Surprise drops don’t really exist in K-pop, but Super Junior’s Show Time is as close as we get. Teased only days ago, the digital single arrives without much build-up. It’s their first group comeback since 2022, though the individual members and sub-units have been active more recently.
Show Time feels tailor-made for live performances. Its big, celebratory energy pulls no punches, casting the group as leaders of the party. It takes an old-school funk approach, melding nimble rhythm guitar to bombastic vocals and groovy percussion. This sound can sometimes feel like pastiche, and Show Time flirts with that here and there. It’s at its best when playing things straight, attacking the track with power and keeping momentum high. I could do without some of the droning sing-talk in verse two and the spoken post-chorus, but Show Time‘s splashy centerpiece packs plenty of punch.
With this said, I can’t shake the feeling that I should love Show Time more than I do. After all, funk pop is a sweet spot for me and SM artists are particularly great at delivering it. The song is a rollicking good time, yet the melodies don’t quite hit me the way I wish they did. Perhaps it just needs more listens or the benefit of a live performance. Either way, it’s great to hear Super Junior back in such upbeat, fun-loving form.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8.25 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
I feel the same, but I liked it a little less than you. I’m getting a bit weary of funky songs with NO BASS and no GROOVE. It’s performed fantastically, but it’s pretty slight.
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This is the Superest Super Junior Super Show super song ever. They have this down to a science, how long each section takes, what kinds of funny funky dance moves to drop when, and when and where and how they will walk from one side of the stage to the other. The music is all real instruments and playable by a real band.
I’d rank in above average in its class of the “Super Show song of This Year”, because it sounds “Black Suit” adjacent, and Black Suit is the super underrated back catalog song of SuJu ever. My highest rated Super Show songs have extra camp and kitsch, which this one lacks.
Score is a tick or two higher for me because Bias.
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For the kids here, my favorite Super Show song, kitsch in spades. I mean wow. wow wow. Also choo choo train. Note this is the Japanese version just for the Japan shows. The benefits of singing love live is not needing a backing track and just singing the language of the week. I fully expect today’s song to have a Japanese version in time too. Oh and Heechul is here today, so lets give him a line or two too, just like that.
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This was pretty lackluster.
Song could’ve used more work.
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Usually I will be picky when it comes to choosing favourite music. But recently, I felt as long as my favourite 2nd generation groups are coming back, I feel I am lucky enough to listen to it. In this era where anything can happen in the blink of an eye, I decided to just treasure it and appreciate their efforts in coming together to make it happen
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Hmmm….I wasn’t sure how I felt about it in the beginning – maybe empty? However, as the song was coming to an end, I was feeling something. Maybe needs a few listens or a live version as mentioned.
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