Super Junior’s Kim Hee Chul has opened up about his struggles with health, his identity as an idol, and his emotional journey since being classified as disabled.
On August 25, Hee Chul posted a heartfelt message on his YouTube channel, reflecting on his recent performances and his past struggles. He began by saying, “I finished the Korean leg of Super Show. Now I have the happy pain of body aches and muscle soreness.”
He admitted that while he once loved being on stage, things changed drastically after his accident and medical evaluations. He shared, “I even got exempted from reserve forces training. At the hospital, they told me I might not be able to walk and shouldn’t take long flights. On my way to receive the disability grade, I was completely confused. After much thought, I ended up denying reality and just went back home.”
Hee Chul explained how the physical changes in his body affected him mentally, “My left side began to sink, and my face and body became asymmetrical. The bigger problem was that my mind also started breaking down. I always thought it was better to not do something at all than to do it poorly, so I started to distance myself from the stage.”
He confessed the pain of seeing fans and members continue without him, “When I was with the members, or when I saw a stage without me, I felt longing and regret, so I deliberately avoided and ignored it. There were fans who wanted Super Junior’s Kim Hee Chul, fans who loved seeing me on stage. I thought I couldn’t fulfill that anymore, so I pushed it away.”
Despite the hardships, he also shared his renewed determination, “Super Junior’s activities were my ultimate dopamine. Almost all of it is gone now, but I believe the little leftover pains in my heart will heal naturally as we continue the Super Show tour. I’m 20 years old again. Forever 20-year-old Kim Hee Chul. I’m an idol.”
Fans know that Hee Chul’s struggles date back to 2006, when he was in a serious car accident after attending Dong Hae’s father’s funeral. He suffered a 12-week injury and had seven metal rods inserted in his leg. Since then, he has been officially classified as a level 4 physically disabled person.
Source: [1]
