Super

"Super" (Korean title: 손오공, Son O-gong) is a powerful anthem of perseverance, collective strength, and endless growth, using the legendary figure of Sun Wukong (the Monkey King) from the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West as its central metaphor. The song equates SEVENTEEN's own journey—from their trainee days to their current success—with Sun Wukong's evolution and persistent overcoming of challenges. It speaks to how the group has fought their way through hardships, supported by each other and their fandom, CARATs, to constantly reach new heights. Member Woozi described the song as SEVENTEEN's answer to the question of how they fight for their lives, showcasing their journey and the support that propels them forward. The lyrics emphasize themes of having a strong will, never giving up even when faced with exhaustion, and the idea that the future is in one's own hands. It's a declaration of their confidence and a celebration of their identity as a self-producing group that has overcome odds together, encapsulated in the recurring line, "I love my team, I love my crew".

The narrative begins with a reflection on a relentless climb to the top, looking down from the summit after overcoming countless trials. The journey was arduous, but victory was a constant companion, fueled by an unbreakable spirit. The future isn't something that runs away; it's something one must hold onto firmly. A recurring chant builds momentum, describing the act of riding on a cloud, traveling far and wide to elevate a collective sense of pride and advance towards a new world, all driven by an infectious rhythm.

This journey is likened to the heroic spirit seen in classic tales, an attitude that transcends the normal constraints of time and space. Even when completely exhausted to the point of collapse, the spirit remains indomitable, running wild without ever knowing the meaning of surrender. This relentless drive culminates in a powerful transformation, a feeling of becoming the legendary Monkey King, Sun Wukong. This transformation symbolizes reaching a new peak of power and endurance. The group declares they will never rest, pushing forward every day until they reach their ultimate goal, embodying the endless energy of their mythical counterpart.

A crucial element of this journey is the unwavering bond of the team. The lyrics express profound love and gratitude for the 'team' and 'crew'. It's because of this collective support that they've been able to run this far and can continue to push even further. This mutual reliance is the foundation of their strength, the very reason they can achieve this superhuman, Wukong-like state. They announce their presence, continuing to revolutionize their era, constantly moving forward even if they stumble. They metaphorically summon their own 'flying cloud' and diligently continue their 'training'.

The imagery of Sun Wukong is invoked directly, with references to his signature weapon, the Ruyi Jingu Bang ('power pole'), extending up to the sky. Their daily existence is a cycle of coming and going, always advancing for the sake of their collective goal, powered by the song itself. The transformation is not just a feeling but a mode of being. The song's energy is described as a powerful blast, an 'ener-energy' that's been gathered and is now being unleashed in a massive shot. They call for everyone to aim their cries to the sky, a collective release of power. The song concludes by framing this entire epic story as the 'credits song' of a cartoon, solidifying its status as a modern myth or a legendary tale of heroism and teamwork.

"Super" was released on April 24, 2023, as one of two lead singles from SEVENTEEN's tenth mini-album, FML. The song was primarily created by SEVENTEEN's own members, reinforcing their reputation as a 'self-producing' idol group. The lyrics were written by members Woozi, S.Coups, and Vernon, alongside their long-time collaborator BUMZU. The composition was handled by Woozi, BUMZU, and August Rigo. According to Woozi, the song was created during a time when the members were not in a good emotional space, following their Face the Sun and Sector 17 albums. He wrote "Super" with the intention of giving strength to his fellow members, wanting them to feel like heroes who could overcome the difficult circumstances they were facing. The song's concept, drawing from the powerful figure of Sun Wukong, was chosen to channel this feeling of resilience and strength. The massive-scale music video, featuring over 228 backup dancers, was directed by Oui Kim, with choreography by Yoon Hyelim and Choi Young-joon, designed to reflect the song's epic and powerful energy.

"Super" employs a dynamic and powerful rhythmic structure that is central to its anthemic quality. The song's foundation is a fast-paced Jersey club rhythm, which provides a relentless, driving beat that encourages movement and creates a high-energy atmosphere. The tempo is consistently upbeat at 137 BPM, maintaining a sense of urgency and momentum throughout the track. The lyrical delivery is tightly synchronized with this rhythm, with rap verses often featuring intricate, percussive flows that accentuate the beat. The pre-chorus builds tension by slightly pulling back before launching into the explosive, chant-heavy chorus. The rhyme scheme is not strictly formal, leaning more towards a free verse style interspersed with strong internal and end rhymes in the rap sections to create impact and flow. The interplay between the driving musical rhythm and the varied vocal rhythms—from the rapid-fire raps of S.Coups and Vernon to the smoother melodic lines of the vocalists—creates a rich, textured soundscape that is both complex and incredibly catchy.

Musically, "Super" is built on an alternative Jersey club beat, characterized by its distinct, driving kick rhythms and a fast tempo of 137 beats per minute. The track is layered with powerful synths, creating an intense and euphoric build-up that leads to a memorable 'popping drop'. This high-energy electronic soundscape provides a backdrop for the members' diverse vocal performances, which shift seamlessly between powerful rap verses and melodic singing, ensuring a dynamic listening experience.

Lyrically, the song employs strong, declarative statements that build a sense of confidence and power (e.g., "I always win"). It uses a simple but effective narrative structure, chronicling a journey of struggle, perseverance, and ultimate triumph. The use of the onomatopoeic chant "Da-rum-da-rim-da" acts as a rhythmic hook, creating a primal, chant-like energy that is highly memorable and engaging. Repetition is a key technique, especially in the chorus and the post-chorus chant of "I love my team, I love my crew," which drills the central message of collective strength into the listener's mind. The song also frames its narrative as an epic tale by concluding with the line, "이 노래는 만화의 엔딩 송이다" ("This song is the cartoon's credits song"), a meta-commentary that solidifies its legendary, story-like quality.

"Super" was a major commercial and critical success, significantly bolstering SEVENTEEN's global recognition. As a lead single from the album FML, it played a crucial role in the album's historic success; FML became the best-selling album of 2023 globally according to the IFPI. The song performed exceptionally well on charts, becoming SEVENTEEN's first entry on the Billboard Global 200's top 40 and peaking at number three on South Korea's Circle Digital Chart. Its music video, celebrated for its massive scale and intricate choreography featuring over 200 dancers, surpassed 100 million views on YouTube within months of its release. Critically, "Super" was widely acclaimed. Rolling Stone ranked it number 47 on their list of the 100 best songs of 2023, calling it a "victory-lap single". It was also highlighted by publications like Grammy and Business Insider as one of the best K-pop songs of the year. The song solidified SEVENTEEN's image as top-tier performers and cemented their status as a leading act in the global music scene.

The dominant symbolism in "Super" is the figure of Sun Wukong (손오공), the Monkey King. This character, from the 16th-century Chinese novel Journey to the West, is known for his immense power, rebellious spirit, and perseverance through a long and arduous journey. The song uses this as a multi-layered metaphor:

• Overcoming Adversity: Sun Wukong faces 72 tribulations. SEVENTEEN channels this to represent their own struggles and journey in the competitive K-pop industry, consistently winning against the odds ("많은 시련은 보란 듯이, I always win" / "I faced many trials as if to show off, I always win").
• Growth and Transformation: The repeated line, "마치 된 것 같아 손오공" ("Feels like I've become Son O-gong"), signifies a state of transformation and reaching a higher level of power and capability, much like Sun Wukong achieves new powers through his trials.
• Mythological Imagery: The lyrics are filled with direct references to Sun Wukong's abilities and artifacts, such as the flying cloud (근두운, Geundoun) and his size-shifting staff (여의봉, Yeouibong). These are metaphors for the group's ambition, reach, and adaptability. For instance, "늘어나라 하늘로 여의봉" ("Rise way up to the sky, power pole") symbolizes their ever-expanding goals.
• Dual Inspiration: The song also draws inspiration from Son Goku of the Dragon Ball series, who is himself based on Sun Wukong. References like gathering "ener-energy" for a "massive shot" are clear allusions to Goku's signature moves like the Kamehameha, blending ancient mythology with modern pop culture. The choreography even includes a gesture mimicking Goku's Instant Transmission move.

Several key phrases and motifs are repeated throughout "Super" to reinforce its central themes:

• "마치 된 것 같아 손오공" ("Feels like I've become Son O-gong"): This is the song's core declaration, appearing in every chorus. Its repetition signifies the achievement of a powerful, resilient state born from struggle, directly tying the group's identity to the legendary Monkey King.
• "I love my team, I love my crew": Chanted in the post-chorus, this phrase is the emotional anchor of the song. It emphasizes that their strength is not individual but collective. Its repetition serves as a powerful affirmation of their bond and mutual reliance, a cornerstone of SEVENTEEN's identity.
• "Da-rum-da-rim-da": This onomatopoeic chant appears in the refrains and acts as a primal, energetic hook. It doesn't have a literal meaning but serves to build hype and momentum, creating a memorable, sing-along moment that evokes the feeling of a powerful march or ritual.
• Cloud and Staff Imagery: The motifs of the flying cloud ("근두운", Geundoun) and the magical staff ("여의봉", Yeouibong) are lyrical touchstones that directly reference Sun Wukong's mythology. They recur to symbolize ambition, freedom of movement, and limitless potential.