When it comes to K-pop, if there is a time when it is best to debut in the worldwide musical phenomenon, it is now. Thanks to social media, K-pop acts of all kinds -- boy bands, girl groups, co-ed groups, and soloists -- are finding international fame quicker than ever before.
A prime example of social media benefiting a K-pop act is BTS. Also known as the Bangtan Boys, Bangtan Sonyeondan, and the Bulletproof Boy Scouts, the seven-member was able to make an impact upon their 2013 debut thanks to a whole year of social media promotion.
Their social media presence came full circle four years later when they won the Top Social Artist award at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards.
To put it bluntly, K-pop acts should utilize social media these days if they want to make it big or even stay relevant. That is what K-pop boy band Super Junior is doing as they will open up an official boy band Instagram with their upcoming comeback.
Super Junior's fan club known as E.L.F. can now follow the K-pop boy band on Instagram!
Super Junior -- also known as SJ or SuJu -- opening an Instagram account is huge news for their fan club who are known collectively as E.L.F. SM Entertainment, the entertainment label and agency the K-pop boy band debuted under, announced the creation of the new Instagram account.
It already has both group and solo shots of the members. The first upload is a group photo from a recent meetup which even included members who are serving their mandatory military service in the Korean Army.
The new Instagram account is technically a promotion as Super Junior will be making their comeback in the second half of this year after members Eunhyuk, Donghae, and Choi Siwon are discharged from their mandatory military services. The youngest members, Kyuhyun and Ryeowook, will not take part in this upcoming comeback as they have to fulfill their mandatory military services too.
Why is Super Junior's comeback and Instagram account significant to E.L.F.?
Super Junior's comeback will be a significant one not just because three members are returning from mandatory military service, but it has been almost two years since their last release.
The last time they released an album was back in September 16, 2015 with "Magic," which was a re-release of "Devil" featuring a new song of the same name.
As for their Instagram account, K-pop fans in general have been waiting for Super Junior to open one up given the fact they are one of the remaining second generation K-pop boy bands since the initiation of Hallyu. Formed back in 2005, they helped spearhead K-pop's popularity on an international level. If it weren't for them and other popular K-pop acts at the time like Girls' Generation, Big Bang, and Wonder Girls, today's popular acts like BTS and Twice would not be where they are now.
As for their upcoming comeback, besides the fact it will drop in the second half of 2017, we do not know exactly when Super Junior will actually make their comeback. However, it is being discussed among fans the comeback date will be near November 6, 2017, the 12th anniversary for the boy band.