Kyuhyun
규현 · 조규현 (Cho Kyuhyun) · Marcus Cho
Cho Kyuhyun — Main Vocalist · Maknae
March 2, 1988 Korean 178 cm 68 kg Type A ESFJ Aquarius
Kyuhyun is the main vocalist and maknae of Super Junior, one of K-pop's most influential boy groups, and the first member of the group to launch a solo career. Born Cho Kyuhyun on February 3, 1988, in Seoul, he joined SM Entertainment as a teenager and debuted with Super Junior in 2006, quickly becoming known for his rich tenor voice and precise high notes. He survived a serious car accident early in his career, an experience that shaped his determination to keep performing. Beyond Super Junior and its sub-unit Super Junior-K.R.Y., Kyuhyun has built an acclaimed solo discography, including the album Colors, and a respected career in musical theatre, starring in productions like Phantom, Frankenstein, and Ben-Hur. He is also a familiar face on Korean television, hosting and judging shows such as Single's Inferno and Sing Again. After leaving SM Entertainment in 2023, Kyuhyun signed with Antenna, where he continues to release new music while balancing group promotions with Super Junior. Fans, known as ELF, admire him for his versatility as a singer, actor, and entertainer, along with his sharp humor and down-to-earth personality. This profile covers Kyuhyun's biography, discography, musical theatre roles, awards, and fun facts, giving both new and longtime K-pop fans a complete look at Super Junior's most versatile all-rounder and one of the genre's most respected vocalists.
Story
Biography
Who Is Kyuhyun? Meet Super Junior’s Main Vocalist
Kyuhyun (born Cho Kyuhyun, February 3, 1988) is a South Korean singer, musical theatre actor, and television host best known as the main vocalist and maknae (youngest member) of the legendary boy group Super Junior. Since joining as the group’s thirteenth and final member in 2006, Kyuhyun has built a reputation as one of K-pop’s finest vocal talents, admired for his warm tenor tone, effortless high notes, and the emotional storytelling he brings to every ballad. Fans searching for the Super Junior main vocalist or the group’s maknae will find both titles belong to him.
From Trainee to Idol: Kyuhyun’s Debut Story
Kyuhyun’s path to stardom started when he placed third in a singing competition as a teenager, catching the attention of SM Entertainment. He joined the agency in 2006 and, only a short time later, stepped into Super Junior mid-promotion for the single “U” — an unusual and daring move that made him the only member added after the group’s official 2005 debut. Shortly after, he teamed up with fellow vocalists Yesung and Ryeowook to form the ballad-focused sub-unit Super Junior-K.R.Y., and in 2008 he joined the Mandarin-language sub-unit Super Junior-M as well.
Overcoming Hardship: The 2007 Accident
In April 2007, Kyuhyun was seriously injured in a car accident alongside several bandmates, suffering a fractured hip, broken ribs, and a collapsed lung that put him in a coma for several days. His recovery took months, but he returned to the stage more determined than ever — a chapter of his story that longtime ELF (Super Junior’s fandom) often cite as proof of his resilience.
Solo Career and Musical Theatre
Kyuhyun made history in November 2014 as the first Super Junior member to debut as a solo artist, releasing the mini album At Gwanghwamun, which swept Korean digital charts within hours. He followed it with acclaimed ballad EPs like Fall, Once Again and Waiting, Still, a chart-topping Japanese debut album One Voice, and, after departing SM Entertainment in 2023 to join Antenna, his first full-length Korean studio album Colors in 2024. Beyond music, Kyuhyun is a celebrated musical actor, having led productions such as The Three Musketeers, Catch Me If You Can, Phantom, Frankenstein, and Ben-Hur, plus an upcoming turn as Light Yagami in Death Note: The Musical.
Why ELF and K-Pop Fans Love Kyuhyun
Whether he’s hosting variety shows like Single’s Inferno, judging Sing Again, or headlining a sold-out musical, Kyuhyun consistently shows why he’s regarded as one of the most well-rounded idols of his generation. His journey — from a near-fatal accident to becoming Super Junior’s most decorated solo vocalist and a respected stage actor — continues to inspire both longtime ELF and newer K-pop fans discovering Super Junior for the first time.
Profile
Basic Information
| Stage Name | Kyuhyun |
| Full Birth Name | Cho Kyuhyun (조규현, Jo Gyuhyeon) |
| Date of Birth | February 3, 1988 |
| Birthplace | Hagye-dong, Nowon District, Seoul, South Korea |
| Hometown | Seoul, South Korea |
| Nationality | Korean |
| Height | 178 cm (5'10"") |
| Weight | 68 kg (150 lbs) |
| Blood Type | A |
| Zodiac Sign | Aquarius |
| MBTI | ESFJ |
| Education | Kyung Hee University (B.A. and M.A. in Postmodern Music) |
| Agency | Antenna (2023-present); formerly SM Entertainment / Label SJ (2006-2023) |
| Debut | May 27, 2006 (Super Junior); November 13, 2014 (solo, ""At Gwanghwamun"") |
| Languages | Korean, English |
| Nicknames | Evil Maknae, GameKyu, SkyKyu, Marcus Cho |
| Hobbies | Gaming, skiing, cooking, watching musicals, driving |
| Favorite Color | Blue |
| Ideal Type | A tall, short-haired woman with a warm heart, a good sense of humor, and shared Christian faith |
Membership
Groups & Positions
Super Junior
SM Entertainment (2006-2023) / Label SJ (2015-2023) / Antenna (2023-present)
Main Vocalist Maknae
May 2006 - Present
Super Junior-K.R.Y.
SM Entertainment / Label SJ / Antenna
November 2006 - Present
Super Junior-M
SM Entertainment
April 2008 - 2023 (inactive)
The Lineup
Group Members — Super Junior
Leeteuk
Leader · Vocalist
Heechul
Vocalist · Rapper
Yesung
Main Vocalist
Shindong
Lead Dancer · Rapper
Sungmin
Lead Vocalist · Lead Dancer
Eunhyuk
Main Rapper · Main Dancer
Donghae
Main Dancer · Lead Vocalist
Siwon
Vocalist · Visual
Ryeowook
Main Vocalist
Kyuhyun
Main Vocalist · Maknae
This Idol
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)
Journey
Career Timeline
2005
Discovered by SM Entertainment
Placed third in the Chin Chin Singing Competition as a teenager and was scouted by SM Entertainment shortly after.
2006
Joined Super Junior
Officially debuted as Super Junior's thirteenth and final member during the group's ""U"" promotions on May 27, 2006.
2006
Formed Super Junior-K.R.Y.
Teamed up with fellow vocalists Yesung and Ryeowook to form the ballad-focused sub-unit Super Junior-K.R.Y.
2007
Survived a serious car accident
Suffered a fractured hip, broken ribs and a collapsed lung after the car carrying him and three other members crashed, spending 78 days recovering in hospital.
2008
Debuted with Super Junior-M
Joined Super Junior's Mandarin-language sub-unit for its China-focused debut with the single ""U.""
2010
First musical role
Played D'Artagnan in the Korean production of ""The Three Musketeers,"" marking his stage-acting debut.
2012
Starred in Catch Me If You Can
Played Frank Abagnale Jr. in the Korean run of the Broadway musical, sharing the role with SHINee's Key.
2013
Graduated from Kyung Hee University
Earned his bachelor's degree in Postmodern Music while balancing academics with his idol career.
2014
Solo debut
Released debut mini album ""At Gwanghwamun"" on November 13, 2014, becoming the first Super Junior member to go solo.
2016
Vocal cord surgery
Underwent surgery for vocal cord nodules and paused activities to protect and recover his voice.
2017
Began military service
Enlisted for mandatory military service on May 25, 2017, serving as a social service worker.
2019
Discharged and returned to music
Completed his military service on May 7, 2019, and released the single ""Time with You"" along with the EP ""The Day We Meet Again.""
2019
Won King of Mask Singer
Earned five consecutive wins as masked contestant ""Jinie,"" becoming the first male idol to claim the show's title.
2021
Starred in Phantom
Took on the title role in the Korean musical adaptation of ""The Phantom of the Opera.""
2023
Signed with Antenna
Left SM Entertainment after 17 years and joined Antenna as his new agency.
2024
Released ""Colors""
Released his first full-length Korean studio album to mark his tenth solo debut anniversary, followed by an Asia tour of the same name.
2025
Released ""The Classic"" EP
Returned with a new mini album featuring the title track ""Like Our First Snow.""
2026
Joined Death Note: The Musical
Cast as Light Yagami in the musical adaptation of the anime series, staged in Seoul.
Music
Discography
🎵
At Gwanghwamun
Mini Album
2014
🎵
Fall, Once Again
Mini Album
2015
🎵
Waiting, Still
Mini Album
2016
🎵
The Day We Meet Again
EP
2019
🎵
Love Story (4 Season Project 季)
Mini Album
2022
🎵
Restart
EP
2024
🎵
Colors
Studio Album
2024
🎵
The Classic
EP
2025
💜
Sorry, Sorry
Studio Album
2009
💜
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 Road
Studio Album
2022
🎧
7 Years of Love
Digital Single
2009
🎧
Listen to You
OST Single
2010
🎧
Goodbye for Now
Digital Single
2017
🎧
Time with You
Digital Single
2019
🎧
Dreaming
Digital Single
2020
🎧
Daystar
Digital Single
2020
🎧
Moving On
Digital Single
2021
🎧
Coffee
Digital Single
2021
🎧
Together
Digital Single
2021
🎧
Unending Days
Digital Single
2024
Recognition
Awards & Achievements
Digital Bonsang - ""At Gwanghwamun""
Golden Disc Awards
2016
Global Best Singer
Huading Awards
2016
Musical Rising Star - The Three Musketeers
Golden Ticket Awards
2011
Best Newcomer Award
MBC Entertainment Awards
2012
Popular Star Award - The Three Musketeers
The Musical Awards
2013
Achievement Award (with Radio Star cast)
MBC Entertainment Awards
2017
Best Vocal Video - ""At Gwanghwamun""
SBS MTV Best of the Best
2014
Did You Know?
Trivia & Fun Facts ✨
★
Born in Hagye-dong, Nowon District, in northeastern Seoul, South Korea.
★
His family includes his father Cho Young-hwan, mother Kim Hanna, and older sister Ahra, a violinist who studied in Vienna.
★
Was initially urged by his parents to study law before a high school band performance revealed his singing talent.
★
Joined Super Junior mid-promotion in 2006, making him the only member added after the group's original 2005 debut.
★
Survived a serious 2007 car accident that left him with a fractured hip, broken ribs, and a collapsed lung, and required weeks of hospital recovery.
★
Is one of six Super Junior members who identify as Christian.
★
Is a tenor with a vocal range spanning about four octaves.
★
Became the first Super Junior member to debut as a solo artist, in November 2014.
★
Holds a bachelor's and a master's degree from Kyung Hee University, both in Postmodern Music.
★
His master's thesis examined strategies for expanding K-pop's popularity in the West.
★
Is one of the first four Korean artists to have appeared on Chinese postage stamps.
★
Underwent vocal cord surgery in 2016 to treat nodules and briefly paused all activities to recover.
★
Served his mandatory military duty as a social service worker from 2017 to 2019.
★
Won five consecutive rounds on King of Mask Singer under the alias ""Jinie,"" becoming the first male idol to take the show's title.
★
Hosted MBC's Radio Star for years before eventually stepping down as an MC after his military discharge.
★
Has starred in numerous Korean musicals, including The Three Musketeers, Catch Me If You Can, Mozart!, Phantom, Frankenstein, and Ben-Hur.
★
Left SM Entertainment in 2023 after 17 years and signed with the agency Antenna.
★
Released his first full-length Korean studio album, Colors, in 2024 to mark his tenth solo anniversary.
★
Is known among fans as the group's ""Evil Maknae"" for his witty, sharp sense of humor despite being the youngest member.
★
Enjoys skiing and has been nicknamed ""SkyKyu"" by fans for his enthusiasm for the sport.
★
Is an avid gamer, which is reflected in one of his longtime nicknames, GameKyu.
★
Served as a judge on the singing competition show Sing Again across multiple seasons.
★
Hosts the dating reality show Single's Inferno, which has run for several seasons.
★
Was cast as Light Yagami in a Korean musical adaptation of Death Note, set to run in Seoul.
★
Became a Taiwan tourism ambassador for two consecutive years starting in 2024.
★
Runs a personal YouTube channel called KYU TV, which he started after his military discharge.
The Fandom
Fan Club & Fan Name 💜
Official Fan Name
E.L.F. (EverLasting Friends)
Super Junior's official fandom name, E.L.F., stands for EverLasting Friends and was established on June 2, 2006, shortly after Kyuhyun joined and the group's permanent thirteen-member lineup was finalized. The name reflects the group's wish for a lasting, close bond with their fans rather than a typical idol-fan relationship.
Official Fan Color
Pearl Sapphire Blue
Pearl Sapphire Blue is Super Junior's official fandom color, chosen to symbolize trust, loyalty, and the long-lasting bond between the group and E.L.F. It has been the group's signature color at concerts and fan events since the fandom's founding.
Official Light Stick
Super Wand (Super Bong)
The official Super Junior lightstick, revealed for the group's thirteenth anniversary, glows in the fandom's signature sapphire blue and features the group's ""SJ"" initials on its body. It is a staple sight at Super Show concerts, where seas of blue light fill the venue during performances.
Fan Community Platform
Weverse
Weverse is Super Junior and Kyuhyun's main platform for connecting with E.L.F. directly through posts, live broadcasts, and membership content.
Stay Connected
Social Media
Photos
Gallery 📷
