By the time of the debut, eleven of the members were Korean and one was Chinese. The Chinese member, Han Geng, was picked among from 3000 applicants through auditions held in China by SM Entertainment in 2001. Many of the members had already made a name for themselves prior to Super Junior's debut through acting, VJ-ing, and modeling. On May 23, 2006 SM Entertainment announced the addition of a new member, Cho Kyu Hyun, making them the 13 member group they are today.
Before their official debut, Super Junior was already a hot topic over the Internet. News broke about SM Entertainment's unprecedented plans of forming a large 12 member group. Rumors about the identity of the members as well as the group's name circulated for months. For awhile, many speculated that they were going to be known as "Common Ground." Another speculation claimed that the band was going to be called "O.V.E.R" (Obey the Voice for Each Rhythm). Before officially debuting as a group, they had already made appearances on television via acting, VJing on music programs, or modeling. Some of the members still continue to do so today, such as Kim Hee Chul, Choi Si Won and Kim Ki Bum, who are active in dramas and movies.
Super Junior made their first television appearance as a group on SBS Inki Gayo on November 6, 2005 as a 12 member group. The group performed its first single, "TWINS (Knock Out)." "TWINS (Knock Out)" and You are the One were released online on November 11, 2005. A single was scheduled to be released in November but a more complete album was released on December 7, 2005 instead. In December 2005, Super Junior collaborated with labelmate and popular boy band TVXQ. Together they released a single titled Show Me Your Love. During this time, the two groups could be seen on the same shows together to promote their album.
In the new year, after "Show Me Your Love" performances were finished, Super Junior moved onto their second single, "Miracle". The single version of the song differs from the original, as it has a dance break and an added bridge. In contrast to the edgy, rock-influenced feel of "TWINS", "Miracle" was a light bubblegum pop love song with light-hearted choreography. It was the second and last song to be promoted from the album.
Super Junior has been criticized in the past for lip-synching and lack of vocal skills, specifically for shaky pitch and heavy breathing. The criticisms worsened in July 2006 when they lipsynched on Show! Music Core (쇼! 음악중심) of MBC, show that guarantees all live performance. While fans have defended them saying that Hee Chul was ill, their critics argued that they shouldn't have to because they are a large 13 member group, Hee Chul being ill does not account for all 13 members.[3] Despite this, they have still remained popular through their strong fanbase and their album sales have been strong.
On May 23, 2006 SM Entertainment announced the addition of a new member, Cho KyuHyun, being the youngest member. The new 13 membered group released its new look and its newest single U online on May 25, 2006. The title song became a success and enjoyed the #1 spot on music programs for the first time in the group's career. Followed, soon thereafter, by the release of "Endless Moment" on May 29, 2006 and "Lovely Day" on June 6, 2006. On July 23, 2006, Super Junior started promoting their new song, "Dancing Out" from the 2006 SMTOWN summer album.
Aside from music programs, they could be also seen in dramas. In 대결! 슈퍼주니어의 자작극 (Super Junior's Mini-Drama), Super Junior wrote, produced, and acted the drama. The subject matters of the drama were the top three choices of the viewers. The mini-series soon became popular among fans. Their busy schedule was briefly interrupted when Hee Chul fractured his femur in a car accident, but the group managed to restart fairly quickly. However, because their single "Dancing Out" was a summer single, they had their "Goodbye Special" (performing their last singles "U" and "Dancing Out" for the last time) on SBS's "Inki Gayo" on September 3, 2006.
