Super Junior member Heechul Kim directly addressed rumors about his health, calming fans who had grown worried.
Earlier, JTBC’s variety show Knowing Bros announced that Heechul Kim would take a short break for health reasons. Starting with the episode airing on the 9th, he will be absent; however, the team clarified this is a temporary hiatus with a planned return after recovery, not a permanent departure.
As concern spread, Heechul Kim personally updated fans on Instagram on the 3rd. “I’ve been getting a lot of worried messages from friends,” he wrote, adding, “I didn’t want to show viewers a tired, spacey version of myself, so I decided to take a brief break.”
He also noted that a hectic schedule played a part. “With recordings overlapping with overseas schedules, it’s been hard to manage my condition. Rather than appearing on and off, I figured it would be better to take a proper rest,” he said.
Still, Heechul Kim expressed his affection for the show. “Knowing Bros is incredibly special to me,” he said. “With my friend Shin-young Kim joining, I can take time off with peace of mind. Please look forward to an even richer broadcast.”
Through a format refresh, Knowing Bros is adding Shin-young Kim as its first-ever female fixed cast member. The production team said, “Drawing on her experience and trademark wit, she quickly took control of the classroom vibe,” expressing confidence that she will inject fresh energy into the program.
With Heechul Kim’s temporary break and Shin-young Kim’s arrival, attention is on what new direction Knowing Bros will take next.