Super Junior's Kim Heechul revealed that he has a disability due to the aftereffects of a past car accident.
On the 12th, during an episode of the SBS entertainment program "My Ugly Duckling" (hereafter "Miusae"), a shaman stated that after looking at his fortune for the new year, "Heechul is living a life as a bonus right now. There was a big hurdle in his 20s. His body's axis was greatly affected then," prompting Kim Heechul to confess this.
When the shaman advised Kim Heechul, "Be cautious in July 2025. Be careful in the summer. If you get a fracture or break something, you could really become disabled," Kim Heechul responded, "Actually, I've never revealed this anywhere, but I have a disability rating."
Kim Heechul was involved in a car accident while returning to Seoul after attending the wake of fellow Super Junior member Donghae's father in 2006. He suffered injuries that required 12 weeks of treatment, including fractures in his femur and ankle, and underwent significant surgery in which seven metal pins were inserted. It is reported that he was classified as having a level 4 disability as a result.
He noted, "After receiving the disability rating, I went to get the sticker that you place on the front of your car. But when I got there, I thought, 'No, I should live more actively,' and decided not to receive it," adding, "At that time, I didn’t want to admit that my body was in so much pain." He also mentioned, "I didn't originally talk about this because I was worried my fans would be sad."
Watching from the studio, Kim Heechul's mother remarked, "I am so thankful that my son is trying so hard," as she was unable to hold back her tears, adding to the emotional atmosphere.