Was just watching SJ’s performance on Show Champion again and when the camera cut to Leeteuk’s face during the anchor stage I just got so emotional. He just stood there for a minute and gazed at his fans…wasn’t even aware of his surroundings and didn’t start singing until the camera zoomed on him. Many people don’t understand the love ELFs have for Super Junior, a lot of them even despise the boys for their past mistakes and refuse to give them a chance.

This picture may seem nothing to a non-fan; they may see a picture of a random guy dressed in extravagant clothing stare at something off camera but to me? This is picture of a leader. A man with many flaws, and even more greatness. A person who was once a young boy, a boy with great dreams who sat at a room with twelve other kids and raised his hand eagerly when a representative asked them: “Who is the eldest among you?” Back then this little boy didn’t know that his eagerness would cause him over a decade worth of tears, sweat, pain, humiliation and heartbreak.

Back then he didn’t know joining SM entertainment would entail him taking care of over a dozen kids with different personalities and backgrounds. He certainly hadn’t anticipated the days he would spend hungry and tired; he probably didn’t know he was capable of stealing until he started snatching coins wherever he could find them to buy some crackers or a ramen for his soon-to-be teammates who wouldn’t stop whining. That boy was the same age as the other members, maybe a little older but certainly not enough to be entrusted with the lives and well being of twelve other individuals…yet somehow? He managed.

Not only did he manage but he ended up singlehandedly raising all of them, he ended up debuting in a project group and was told they wouldn’t last, that they would be thrown away like used goods soon. And where everyone else would’ve given up, this boy took the challenge; and as a result? He grew up too fast. The price of Super Junior’s success was this boy’s childhood and innocence.

Fast forward ten long years of sweaty nights and tired mornings, of hospital beds and fake smiles; of embarrassing acts on variety shows and of bittersweet tears of pain and joy…and here we are. The boy is now a man and is standing on a stage, with those whom he cared for like a parent, like an older brother, like a guardian angel, and he is smiling…tears fill in his eyes and he takes a bow to the fans. It is not even a big award or a significant stage…it’s just show champion. Yet, he couldn’t be more proud…more proud of those around him, and those in front of him who stuck around and continue to wave their light sticks at him.