down with catchy songs and dynamic showmanship, the boys were not shy to put their comedic side on display.
A long-time local fan, Ms Lim Mei Torng, a teacher in her late 30s, said: "I watched Super Junior 15 times in concert, in Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo and Hong Kong. Yet, I never get tired of them.
"They play around on stage a lot and interact very well with the crowd."
SUPER JUNIOR TAKES ON FROZEN
The dudes of K-pop group Super Junior have readily admitted to being fans of Hollywood animated flick Frozen.
They are so into it that at their concert in Singapore yesterday, they held a Princess Elsa impersonation contest among themselves, resulting in giggles and guffaws from the audience.
Each member came out dressed as a wacky, hilarious version of Elsa.
Eunhyuk was "Elsa Jackson", a cross between Princess Elsa and late pop legend Michael Jackson, Leeteuk wore a shimmering tight dress and called himself "ElSapphire Blue" and Kyuhyun was "Big Elsa", simply because his fake blonde wig was the biggest wig we have ever seen.
Heechul, blatantly defying the rules, impersonated Elsa's younger sister, Princess Anna, instead.
In their female wear, Super Junior jumped around and sang one of their earliest hits, Rokkugo, a bouncy, upbeat track.
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