Netizens did not hold back.
Koreaboo
4 minutes ago
Super Junior’s new sub-unit has sparked debate online over its unexpected comeback concept.
| SM Entertainment
SUPER JUNIOR-83z (the group’s seventh official sub-unit) is set to release its first mini album featuring members Leeteuk and Heechul. However, the concept behind their upcoming release has already drawn strong reactions from netizens.
| SM Entertainment
The music video concept appears to focus on teenage years and high school life, with the two members shown wearing school uniforms and recreating the energy of students.
| SM Entertainment
Individual teasers also show the idols acting playful and youthful, similar to typical high school-themed concepts.
| SM Entertainment | SM Entertainment
However, many people questioned the decision to use this concept, considering that both members are in their 40s. The two idols were born in 1983 (which explains their subunit name), making them 43 years old.
Super Junior pic.twitter.com/7b0xKMUVm0 https://t.co/T2VoX70dB9
— 🦂 (@lovethve) July 14, 2026
Online reactions criticized the choice, with some joking that the concept felt disconnected from their actual ages.
ya’ll haven’t been in school in 30 years stop this….. https://t.co/XM1T2hFCFS
— Ari ¹ ⁷// feels like peek at you (@boybandsbandz) July 14, 2026
57 years old doing high school boy crush themed mvs https://t.co/ekI2U7oGJN
— AK!R4⁷★∞ ȸƆЖԨ ARIRANG (@J00NM3TAL) July 14, 2026
While some fans defended the concept as simply a fun and nostalgic idea, others felt the school theme was difficult to take seriously given the members’ ages.
You can watch the full music video for their new song “Promise” below: