Super Junior member Kim Heechul surprised viewers by publicly apologizing to his former girlfriends after admitting he saw parts of himself in a relationship story on television.
His emotional moment came as he also continued to speak openly about the lasting effects of the serious car accident that changed both his career and personal life.
On the July 7 broadcast of JTBC’s “Love War,” Kim appeared as a panelist alongside special guest Lee Joon. The episode featured a couple struggling with their different personalities before a planned trip.
During the discussion, Kim explained that he understood why one partner was not expressing excitement about the trip because the man’s behavior reminded him of his own past. He described the experience as “mirror therapy,” saying it pushed him to think deeply about his previous relationships and recognize his own mistakes, Koreaboo reported.
Fellow panelist Lee Hyori responded by telling him, “Apologize to your ex-girlfriends.” Without hesitation, Kim stood up and delivered a sincere apology, saying, “I’m sorry. Are you doing well? Sorry.”
The unexpected moment quickly caught viewers’ attention as he publicly acknowledged his regrets.
Kim Heechul Opens Up About Life
Kim’s recent self-reflection comes as he has also been opening up about the physical and emotional struggles he has faced since his devastating 2006 car accident.
In a recent video uploaded to his YouTube channel, he revealed there was a period when he could no longer comfortably perform on stage because of his condition. After the accident, Kim suffered fractures to his thigh and ankle, underwent surgery that required seven metal pins to be inserted, and was later classified with a grade 4 disability.
Looking back at Super Junior’s Devil promotions, Kim admitted the diagnosis deeply affected him.
According to MaeilBusiness, he recalled wondering if his career as a performer had reached its end, saying, “Isn’t this the end of me as a dance singer?” He added that standing alone on stage became increasingly difficult because fear and pain never fully disappeared.
Kim also revealed he even thought about retiring from the entertainment industry. However, he said his agency strongly opposed the idea, encouraging him to continue working despite the challenges.
More recently, Kim has taken another important step by returning to driving after avoiding it for nearly 20 years following the crash. He shared that he hopes to one day drive his future child to school himself, showing his determination to overcome fears that have stayed with him for years.