Super Junior and SMCU's KWANGYA: A hilarious, love-hate saga

KWANGYA is a fantasy world introduced via the newest SM Entertainment group, aespa, but the oldest group, Super Junior, wants no part in it. The concept of SMCU (SM Culture Universe) started with EXO and aespa, but the company soon started adding other SM artists in the mythical world too.

In multiple instances, Super Junior members have expressed their surprise at finding that they’re now a part of a bigger universe - something that never existed during their debut in 2005, and even years after it.

SM Entertainment adds all artists in KWANGYA, but Super Junior and ELFs want nothing to do with it

SM Entertainment gave all groups and major soloists under their labels a representation in SMCU’s KWANGYA - a mythical land meaning “wilderness” in Korean. The concept was teased through SuperM and NCT U’s lyrics in 2020 when they discreetly used words like “kwangya” and “kosmos.”

Through aespa’s unique debut with their AI avatars called “aes” and title track Black Mamba, the SMCU concept’s gate was opened wide.

As each group is given a particular power, Super Junior’s powers are that they can travel freely in space without any limitations, “transcending nationality and boundaries.”

Creating concept stories and universes for artists’ music is a recent phenomenon in K-pop, and Super Junior members proved they’re not made for the complex world-building. At a radio show, when hosts talked about the SM Worldview, which is another name for the SMCU, Super Junior’s Eunhyuk remarked that he has only heard about it, but doesn’t understand it yet.

But upon further questions, he revealed that he knows nothing about it. Meanwhile, fellow member Donghae was with him on the show and thought the world-building concept was only for younger artists. He confidently shared that they’re not in it. Eunhyuk then revealed that they are very much a part of it but don’t understand how it works.

On the other hand, during his solo Vlive for the song Coffee, Kyuhyun was asked about the music universe of Super Junior:

A staff member might have shown a glimpse of Super Junior’s role in the SMCU as he read aloud in the Vlive, and couldn’t help but let out a laugh, reiterating his stance:

Reactions of the Super Junior members are similar to many ELFs (group’s fandom) and other SM artist fans. They believe the company is being a bit too ambitious, trying to force-fit pre-SMCU artists into the timeline by giving them vague characters and roles.

Even for recent SMCU promotions, Super Junior’s leader Leeteuk’s short video of getting an SMCU Express pass drew hilarious reactions too.

Meanwhile, the company will be hosting a free LIVE concert with all SMCU artists on January 1, 1:00 PM KST.

About the author

Afreen has been a K-Pop Content Specialist at Sportskeeda since 2021. She holds a Bachelor's degree in English Literature, along with a Post-Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication. Afreen has over 4+ years of working in various positions including being an entertainment content writer with Pinkvilla’s K-pop division Hallyutalk and CineDope, and as a copywriter at Flying Cursor.

As per Afreen, she loves her work because she gets to write about the things she is obsessed with. Her thorough research and following the two-genuine-source rule of journalism helps her produce the most accurate content, along with helping her be up-to-date with the industry.

Afreen has had the privilege to interview The Rose's frontrunner, WOOSUNG, and LIONESSES, K-pop's first openly LGBTQ+ group. She is a big fan of SEVENTEEN, Stray Kids, BTS, and The Rose for their hard work, sincerity, and the comic relief their shows provide.

When she is off her shift, Afreen explores the streets of Nottingham in the UK, cooks, and listens to new music.

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