Super Junior K.R.Y was created in 2006 as a vocal sub-unit of the widely popular boy band Super Junior. The sub-unit contains three of the best male vocalists of k-pop, Kyuhyun, Ryeowook and Yesung, who are also Super Junior’s three first voices.
Now that 2015 is reaching to its end, Super Junior K.R.Y, although not being widely succesful (in sales), showed again what their voices are made of and how capable the three vocalists are. The sub-unit released an album in japanese in this year’s summer worth listening, and if you still did not give it a try, you definitely should.
All of the three members of Super Junior K.R.Y possess vocal ranges that excess the 3 octaves, with Kyuhyun being the only member (and only male idol to date) to have a 4 octaves range.
KYUHYUN VOCAL RANGE: D2 — D6 (4 octaves)
RYEOWOOK VOCAL RANGE: G2 — C#6 (3 octaves, 3 notes and a semitone)
YESUNG VOCAL RANGE: G2 — G#5 (3 octaves and a semitone)
The members’ voices differentiate from each other due to their voice colors (or vocal timbres, however you prefer to call it). While Yesung has the darkest tone of them all, remembering that of a baritone, Kyuhyun has a lighter and velvet-like tone that can reach as low as a D2 without losing its charasteristic vibe. Ryeowook has the brightest tone of them all, with a very light weight and a thin production when needed.
Vocal positives: The three members have developed all of their registers more than enough, and have produced resonance and support with relative stability in their chest, mixed and head voices. All of them can hit all the notes of the third octave with a decent production, and can belt (at least) a C5. Ryeowook and Kyuhyun have supported C5’s. Almost flawless intonation is present in all of the member’s performances.
Vocal negatives: Ryeowook is the only member who has a properly developed higher register, although Kyuhyun’s is not lacking either. Ryeowook has an “above average” lower register, while Yesung and Kyuhyun have a developed chest voice. As for Yesung, notes above Bb4 are forced, pushed and strained most of the time. Kyuhyun could upgrade his higher register. All of the members have “above average” agility in general terms.
- LOWER REGISTER
The sub-unit’s lower register is well developed in general terms. Although Ryeowook might be lacking in comparision to his counterparts, he still manages to achieve a proper support as low as D3 without losing its tone. Kyuhyun possesses a very well developed lower register, with a proper support that starts from A2, and a placement that is present through all the register. Notes below A2 can present airiness and “unaudibility”, although placement is still correct. Yesung has a well developed lower register that can extend up to C3 without losing support, although notes below C3 are strained and forced, due to a general missplacement. - MIXED REGISTER
This register shows the best balance among the members. All of the members have a good placement when it comes to belt, although Yesung presents the most inconsistencies. Yesung shows support until G#4, with a decent resonance and a decent vibrato; however, notes that go from A4 and above are strained and oftenly pushed, with a very chesty and, sometimes, throaty sound. Above A4, his belts can sound disconnected and yelled if not properly mixed. These issues have been partially fixed by the singer as time passes, and although showing inconsistencies, Yesung has a better than the average mixed register. Again, Kyuhyun has the most developed mixed register of the three members, with resonance achieved almost every single time until C#5 and ocasionally even D5. A proper breathing technique, a healthy vibrato, a good placement and a flawless legato describe the singer’s mixed voice. Ryeowook has a well developed mixed voice, that shows ocassional issues in placement (it can become nasal if not properly located) and in swallowed vowels. However, the singer achieves resonance with relative ease and belts are done almost effortlessly until B4/C5. - HIGHER REGISTER
The development of this register is overall decent for the group. In this case, it is Ryeowook who takes the crown. Kyuhyun has a somewhat well developed higher register, with a proper support and a decent placement, although it lacks in terms of resonance. Vocal runs with falsetto are not achieved succesfully as seen in My Everything live performance, due to a lack of agility of the singer in this register. Yesung possesses a disconnected, not properly placed (oftenly throaty) and weak falsetto. As for Ryeowook, his head voice shows a good development with a great stability and a well connected sound, and resonance is achieved when in good condition (ex. This is Love).
Despite being less popular than their female counterpart, TaeTiSeo, Super Junior K.R.Y has a lot to offer as vocalists. With developed vocals, the sub-unit has barely any lacking side when you compare then to other alike and non-alike groups. Yesung, the one who provides the darkest tones and gives the song a deeper sound; Ryeowook, the one who shows a lighter vocal side with his thin yet powerful belts and his well rounded head voice; and Kyuhyun, the one who owns the title as the best male vocalist among idols.
With that said, you might consider to take a look at their most recent tour in Asia named Super Junior K.R.Y. Asia Tour ~Phonograph~.
Recommended performance(s): “Sorry, Sorry-Answer”, “Promise You”, “Memories”, “Point of No Return.”