Ryeowook
려욱 · 김려욱 (Kim Ryeo-wook) · Nathan Kim
Kim Ryeo-wook — Main Vocalist
June 21, 1987 Korean 170 cm 58 kg Type O ESFJ Cancer
Kim Ryeo-wook, known as Ryeowook, is the main vocalist of Super Junior and one of the most technically gifted singers of K-pop's second generation. Joining the line-up just weeks before the group's 2005 debut, Ryeowook has anchored Super Junior's vocal sound for nearly two decades, both with the full group and in the ballad-driven sub-unit Super Junior-K.R.Y. alongside Yesung and Kyuhyun. Celebrated for his three-octave range and expressive falsetto, Ryeowook stepped into a solo career in 2016 with the EP The Little Prince, which topped Korea's weekly album chart, followed by Drunk on Love in 2019 and A Wild Rose in 2022. His solo work blends pop ballads with R&B and jazz-tinged arrangements, showcasing a side of his artistry distinct from Super Junior's dance-pop image. Beyond music, Ryeowook has built a notable career in musical theatre, taking on lead roles in productions such as Temptation of Wolves, High School Musical, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, and Fan Letter. He has also hosted variety and radio programs, including a stint as a Kiss the Radio DJ that earned him a KBS Entertainment Award. Ryeowook completed his mandatory military service between October 2016 and July 2018. In 2024, he married Ari, a former member of the girl group Tahiti, following a relationship the couple confirmed publicly in 2020. Fans, known as E.L.F., continue to follow both his group promotions with Super Junior and his solo and theatre work.
Story
Biography
Ryeowook, born Kim Ryeo-wook on June 21, 1987, in Incheon, South Korea, is a singer, songwriter, and radio DJ who serves as the main vocalist of Super Junior. He joined the line-up just weeks before the group’s debut on November 6, 2005, and later became the last member added to the group’s roster.
Ryeowook is also a member of the ballad-focused sub-unit Super Junior-K.R.Y. and Mandopop sub-unit Super Junior-M. Known for his three-octave range and frequent use of falsetto, he launched a solo career in 2016 with the EP The Little Prince, followed by Drunk on Love (2019) and A Wild Rose (2022). He has also built a career in musical theatre, starring in productions such as Temptation of Wolves, High School Musical, and Fan Letter.
Ryeowook completed his military service from October 2016 to July 2018. In 2024 he married Ari, a former member of the girl group Tahiti, after going public with their relationship in 2020.
Profile
Basic Information
| Stage Name | Ryeowook |
| Full Birth Name | Kim Ryeo-wook (김려욱) |
| Date of Birth | June 21, 1987 |
| Birthplace | Incheon, South Korea |
| Hometown | Incheon, South Korea |
| Nationality | Korean |
| Height | 170 cm (5'7") |
| Weight | 58 kg (127 lbs) |
| Blood Type | O |
| Zodiac Sign | Cancer |
| MBTI | ESFJ |
| Education | Deokwon Arts High School; Inha University (Theatre & Film) |
| Agency | SM Entertainment / Label SJ |
| Debut | November 6, 2005 (Super Junior, "Twins") |
| Languages | Korean, some English and Mandarin Chinese |
| Nicknames | Nathan Kim |
| Hobbies | Piano, keyboard, saxophone, singing, composing |
| Favorite Color | Not officially confirmed |
| Ideal Type | Christian girl with wavy hair, short, good singer, looks good in jeans |
Membership
Groups & Positions
Super Junior
SM Entertainment / Label SJ
Main Vocalist
November 2005 – Present
Super Junior-K.R.Y.
SM Entertainment
November 2006 – Present
Super Junior-M
SM Entertainment
April 2008 – Present (hiatus)
The Lineup
Group Members — Super Junior
Leeteuk
Leader · Vocalist · Rapper
Heechul
Vocalist · Rapper
Yesung
Main Vocalist
Shindong
Lead Dancer · Sub Rapper · Sub Vocalist
Eunhyuk
Lead Dancer · Sub Vocalist · MC
Sungmin
Lead Vocalist · Lead Dancer (on hiatus since 2025)
Donghae
Lead Vocalist · Lead Dancer · Sub Rapper
Siwon
Sub Vocalist · Visual · Center
Ryeowook
Main Vocalist
This Idol
Kyuhyun
Main Vocalist · Maknae
Han Geng
Lead Dancer · Sub Vocalist (China, left group 2009)
Kangin
Lead Vocalist (left group 2019)
Kibum
Lead Rapper · Sub Vocalist · Face of the Group (departed 2015)
Journey
Career Timeline
2005
Debuts with Super Junior
Joins Super Junior 05 just weeks before its debut, becoming the group's main vocalist.
2006
Forms Super Junior-K.R.Y.
Forms the ballad sub-unit Super Junior-K.R.Y. with Yesung and Kyuhyun, debuting with a Hyena OST track.
2011
Musical theatre debut in Temptation of Wolves
Takes his first lead role in a musical, Temptation of Wolves, alongside Park Hyung-sik and Lim Jeong-hee.
2016
Solo debut with The Little Prince; enlists for military service
Releases his debut solo EP The Little Prince in January, then enlists for mandatory military service in October.
2018
Discharged from military service
Discharged from the military on July 10, 2018, resuming group and solo activities.
2019
Releases second solo EP Drunk on Love
Returns with his second solo EP Drunk on Love, exploring jazz and R&B-influenced sounds.
2020
Confirms relationship with Ari of Tahiti
Publicly confirms his relationship with Ari, a former member of girl group Tahiti.
2024
Marries Ari
Marries Ari in a wedding attended by fellow Super Junior members Hangeng, Kibum, and Kangin.
Music
Discography
🎵
The Little Prince
EP
2016
🎵
Drunk on Love
EP
2019
🎵
A Wild Rose
EP
2022
💜
Super Junior 05 (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
Studio Album
2015
💜
Play
Studio Album
2017
💜
Time Slip
Studio Album
2019
💜
The Renaissance
Studio Album
2021
💜
The Road
Studio Album
2023
💜
Super Junior25
Studio Album
2025
🎧
Twins (Knock Out)
Single
2005
🎧
U
Single
2006
🎧
It's You
Single
2009
🎧
No Other
Single
2010
🎧
A-Cha
Single
2011
🎧
Spy
Single
2012
🎧
One More Time
Single
2018
🎧
House Party
Single
2021
🎧
Express Mode
Single
2025
Recognition
Awards & Achievements
Radio DJ Award – Kiss the Radio
KBS Entertainment Awards (2015)
2015
Best Supporting Actor (Nominated) – Attack on the Pin-Up Boys
Korean Movie Awards (2007)
2007
Musical Up and Comer Award (Nominated) – Temptation of the Wolves
Golden Ticket Awards (2012)
2012
Did You Know?
Trivia & Fun Facts ✨
★
Born June 21, 1987, in Incheon, South Korea, and is an only child.
★
Was the very last member to join Super Junior, added just weeks before the group's November 2005 debut.
★
Graduated from Inha University in February 2012 with a degree in Theatre and Film, the same year and major as fellow member Siwon.
★
Known for a three-octave vocal range and frequent use of falsetto in performances.
★
Can play the piano, keyboard, and saxophone; he learned saxophone during his military service.
★
Made his acting debut in the 2007 film Attack on the Pin-Up Boys, earning award nominations for his comedic role.
★
Formed the sub-unit Super Junior-K.R.Y. with Yesung and Kyuhyun in 2006, focused on R&B ballads.
★
Made his musical theatre debut in 2011 with Temptation of Wolves.
★
Has starred in numerous musicals, including High School Musical, Agatha, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, and Fan Letter.
★
Debuted as a solo artist on January 28, 2016, with the EP The Little Prince, inspired by the novel of the same name.
★
His EP The Little Prince was the first release under Super Junior's own label, Label SJ.
★
Enlisted for military service on October 11, 2016, and was discharged on July 10, 2018.
★
Hosted the variety program Enter-K and the music countdown show Super Idol Chart Show.
★
Confirmed his relationship with Ari, formerly of girl group Tahiti, in September 2020.
★
Announced his engagement to Ari via a handwritten letter posted on Instagram in March 2024.
★
Married Ari on May 26, 2024, in a ceremony attended by former Super Junior members Hangeng and Kibum.
★
Considered the second most outgoing member of Super Junior after Kangin, according to member profiles.
★
Has a distinctive mole on his right cheek that he often covers with makeup on camera.
★
Was one of the first Korean artists to appear on Chinese postage stamps, alongside four other Super Junior-M members.
★
Won first place on an episode of KBS's Immortal Songs 2 in 2012.
★
South Korean operatic soprano Sumi Jo praised his musicianship as "outstanding" after collaborating with him.
★
Received the Radio DJ Award at the 2015 KBS Entertainment Awards for his work on Kiss the Radio.
The Fandom
Fan Club & Fan Name 💜
Official Fan Name
E.L.F.
E.L.F. (Ever Lasting Friends) is Super Junior's official global fanclub, launched on May 31, 2006. The name reflects the bond between the members and fans, chosen to represent a friendship meant to last forever, through every era and every line-up change.
Official Fan Color
Pearl Sapphire Blue
Pearl Sapphire Blue is Super Junior's official fandom color, symbolizing loyalty, trust, and the long-lasting connection between the group and E.L.F. It lights up every Super Show concert in a sea of blue.
Official Light Stick
Super Wand (Super Bong)
Revealed in November 2018 for Super Junior's 13th anniversary, the Super Wand glows in the group's signature Pearl Sapphire Blue and bears the 'SJ' logo. A special edition version was teased in July 2025.
Fan Community Platform
Bubble / Official SNS
Members connect with E.L.F. through Label SJ's Bubble messaging platform as well as Super Junior's official Instagram, X (Twitter), YouTube, Weibo, and Facebook accounts.
Stay Connected
Social Media
Photos
Gallery 📷
