CAUTION: Very long. Make sure you have some time to spare because it’s around 12-15 paragraphs.

But I would really appreciate it if you read ><

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I was planning on waiting until the 6th to write this letter… But I just watched Zhoumi’s I Will Always Love You performance (still listening to it) and I’m extremely emotional right now… That’s always the best time to write, right? It’s when all of your true feelings and emotions come out; when your words flow easily. So here I am. About to pour my heart out.

And I know that it’s the anniversary of the 12 boys but I am writing this, including all 15. Because 13+2=1 and you can’t divide one. I know Henry, Kyuhyun, and Zhoumi are just as proud, even if they may not have been there back in 2005. They’ve been through just as much, if not more, and deserve to celebrate this fantastic day.

I cannot believe we’re at the 5 year mark already. Seriously. 5 whole years. It may not seem a lot in western culture but we all know that in KPOP, that is huge. 5 years of being together on stage. 5 years of performing for your ELF to see. 5 years of being a family in front of all of us, even though we know your friendship runs much longer and deeper.

I know that I may not have been a fan from the beginning. In fact, I wasn’t even a fan in 2006. It wasn’t until 2007 that I first heard your music, yet I didn’t commit to being your Everlasting Friend until 2009. I regret it so much. There’s so much that I wasn’t there for… So much that I didn’t directly experience with you… But that doesn’t change the fact that I love you boys more than anything and that I’m extremely proud of how far you’ve come.

When you first debuted, as the squishy group of boys that we all know and love, dancing to Twins… The hairstyles, the dancing, the singing. Everything was adorable, even though you were trying to go hard. It’s odd looking back at those 12 boys and thinking that you’re the same people. You’ve all grown so much… You’re still cute but now, so much more mature. Everything has improved. You’ve become stronger, and you’ve truly become men…

I don’t see how you could not, though. The amount of pain you’ve had to go through as a whole, is more than any one group of people should have to go through. Donghae’s father passing away… I know a lot of us can relate to that. A lot of us have had people who we are close with suddenly vanish from our lives, and that’s why his tears affect me more than anyone else’s. The car accidents… Both the one with Heechul and the one with Shindong, Eunhyuk, Leeteuk, and Kyuhyun. Even just talking about these two events breaks any ELF down. They’re very tough things to think about. I know for sure that thinking about Heechul, how he laid there, trying so hard to stay conscious for fear of being embarrassed, that he almost severed his tongue… It makes me cry. I can’t imagine how much pain he must’ve been in, but he didn’t want to ruin his image for Super Junior. He didn’t want to show that he was weak, even though in a situation like that, it would’ve been perfectly okay. He is such a strong person. 

And of course. THE accident. The one that absolutely no one even wants to talk about because it brings back painful memories. The night that we almost lost our baby Kyu… I wasn’t an ELF during the accident but even just watching old videos is extremely hard to bear. I can’t imagine what Suju would have been like without his precious smile, his snarky attitude, his beautiful voice… He had a very slim chance of surviving but I know we’re all so glad he did. He is truly a blessing… I can’t even write any more about this because my tears are falling just thinking about it. But that was by far the hardest event for you boys and ELF to face. We all know how much you worried about him and your videos and words have shown that. But we made it through together. 

But beyond physical pain, you’ve also gone through a lot of emotional pain. Only13’s specifically. I won’t write a whole lot about this simply because we all know how I feel when it comes to this issue. But I am so so so very proud of Zhoumi and Henry. Even though they’ve been booed, they’ve sang on stage while the audience was silent, they’ve waited for an applause when none came, they are still standing tall. You two boys are two of my biggest inspirations. You’ve taught me not to let anyone bring me down with their harsh words. That even if I’m dying on the inside, to smile, because that’s exactly what the enemy can’t stand. You’ve brought sunshine and happiness to Suju with your loving and caring personalities. Henry, I thank you for being there to take care of Donghae and Ryeowook even though they are your hyungs. And Zhoumi, I thank you for being there for Heechul more than anyone when he was in the hospital. For watching over our maknae even though he sometimes seems older than you. You are both beyond talented, beautiful people, and it’s a blessing that I can proudly say you are apart of Super Junior. SJ = 15. 

And finally, the 3 members not being currently present. This has caused an immense amount of pain and endless tears for any and all ELF. I won’t go into why they’re gone but just know that we support them no matter what. It hurts to see Heechul cry being he misses Hangeng. It hurts to see that some ELF barely know who Kibum is. It hurts to know that we watched as you boys cried your hearts out for Kangin as he entered the military. All of those things hurt our hearts. But we know that no matter what, even if there is no longer a contract, that Super Junior is eternal. That you boys have a love much deeper than the words typed up on a a piece of a paper. That even though you may not be together right now, you are still a family and care about one another greatly. And ELF will support and protect all of you until the day the 15 boys of SJ are reunited on stage, and far beyond. We will always love you. 

We know that it’s your 5th anniversary. Kangin is already in the military and the other are not far behind. As much as we want to deny this fact, it’s mandatory that you all serve 2 years in service. Heechul and Leeteuk have talked about going in next year and this thought absolutely destroys me. How are we going to survive without leader to watch over and protect both you boys and us? I can’t think of anyone who would do a better job and without him… I can’t even imagine what that’s going to be like… And Heechul. More than anything, I can’t stand the though of him entering. He’s the light of SJ, always there to crack a joke and lighten the mood. He’s weak because of the accident and I worry about him so much. And after those two, there are still 11 more boys who need to enter. Some say that we should give up. But I promise you, from the depth of my heart, that ELF will wait for you. It’s going to be a hard couple of years, but will all lean on each other for support. We will always wait, even if it takes 8 years. The day you reunite is the day we are looking forward to and waiting for. Leeteuk said that Super Junior would be able to last for 30 years, and that’s what I’m counting on.

But throughout all the difficult periods of time, you’ve stayed together and your bond has become unbreakable. It’s obvious that there’s a love there like no other group I’ve ever seen. Super Junior has become much more than a group. It’s become a family. You will be there for each other even when things are tough. You will be there for each other in times of happiness and joy too. Throughout Sorry Sorry there were endless tears, not because of sadness but because of how far you’ve come. During Bonamana you dominated the charts and proved to everyone that you truly are amazing. You’ve evolved from little adorable boys with funky hair to men who have mastered their craft, wheter it be dancing, singing, or just being an all around entertainer.

You’re all in SJ for a reason, all of which are different. But I am so so glad that you are. All 15 boys together create a seriously beautiful group called Super Junior. Suju is so much more than a group though. You all may not be aware but you’ve changed so many girls lives. Whether it be inspiring them to lose weight or helping them overcome a traumatic incident. You saved me. You didn’t even have to do anything except be yourselves.You have no idea how much you’ve changed my life and many others. 

So thank you Super Junior. For being you. For being the 15 wonderful boys that you are. For pursuing your dreams and overcoming obstacles. For aways putting a smile on our faces. Park Jungsu, Kim Heechul, Hangeng, Kim Jongwoon, Kim Youngwoon, Shin Donghee, Lee Sungmin, Lee Hyukjae, Choi Siwon, Zhou Mi, Lee Donghae, Kim Ryeowook, Kim Kibum, Cho Kyuhyun, and Henry Lau; Thank you. There’s so much more that I can say but this is already long enough… ELF love you and promise to always protect you, no matter what. All 15 boys. Forever as 1. 

HAPPY 5TH ANNIVERSARY, AND MAY THERE BE MANY MANY MORE TO COME. <3

You boys are amazing and I love you from the bottom of my heart. <3

Sincerely, 

A loyal ELF.