Kim Hee Chul (Hee Chul Kim)

Also known as: Kim Hui Cheol, Kim Heechul, Hee Chul, Heechul, Casey Kim

Date of birth: 10 July 1983 (43 years old)

Country: South Korean

Kim Hee Chul is a South Korean singer-songwriter, presenter, actor, and member of SUPER JUNIOR (슈퍼주니어). He graduated from Wonju Technical High School and later obtained an associate's degree in Tourism English Interpretation from Sangji Youngseo University, a bachelor's degree in Computer Data Information from Sangji University and a master's degree in Broadcasting Music from Cheongwoon University. He was recruited in 2002 after he passed an audition at SM Entertainment (SM엔터테인먼트) in Seoul. He was originally placed in a project group called FOUR SEASONS, but the group was cancelled when trainees Kim Jae Joong and Jung Yun Ho (now known as U-Know Yunho) debuted with TVXQ in 2003. He was then set to debut as the lead vocalist of TRAX (previously known as THE TRAX and TRAXX), but he constantly argued with the project's supervisor, and he left SM and returned home. Later, several of his friends will convince him to return to the agency once again. At the same time, SM's CEO, Lee Soo Man, wanted to create a versatile group with members who had experience in different fields (acting, dancing, presenting, etc.). He based his idea on the Japanese girl group MORNING MOSUME (モーニング娘), who debuted in 1997 and established a successful rotation of their lineup since then. He called his new group, SUPER JUNIOR 05. He made his debut as an actor in March 2005 with a role in the KBS2 drama "Sharp 2". He then worked in a few dramas before receiving the opportunity to host a music show, "Show! Music Tank", and model for several brands. He made his singing debut in November 2005 as the group's sub-vocalist and sub-rapper with their first single, “Twins (Knock Out)“, part of their debut album "Twins", which was released one month later. The idea of a rotational group was dropped when Cho Kyu Hyun was added to the lineup in 2006. Nonetheless, SUPER JUNIOR has become one of the most successful K-Pop representatives and their ability to excel in different areas of the entertainment industry forced a change in the way other companies prepared their trainees. As part of SM's strategy to not limit the group's activities while certain members focused on their individual careers, several sub-groups have been created since their debut. He debuted as part of SUPER JUNIOR-T (슈퍼주니어-T), focusing on trot music, in February 2007 with their single album “Rokkugo!!!”. Then, in June 2011, he became part of the duo KIM HEE CHUL & KIM JUNG MO (김희철&김정모, formerly known as M&D), releasing the single "Close Ur Mouth" and performing together until Kim Jung Mo's departure from SM in 2019. He was also part of the project group UNIVERSE COWARDS (우주겁쟁이) alongside Min Kyung Hoon and released the single "Sweet Dream" in 2016 during an episode of the show "Knowing Bros". He suffered a severe car accident in August 2006 when the car's tires malfunctioned while attempting to switch lanes. He required surgery and had several metal rods inserted in his leg. As a result, he is no longer able to dance and perform on stage for extended periods of time. He participates in the group's music videos and recordings but rarely appears during concerts because of his lingering injury. He enlisted for his mandatory service on September 1, 2011, and was discharged on August 31, 2013. After serving, he has been more involved in other areas such as hosting (both radio and TV), appearing in variety shows, and is also an avid gamer.