By Jae-Ha Kim
Kocowa.com
January 9, 2020
If anyone should be allowed to have a love life without being hated on, it’s Kim Hee-chul (better known professionally by the mononym Heechul). Now 36, he has been an integral part of the Korean entertainment industry for almost two decades. As a member of the beloved idol group Super Junior, Heechul and his bandmates helped introduce K-pop to international audiences.
On January 1, Market News reported that Heechul and Twice‘s Momo, 23, are dating:
“Their relationship began as ‘close seniors and juniors’ but they are now a couple.”
As you may know, the outing of an idol’s dating life may hinder their career, which is why so many choose to keep that bit of information to themselves. Frankly, it’s no one’s business but their own. But the dating rumors between Heechul and Momo have been persistent. Less than half a year ago, representatives for both denied anything more than a friendship.
This time, Label SJ (his agency) and JYP Entertainment (Momo’s label) confirmed that the idols’ friendship has progressed to a romantic relationship.
Shortly after the announcement, perhaps in an attempt to distance himself from any fan fallout, Heechul took a break from his personal YouTube account:
“I will be taking a break from HeeTube for the time being. I am always sorry and grateful. I will later greet you again. I hope 2020 will be an even happier year for you. Stay healthy!”
A great singer, dancer, actor and emcee, Heechul is a great all-around entertainer. Here are a few of his highlights:
Heechul is part of celebrity chef Baek Jong-won’s latest series, where the goal is to show viewers new ways to prepare delicious and healthy food — while providing entertainment, of course. On a December episode, Heechul talked about how the show was a departure for him:
“This is the most difficult program I’ve been on since my debut. Firstly, I don’t do outdoor shows. Until now, all I did was talk. I have use, too! … I’m able to give happiness in a different way by letting people know about farmers and some of their work. It’s the second stage of Kim Heechul’s life.”
Heechul is one of the hosts of this dating reality series, but one of the sweetest “matches” was when he was reunited with former Super Junior member Kim Ki-bum. Heechul talked up his friend, saying how Ki-bum always stayed at home, while he went out to clubs and parties. When a female contestant expressed interest in Ki-bum, Heechul went into matchmaker mode:
“Kee-bum is really sincere. Unlike me, he doesn’t go out to play or clubbing.”
The two joked around on Heechul’s Instagram account about how old they’ve gotten.
Heechul and his mother joined the cast of this reality series in the summer of 2019, where he was described as an “ugly duckling” son. They weren’t referring to his looks, obviously, but rather his carefree lifestyle. (I don’t get it, but that’s OK. There’s a little humor injected into all these shows.) This past November, his bandmate Siwon –who’s known as Super Junior’s visual — made an appearance as a guest MC on the series. They asked Heechul’s mother who she thought was the true visual. She praised Siwon for his good manners, but cheekily answered, “Kim Hee-chul.”
“Loving You a Thousand Times” (천만번 사랑해)
Did any of you watch this 2009-2010 SBS K-drama? It’s a series about a poor young woman who becomes a surrogate for a rich couple who are unable to conceive a child. Heechul plays the younger brother of the woman who married into the chaebol family and has to produce an heir, even if it means tricking her husband into thinking she’s actually pregnant. His character falls in love with the surrogate’s selfish and unlikable sister, who only has eyes for the chaebol family’s youngest son, who only has eyes for the surrogate. In a series like this where the female lead has such a difficult life, it’s important to have some levity. And Heechul provides just the right dose.
Heechul has always been a big supporter of younger trainees and idols. After the 2019 “SBS Entertainment Awards” last month, he thanked “Running Man” star Yoo Jae-suk, who honored Sulli and Hara in his acceptance speech:
“After Jae Suk hyung received the Daesang, he brought up [Sulli and Hara]. The fact that Jae Suk hyung talked about them during his acceptance speech moved me. I felt so thankful, because I had been trying hard not to talk about it all this time.”
A great friend to Sulli, Heechul revealed that he is now raising her cat, Goblin. He hadn’t wanted to talk about it before, he said, because he didn’t want people to smear Sulli’s name by creating more rumors:
“All of us need to be healthy. We should all be healthy. No matter what.”Let’s hope that fans give Heechul and Momo the time to date without interference.”
Happy new year, Heechul! Fighting!
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