Yesung
예성 · 김강훈 (Kim Kang-hoon) · Jerome Kim
Kim Kang-hoon (formerly Kim Jong-woon); English name: Jerome Kim
August 24, 1984 South Korean 177 cm (5'10") 64 kg (141 lbs) Type AB INFJ
Yesung is the main vocalist of Super Junior, one of K-pop's most influential boy groups, celebrated for his husky tenor voice and three-octave vocal range. Born Kim Jong-woon (legally renamed Kim Kang-hoon) on August 24, 1984, in Seoul, South Korea, he trained under SM Entertainment before debuting with Super Junior 05 on November 6, 2005. As a founding member of Super Junior-K.R.Y. and Super Junior-H, Yesung helped define the group's R&B and ballad sound, later joining the SM The Ballad project. His solo career began in 2016 with the EP Here I Am, followed by releases such as Spring Falling, Pink Magic, Beautiful Night, and the acclaimed Sensory Flows era. Yesung is also an accomplished musical theater actor, television host, and radio DJ, with credits spanning Spamalot, Maybe Happy Ending, and the drama Voice. A devout INFJ known for his introspective, artistic personality, Yesung has built a loyal global fanbase drawn to both his soaring live vocals and his warm, quirky off-stage persona. After completing his military service in 2015, he returned to lead sold-out solo tours across Asia and remains one of Super Junior's most consistent hitmakers. Whether performing K.R.Y. ballads, Korean trot with Super Junior-H, or his own introspective Sensory series, Yesung's musicality and longevity make him a defining voice of the Hallyu generation.
Story
Biography
Yesung: Super Junior’s Golden-Voiced Main Vocalist
Yesung, born Kim Jong-woon (now legally Kim Kang-hoon) on August 24, 1984, in Seoul, South Korea, is the main vocalist of Super Junior, one of the pioneering acts of the Korean Wave (Hallyu). Signed by SM Entertainment in 2001 after auditioning for the label’s Starlight Casting System, Yesung debuted on November 6, 2005, as part of the 12-member project group Super Junior 05. His stage name, derived from the Korean phrase meaning “vocal cords of an artist,” has proven prophetic: he is widely regarded as one of K-pop’s most technically gifted tenors.
Beyond his work with the main group, Yesung is a founding member of the R&B ballad unit Super Junior-K.R.Y. alongside Kyuhyun and Ryeowook, as well as Super Junior-H and the SM collaborative project SM The Ballad. He launched his solo career in 2016 with the EP Here I Am and has since released a steady stream of Korean and Japanese solo albums, including Spring Falling, Pink Magic, Beautiful Night, Sensory Flows, Unfading Sense, and It’s Complicated.
Yesung’s career has not been limited to music. He has built a notable filmography in musical theater (Spamalot, Maybe, Happy Ending, Altar Boyz), television drama (Voice, Songgot: The Piercer), and variety shows such as SJ Returns and Super Junior Idol vs Idol. He completed his mandatory military service as a public service worker from May 2013 to May 2015, returning to a warm welcome from fans.
Known for his husky, emotionally resonant tone and his three-octave vocal range, Yesung continues to headline sold-out solo concerts across Asia, most recently his “Unfading Sense” tour. Outside of music, he is an avid animal lover, a devoted older brother who co-owns the café Mouse Rabbit Coffee, and one of the most enduring vocal talents to emerge from the second generation of K-pop.
Profile
Basic Information
| Stage Name | Yesung (예성) |
| Full Birth Name | Kim Kang-hoon (김강훈), formerly Kim Jong-woon |
| Date of Birth | August 24, 1984 |
| Birthplace | Seoul, South Korea |
| Hometown | Cheonan, South Chungcheong, South Korea |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Height | 177 cm (5'10") |
| Weight | 64 kg (141 lbs) |
| Blood Type | AB |
| Zodiac Sign | Virgo |
| MBTI | INFJ |
| Education | Inha University |
| Agency | SM Entertainment / Label SJ |
| Debut | November 6, 2005 (Super Junior) |
| Languages | Korean, basic Japanese |
| Nicknames | Jongwoon, Yesungie, the Turtle |
| Hobbies | Singing, watching basketball, caring for pets |
| Favorite Color | Blue |
| Ideal Type | Someone caring, warm-hearted, and understanding |
Membership
Groups & Positions
Super Junior
SM Entertainment / Label SJ
Main Vocalist Super Junior-K.R.Y. Member Super Junior-H Member
2005–present
Super Junior-K.R.Y.
SM Entertainment / Label SJ
2006–present
Super Junior-H
SM Entertainment / Label SJ
2008
SM The Ballad
SM Entertainment / Label SJ
2014
The Lineup
Group Members — Super Junior
Leeteuk
Leader, Vocalist, Rapper
Heechul
Vocalist, Rapper
Yesung
Main Vocalist
This Idol
Shindong
Lead Dancer, Sub-Rapper, Sub-Vocalist
Eunhyuk
Main Dancer, Lead Rapper, Sub-Vocalist
Donghae
Main Dancer, Vocalist
Siwon
Vocalist
Ryeowook
Main Vocalist
Kyuhyun
Main Vocalist
Kibum
Lead Rapper · Sub Vocalist · Face of the Group (departed 2015)
Kangin
Lead Vocalist (left group 2019)
Han Geng
Lead Dancer · Sub Vocalist (China, left group 2009)
Sungmin
Lead Vocalist · Lead Dancer
Journey
Career Timeline
2001
SM Entertainment Trainee
Yesung auditioned for and passed SM Entertainment's Starlight Casting System, signing as a trainee.
2005
Super Junior Debut
Debuted on November 6 as a member of the 12-member project group Super Junior 05 with the single "Twins (Knock Out)."
2006
Formation of Super Junior-K.R.Y.
Formed the R&B ballad subunit Super Junior-K.R.Y. with Kyuhyun and Ryeowook.
2007
Acting Debut
Made his acting debut in the film Attack on the Pin-Up Boys alongside fellow Super Junior members.
2008
Super Junior-H Formed
Joined the variety subunit Super Junior-H, releasing the mini-album Cooking? Cooking!.
2009
Musical Theater Debut
Starred in the historical musical Namhansanseong at the Seongnam Arts Center.
2010
Hong Gildong Musical
Played the title role in the musical Hong Gildong alongside bandmate Sungmin.
2013
Military Enlistment
Enlisted for mandatory military service on May 6, serving as a public service worker.
2014
SM The Ballad
Joined SM Entertainment's collaborative ballad project SM The Ballad for its second album, Breath.
2015
Military Discharge & Devil
Completed military service and rejoined Super Junior for the 10th-anniversary special album Devil.
2016
Solo Debut
Released his first solo EP, Here I Am, on April 19, launching his solo music career.
2017
Spring Falling
Released his second EP, Spring Falling, led by the single "Paper Umbrella."
2019
Story & Pink Magic
Released his first Japanese studio album Story and third Korean EP Pink Magic.
2021
Beautiful Night
Released his fourth EP, Beautiful Night, ending a nearly two-year gap since his last comeback.
2023
Sensory Series
Released the albums Sensory Flows and Unfading Sense, completing his "Sensory" concept series, followed by his first solo Asia tour.
2024
It's Complicated
Released his sixth Korean EP, It's Complicated, on November 5.
2025
Solo Tour Continues
Held sold-out solo concerts in Seoul and across Asia, including his first show in Manila.
Music
Discography
🎵
Here I Am
EP
2016
🎵
Spring Falling
EP
2017
🎵
Story
Japanese Studio Album
2019
🎵
Pink Magic
EP
2019
🎵
Beautiful Night
EP
2021
🎵
Sensory Flows
Studio Album
2023
🎵
Kimi to Iu Sakura no Hanabira ga Boku no Kokoro ni Maiorita
Japanese EP
2023
🎵
Unfading Sense
EP
2023
🎵
It's Complicated
EP
2024
💜
SuperJunior05 (Twins)
Studio Album
2005
💜
Don't Don
Studio Album
2007
💜
Sorry, Sorry
Studio Album
2009
💜
Bonamana
Studio Album
2010
💜
Mr. Simple
Studio Album
2011
💜
Sexy, Free & Single
Studio Album
2012
💜
Mamacita
Studio Album
2014
💜
Devil
Special Album
2015
💜
Play
Studio Album
2017
💜
Time_Slip
Special Album
2020
💜
The Renaissance
Studio Album
2021
💜
Super Junior25
Studio Album
2025
🎧
It Has to Be You (Cinderella's Sister OST)
OST Single
2010
🎧
Waiting for You (Paradise Ranch OST)
OST Single
2011
🎧
For One Day (Warrior Baek Dong Soo OST)
OST Single
2011
🎧
Gray Paper (That Winter, the Wind Blows OST)
OST Single
2013
🎧
Whatcha Doin' (with Chungha)
Digital Single
2018
🎧
Carpet (with Bumkey)
Digital Single
2019
🎧
After Love (with Solar)
Digital Single
2022
🎧
Small Things
Digital Single
2023
Recognition
Awards & Achievements
BGM Cyworld Hall of Fame
Cyworld Digital Music Awards
2010
Song of the Month - April (It Has to Be You)
Cyworld Digital Music Awards
2010
Best OST Award
Cyworld Digital Music Awards
2011
Digital Bonsang (Nominated)
Golden Disc Awards
2010
Popularity Award (Nominated)
Golden Disc Awards
2010
Album Bonsang for Here I Am (Nominated)
Golden Disc Awards
2017
Special Song OST Award (Nominated)
Melon Music Awards
2010
Best New Actor Award for Spamalot (Nominated)
The Musical Awards
2011
Did You Know?
Trivia & Fun Facts ✨
★
Yesung was born in Seoul but moved to Cheonan, South Chungcheong, at age 10.
★
His stage name means "vocal cords of an artist," reflecting his emotive singing style.
★
He legally changed his name from Kim Jong-woon to Kim Kang-hoon at his mother's suggestion.
★
Yesung has a younger brother, Kim Jong-jin, with whom he co-owns the café Mouse Rabbit Coffee.
★
He is an avid basketball fan and played on his elementary school's basketball team.
★
Yesung has small hands and fingers compared to the other Super Junior members.
★
He has publicly said he is afraid of heights, despite performing on elevated stages.
★
He wears the same shoe size as his younger brother: 260-270 mm (EU 42-43).
★
Yesung is a self-proclaimed huge fan of the girl group Red Velvet.
★
He practices Catholicism.
★
He has owned several pets, including Pomeranian dogs Kkoming and Melo.
★
He previously kept two pet tortoises, Ddangkkoma and Morahaji, and donated one to Seoul's COEX Aquarium in 2011.
★
He often uses his social media to help find homes for stray dogs at risk of euthanasia.
★
Yesung appeared as a vocal trainer on the survival show Under Nineteen.
★
He is fondly nicknamed the "most bizarre" or eccentric member of Super Junior by fans and members alike.
★
Yesung has a vocal cord nodule history and underwent a related procedure in 2015.
★
He is a trained tenor and is considered one of the best live vocalists in K-pop.
★
He made his solo debut relatively late in his career, in 2016, after a decade with Super Junior.
★
Yesung starred as the lead in the musical Hong Gildong in 2010.
★
He hosted the radio show Kiss the Radio (Sukira) as a temporary DJ in 2011.
★
Yesung injured his leg during a 70km charity marathon in 2008 but still appeared onstage on crutches.
★
He fell from a 1.5-meter stage during Music Bank rehearsals in August 2008 and was hospitalized.
★
Yesung appeared in the New York Times' coverage of SM Town's 2011 Madison Square Garden concert.
★
He released his first full Korean studio album, Sensory Flows, in 2023 - relatively late compared to his EPs.
★
Yesung is fluent in performing both ballads and up-tempo city pop, showcasing wide musical versatility.
★
He is known among Super Junior members for his deadpan humor and unpredictable comments on variety shows.
★
Yesung's representative animal among fans is the turtle (거북이), tied to his calm, steady image.
★
He launched his own YouTube channel, Yessay, in November 2022 to share more personal, artistic content.
★
Yesung has performed duets with SM labelmates including Luna of f(x) and Solar of Mamamoo.
★
He completed his first solo Asia tour, "Unfading Sense," from October 2023 to January 2024.
The Fandom
Fan Club & Fan Name 💜
Official Fan Name
E.L.F. (EverLasting Friends)
E.L.F. is the official global fandom of Super Junior, an abbreviation of "EverLasting Friends." The name reflects the group's promise that the bond between the members and their fans will last forever, no matter how the K-pop industry changes around them.
Official Fan Color
Pearl Sapphire Blue
Pearl Sapphire Blue represents trust, loyalty, and the everlasting connection between Super Junior and E.L.F. The deep blue tone is meant to evoke a sea of light at every concert.
Official Light Stick
Super Wand (Super Bong)
Officially named in 2018 to mark the group's 13th debut anniversary, the Super Wand glows in sapphire blue and is engraved with the "SJ" logo. A special-edition version with a hexagonal crystal top was teased in July 2025.
Fan Community Platform
Weverse & SJ Official Fancafe
Super Junior communicates with E.L.F. through the Weverse app and their official Daum fancafe, where members post updates, go live, and share behind-the-scenes content directly with fans.
Stay Connected
Social Media
Photos
Gallery 📷
