Maps of Music

Play (2017)

Where the lyrics of Play take you, and where it was really made.

Only seven members sing on this album, and Siwon was dropped from its promotion just before release, so only six members promoted it.

Key places

Seoul Studio recording session (2017)

Recording site Seoul Studio — The single "One More Chance" was recorded at Seoul Studio, according to the album's credits. The point marks the studio city-level location in Seoul. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

T Studio recording session (2017)

Recording site T Studio — The track "Hug" was recorded at T Studio, according to the album's credits. The point marks the studio location listed in the credits. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album jacket photoshoot in Deokyang-gu (2017)

Album cover Deokyang-gu, Goyang-si — The album jacket photoshoot was taken in Deokyang-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do in September 2017. The point is set at the city center, not the exact shooting spot. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• Play: ninth Korean-language studio album and tenth overall by Super Junior
• Released November 6, 2017 by SM Entertainment, on the band's 12th debut anniversary
• Vocals from seven members; Shindong, Eunhyuk, Donghae and Siwon return after mandatory military service
• Kyuhyun's voice heard on two tracks, "Girlfriend" and "Too Late"
• Pre-release single "One More Chance" came out October 30, 2017; "Black Suit" released the same day as the album
• Repackage Replay released April 12, 2018

Background

• The band released the compilations Devil (July 2015) and Magic (September 2015) for its tenth debut anniversary
• Hiatus began shortly after Magic, as most members were enlisting for military service
• Kyuhyun enlisted in 2017, Ryeowook in 2016
• Label SJ announced the title Play on October 18, 2017, with a dual meaning: replaying the music and playing excitedly
• The band described the album as a showcase of its musical colours, with a more mature aspect than its previous concepts

Recording

• Produced by Super Junior and Tak Young-jun; mastered by Chris Gehringer
• First album Label SJ published for the band since the label was founded in 2015
• Heechul initially opposed a physical release, but agreed for the sake of fans

Cover

• Jacket photoshoot taken at Deokyang-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do in September 2017

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Tracklist

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Formation

• Formed by SM Entertainment founder Lee Soo-man in 2005 as a 12-member group with rotational members.
• The rotational concept was abandoned after Kyuhyun joined in 2006, and the group became known as Super Junior.
• Debuted on November 6, 2005 with the single "Twins (Knock Out)" on Inkigayo.
• Media dubbed them the "Kings of Hallyu Wave" for their contribution to the Korean Wave.

Members

• Current active members: Leeteuk, Heechul, Yesung, Shindong, Eunhyuk, Siwon, Donghae, Ryeowook, Kyuhyun.
• Han Geng left in 2011, Kibum in 2015, Kangin in 2019.

Career

• "Sorry, Sorry" (2009) brought international recognition and was the group's best-selling single in South Korea.
• Formed multiple subgroups, including Super Junior-M, Super Junior-T and Super Junior-K.R.Y.
• Won Teen Choice Awards' International Artist and Best Fandom in 2015.
• Released the 11th studio album The Road in 2023 and the 12th studio album Super Junior25 in 2025 for the 20th anniversary.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Reception

At release

• Gaon Chart: the album sold over 200,000 copies in its first week of release
• The first-week figure was the group's highest first-week sales number ever
• Billboard World Albums chart: debuted at number 3 for the week of November 25
• The album was released with a physical CD despite Heechul's initial objection
• Only six members promoted the album, the group's smallest line-up since debut

Records

• First-week sales over 200,000 copies (Gaon)
• Highest first-week sales in the group's history at the time
• Billboard World Albums: peak position 3
• Release followed the single "One More Chance" on October 30, 2017
• Repackage Replay followed on April 12, 2018, completing the Play–Pause–Replay trilogy plan
• Album sold strongly enough that the band fulfilled a sales pledge tied to 200,000 copies

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• Heechul argued that people no longer use CD players, yet agreed to a physical release for fans.
• Eunhyuk pledged at the press conference that a sales target of 200,000 copies would lead to a homeshopping appearance selling black suits.
• Siwon's promotion withdrawal was announced by Label SJ on October 31, 2017, but his part in the "Black Suit" music video was kept.
• SM Entertainment announced Replay as a repackage to complete the trilogy of Play, Pause and Replay.
• Label SJ explained the title Play as a double meaning of replaying the music and playing excitedly.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

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