Super Junior member Kim Heechul recently opened up about his feelings and the reasons behind his departure from JTBC’s popular variety show Knowing Bros (also known as Ask Us Anything) after serving as a core cast member for 11 years.
Appearing in a video on the YouTube channel Egennam Swings titled “The universe star Kim Heechul, who almost became the first idol to participate in a control diss battle,” the veteran entertainer spoke candidly about the practical scheduling conflicts and professional values that ultimately led to his decision to step away from the hit show.
Addressing the question directly, Heechul detailed how Super Junior’s landmark 20th-anniversary milestone clashed with the fixed, rigorous filming routine required for weekly television production.
The scheduling overlap created continuous friction between his commitments to his group and his responsibilities to the variety program, compelling him to evaluate how his presence impacted both teams.
He elaborated on the precise logisitics:
“‘Knowing Bros’ records every Thursday. Last year, while Super Junior was holding their 20th anniversary tour, our concerts were usually held on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Because of that, there were times when I had to miss ‘Knowing Bros’ recordings on Thursdays, or the team had to record twice because of me.”
Recognizing that frequent absences and forced filming adjustments placed an extra burden on the production crew and fellow cast members, Heechul felt it was necessary to address the situation directly rather than compromising the quality and consistency of the show.
The Influence of Kang Ho Dong and Professional Mindset Shifts
Beyond schedule conflicts, Heechul emphasized that his personal broadcast philosophy and respect for veteran entertainer Kang Ho Dong played a central role in shaping his perspective.
He explained that working alongside Kang Ho Dong deeply transformed how he approaches his duty toward television audiences and production ethics.
Reflecting on Kang Ho Dong’s core broadcast values, Heechul shared:
“Ho Dong hyung’s mindset has always been that viewers come first.
He is someone who believes that whether I’m tired, have a broken leg, or have a cold, the most important thing is maintaining trust with the viewers.”
Heechul further expressed how this professional standard reshaped his own outlook, adding:
“After meeting Ho Dong hyung, my own mindset about broadcasting changed a lot.”
To illustrate Kang Ho Dong’s tireless work ethic during arduous filming sessions, Heechul recalled a specific phrase the veteran host frequently repeated during late-night shoots:
“When it’s 4 AM, everyone starts getting sleepy, but Ho Dong hyung says, ‘No. It’s 4 AM for us, but for the viewers, it’s 6 PM.'”
Heechul acknowledged the profound impact of those words on his own career, stating:
“After hearing that, I realized he was absolutely right.”
Seeing how deeply Kang Ho Dong valued accountability to the audience made Heechul realize that staying on a show while frequently missing shoots due to concert tours did not align with the standard of respect viewers deserved, leading him to step down.
Financial Realities of Early Idol Life versus Variety Success
During the interview, host Jang Ji Soo also brought up the topic of earnings during Super Junior’s early debut years, asking,
“Was it divided into 13 parts? That must have been really difficult.”
Heechul provided an honest assessment of the financial landscape for large-scale K-pop groups during the mid-2000s, explaining:
“Back then, honestly, every time we appeared on broadcasts, we were actually losing money.
We didn’t earn more than other groups, but we did make enough to live on.”
Heechul’s candid remarks highlighted the stark contrast between the early profit margins of a 13-member idol group and the stability he later found as a long-term variety show host.
By sharing these personal anecdotes, Heechul offered fans a transparent look at the practical challenges, mutual respect, and professional standards that defined his decade-long journey on Knowing Bros.