TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Throngs of enthusiastic fans converged at Kaohsiung International Airport (小港機場) on Friday (April 18) to greet arriving members of Super Junior, one of South Korea's most enduring and influential K-pop groups. The performers traveled to Taiwan to participate in the prestigious 20th KKBOX Music Awards (第20屆 KKBOX 風雲榜), a major annual celebration of Asian popular music.
Two specialized sub-units of the larger ensemble – Super Junior-D&E and Super Junior-L.S.S. – are scheduled to perform at the ceremony on Saturday at Kaohsiung Arena (高雄巨蛋), a major indoor stadium in Taiwan's southern metropolis. The appearance fulfills a commitment the artists previously made to their Taiwanese fan base. For Super Junior-D&E, this marks a swift return to the same venue where they held a concert just three months earlier in January, now attending as international guests to enhance the high-profile awards celebration.
The arrival scene at the airport showcased the group's warm relationship with their fans. Member Donghae (東海) accepted letters from admirers with visible appreciation, while Siwon (始源) connected with supporters through friendly fist bumps. Group leader Leeteuk (利特) documented the enthusiastic reception by filming the scene with a GoPro camera. Prior to boarding their flight at South Korea's Incheon Airport, observant fans had spotted Donghae traveling with Leeteuk, Siwon, and Shindong (神童), alongside another member, Ryeowook (厲旭), who was already in Taiwan participating in the National High School Games. Taiwanese fans joyfully remarked on social media about the near-complete assembly of the group in their country.
Recent controversy has followed member Shindong, who encountered criticism after playfully teasing fellow member Eunhyuk during an episode of the Korean variety program "Dolsing Fourmen" (脫掉鞋子恢單4Men). The interaction provoked displeasure among Eunhyuk's dedicated fans, compelling Shindong to release a seven-minute video apology addressing the situation. At Kaohsiung Airport, supportive fans displayed specially created banners expressing solidarity with Shindong. Despite this minor controversy, anticipation remains high for Saturday's KKBOX Music Awards, where attendees will witness performances by these veteran K-pop entertainers who have maintained their popularity for nearly two decades. ★
