Kibum
기범 · 김기범 (Kim Ki-bum) · Bryan Trevor Kim
Kim Ki-bum — Former Lead Rapper · Sub Vocalist · Face of the Group (Super Junior, 2005–2015)
August 21, 1987 Korean 179 cm 58 kg Type A ISFP Leo
Kim Ki-bum, known by his stage name Kibum, is a South Korean actor and former lead rapper of the K-pop group Super Junior. Debuting with the group in November 2005 as one of its original twelve members, Kibum quickly stood out as "the face of the group" thanks to his striking visuals, appearing at the front of many of Super Junior's early photoshoots. Before he was even an idol, Kibum had already carved out a path as a child actor, debuting on-screen in the 2004 KBS drama April Kiss. After Super Junior's breakthrough third album Sorry, Sorry in 2009, Kibum gradually withdrew from group promotions to pursue acting full-time, a decision SM Entertainment and the group initially described as a temporary hiatus. That hiatus, however, proved permanent: in August 2015, Kibum announced that his contract with SM Entertainment had ended, formally departing Super Junior after six years away from its stages. Since then, he has built a career independent of the group, starring in Korean productions like Deep Rooted Tree and the war film Operation Chromite, as well as Chinese dramas including The Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils. Kibum has also appeared in variety programming such as King of Mask Singer and briefly ran his own YouTube channel, Yangban Kim Kibum. He has since moved between several talent agencies, including Clover Company and PA Entertainment. Despite his departure, Kibum has remained on good terms with his former Super Junior bandmates, attending group members' personal milestones such as Ryeowook's 2024 wedding.
Story
Biography
Kibum, born Kim Ki-bum on August 21, 1987, in Seoul, South Korea, debuted in 2005 as the lead rapper of Super Junior. Even before his idol debut, Kibum had already built a career as a child and teen actor, appearing in the KBS dramas April Kiss (2004) and Sharp 2 (2005).
After Super Junior’s third album Sorry, Sorry in 2009, Kibum stepped back from group promotions to focus full-time on acting, a hiatus that stretched on for years. In August 2015, he officially ended his contract with SM Entertainment, formally departing from Super Junior after not having promoted with the group since 2009.
Since then, Kibum has continued to work as an actor and television personality, appearing in Korean and Chinese dramas such as Deep Rooted Tree and The Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, the film Operation Chromite, and variety programs including King of Mask Singer. He has moved between talent agencies since leaving SM, including Clover Company and PA Entertainment.
Profile
Basic Information
| Stage Name | Kibum |
| Full Birth Name | Kim Ki-bum (김기범) |
| Date of Birth | August 21, 1987 |
| Birthplace | Seoul, South Korea |
| Hometown | Seoul, South Korea / Los Angeles, USA (moved at age 10) |
| Nationality | Korean |
| Height | 179 cm (5'10.5") |
| Weight | 58 kg (127 lbs) |
| Blood Type | A |
| Zodiac Sign | Leo |
| MBTI | ISFP |
| Education | Santa Monica High School (Los Angeles) |
| Agency | Independent / Not officially confirmed (formerly SM Entertainment, 2005–2015) |
| Debut | November 6, 2005 (Super Junior, "Twins"); April 21, 2004 (acting, April Kiss) |
| Languages | Korean, English |
| Nicknames | Not officially confirmed |
| Hobbies | Piano, acting |
| Favorite Color | Blue |
| Ideal Type | Not officially confirmed |
Membership
Groups & Positions
Super Junior (former)
SM Entertainment
Lead Rapper Sub Vocalist Face of the Group Actor
November 2005 – August 2015 (inactive in group promotions from 2009)
The Lineup
Group Members — Super Junior (2005–2009 line-up)
Leeteuk
Leader · Vocalist · Rapper
Heechul
Vocalist · Rapper
Han Geng
Lead Dancer · Sub Vocalist (China, left group 2009)
Yesung
Main Vocalist
Kangin
Lead Vocalist (left group 2019)
Shindong
Lead Dancer · Sub Rapper · Sub Vocalist
Sungmin
Lead Vocalist · Lead Dancer
Eunhyuk
Lead Dancer · Sub Vocalist · MC
Siwon
Sub Vocalist · Visual · Center
Donghae
Lead Vocalist · Lead Dancer · Sub Rapper
Ryeowook
Main Vocalist
Kibum
Lead Rapper · Sub Vocalist · Face of the Group (departed 2015)
This Idol
Kyuhyun
Main Vocalist · Maknae
Journey
Career Timeline
2004
Acting debut in April Kiss
Makes his television acting debut as young Han Jung-woo in the KBS drama April Kiss.
2005
Debuts with Super Junior
Debuts as one of the original 12 members of Super Junior 05, performing "Twins (Knock Out)."
2006
Leads MBC sitcom Rainbow Romance
Shares the lead role with fellow member Heechul in the long-running MBC sitcom Rainbow Romance.
2009
Steps back from group promotions
Is absent from promotions for Super Junior's third album Sorry, Sorry, later confirmed by SM to be focusing on solo acting projects.
2010
Stars in film Jumunjin
Stars in his second film, Jumunjin, playing a ghost in a countryside love story.
2015
Officially departs Super Junior
Announces via social media that his SM Entertainment contract has ended, formally leaving Super Junior.
2016
Stars in Operation Chromite
Appears in the war film Operation Chromite, based on the Battle of Incheon.
2022
Ends contract with PA Entertainment
Terminates his contract with PA Entertainment, continuing his acting career independently.
Music
Discography
💜
Super Junior 05 (Twins)
Studio Album
2005
💜
Don't Don
Studio Album
2007
💜
Sorry, Sorry
Studio Album
2009
🎧
Twins (Knock Out)
Single
2005
🎧
U
Single
2006
🎧
It's You
Single
2009
Recognition
Awards & Achievements
Not officially confirmed
Not officially confirmed
Not officially confirmed
Did You Know?
Trivia & Fun Facts ✨
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Born August 21, 1987, in Seoul, South Korea.
★
Moved to Los Angeles, California, at age 10 and attended Santa Monica High School before returning to Korea as an SM Entertainment trainee.
★
Was discovered by a talent agent in 2002 and recommended for SM's Starlight Casting System audition.
★
Made his acting debut in 2004, a year before his Super Junior debut, in the KBS drama April Kiss.
★
Was known as Super Junior's "cover boy," often placed at the front of early group photoshoots.
★
Has a younger sister named Kim Sae-hee, born in 1991.
★
Is a Christian and can play the piano.
★
His cousin is fellow actor and model Shin Dong-wook.
★
Shared the lead role in the 243-episode MBC sitcom Rainbow Romance with bandmate Heechul in 2006.
★
Appeared in Attack on the Pin-Up Boys (2007), the only film to feature nearly the whole Super Junior line-up.
★
Was absent from promotions for Super Junior's breakout single "Sorry, Sorry" in 2009, sparking early speculation he had left the group.
★
SM Entertainment confirmed in 2009 that Kibum remained a member but was focusing on solo acting projects.
★
Missed the Super Show 2 tour due to a foot injury requiring six weeks of rest.
★
Confirmed in May 2010 that he would not participate in the album Bonamana or further group activities for the time being.
★
Starred in the 2011 historical drama Deep Rooted Tree as Joseon scholar-official Pak Paengnyeon.
★
Took on Chinese-language leading roles in The Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils (2013) and Lucky Tianbao (2014).
★
Officially ended his contract with SM Entertainment on August 18, 2015, formally departing Super Junior.
★
Appeared in the 2016 war film Operation Chromite, based on the Incheon Landing.
★
Signed with Clover Company as an actor in June 2018.
★
Ran a personal YouTube channel called "Yangban Kim Kibum" starting in 2020.
★
Competed on King of Mask Singer in 2021 under the alias "Kicking Cha."
★
Signed with PA Entertainment in January 2022 before ending that contract in May 2022.
★
Remains on good terms with former Super Junior members, attending Ryeowook's 2024 wedding alongside Hangeng and Kangin.
The Fandom
Fan Club & Fan Name 💜
Official Fan Name
Not officially confirmed (associated historically with Super Junior's E.L.F.)
Kibum does not currently promote under an individual or group fandom. During his time as a Super Junior member (2005–2015), he shared the group's official fanclub, E.L.F. (Ever Lasting Friends).
Official Fan Color
Not officially confirmed
Not officially confirmed
Official Light Stick
Not officially confirmed
Not officially confirmed
Fan Community Platform
Not officially confirmed
Not officially confirmed
Stay Connected
Social Media
Photos
Gallery 📷
