Kim Ryeo-wook

Kim Ryeo-wook, known professionally as Ryeowook, is a South Korean singer, songwriter, dancer, and musical actor. He is best known as a main vocalist of the legendary K-pop group Super Junior, a role that has defined his career since the group's debut in 2005. Born on June 21, 1987, in Incheon, South Korea, Ryeowook was recruited by SM Entertainment in 2004 after winning the CMB Youth ChinChin Festival. His powerful vocals and gentle stage presence quickly made him a standout member of Super Junior, one of the most influential acts in K-pop history.

Beyond Super Junior, Ryeowook has been an active member of sub-units Super Junior-K.R.Y. and Super Junior-M, showcasing his versatility across ballads, pop, and Mandarin-language tracks. He has also ventured into musical theater, starring in productions like The Goddess Is Watching and Altar Boyz. His solo career includes digital singles and contributions to drama soundtracks, such as Biting My Lips for The President. In 2024, he married former TAHITI member Kim Sun Young (Ari) after a five-year relationship. [edit]

Ryeowook grew up as an only child in Incheon, South Korea. He attended Deokwon Arts High School, where he honed his singing skills. His big break came in 2004 when he won the CMB Youth ChinChin Festival, a competition that caught the attention of SM Entertainment scouts. Shortly after, he signed with the agency and began training alongside future Super Junior members. His early years were marked by rigorous training in vocals, dance, and performance, preparing him for the competitive K-pop industry. [edit]

Ryeowook's career took off with Super Junior's debut in 2005. As a main vocalist, he contributed to the group's massive hits like SORRY, SORRY, Mr. Simple, and Bonamana, which solidified their status as K-pop icons. He also became a key member of the ballad sub-unit Super Junior-K.R.Y., known for their emotional vocal performances. Ryeowook's longevity in the industry is a testament to his talent; he has remained active through Super Junior's many albums, tours, and sub-unit projects. His solo activities include soundtrack work and musical theater, expanding his artistic reach beyond group promotions. [edit]

Ryeowook is consistently portrayed in media as the “gentle vocalist” with a warm, sincere personality. His aesthetic is soft, elegant, and slightly retro-ballad. Official fandom name for Super Junior is E.L.F. (Ever Lasting Friends); Ryeowook’s personal fan color is pearl sapphire blue. Fans are known for “Wookie” chants during ballad performances and sending large quantities of soybeans or soybean-related gifts as playful tributes. His social media voice is polite, grateful, and occasionally humorous in a self-deprecating way.[edit]

Kim Ryeo-wook stands as the emotional anchor of Super Junior, a bond forged through decades of shared history and a fanbase known universally as ELF (Ever Lasting Friends). While there is no standalone fandom name for him alone, the ELF community has adopted specific affectionate titles like "The Voice" and "The Golden Maknae," celebrating his vocal prowess with rituals that range from massive soybean tributes to handwritten letters sent directly to his home. His relationship with fans is defined by deep reciprocity; moments where he openly weeps during variety shows have become beloved lore, reinforcing the "Everlasting Friend" dynamic that sees supporters organizing charity drives and subway ads in his honor.

In the landscape of global celebrity metrics, Kim Ryeo-wook is currently evaluated by iFANN but does not hold a placement in the published Global Top 1,000 rankings or any Top-100 scope list. This status reflects a unique position where immense cultural resonance within the K-pop sphere does not translate to a numerical rank in the broader global engine. Despite this lack of a specific ordinal score, his influence remains palpable through viral moments like the "paper-thin powerhouse" joke regarding his physical frailty versus his stage strength, and the enduring legend of his voice recovery after a severe throat injury in 2013. Recent events, including a fall accident during a concert in April 2026 and his participation in Children's Day donations in May 2026, continue to fuel discussions about his resilience and philanthropy.[edit]

Known professionally as Ryeowook, he was born Kim Ryeo-wook on June 21, 1987, in Incheon, South Korea. He entered the industry after winning the CMB Youth ChinChin Festival in 2004 and made his acting debut in the film Attack on the Pin-Up Boys, earning a Best Supporting Actor Award nomination. Fans affectionately call him the "soybean prince" due to their tradition of sending soybean-related gifts. Beyond his work with Super Junior, he is a core member of the sub-units Super Junior-K.R.Y. and Super Junior-M.

A defining story in his mythology involves his legendary high note during the bridge of "Sorry, Sorry" at the 2009 Mnet Asian Music Awards, an event often cited by historians as the moment that cemented his status as the group's main vocalist. Another widely retold tale concerns his miraculous return to the stage following a severe throat injury in 2013, which fans view as a reflection of his dedication. More recently, folklore has grown around his vulnerability; after suffering a fall accident during a concert in April 2026, his immediate expression of self-blame for endangering safety sparked a wave of solidarity from the ELF community.[edit]

Ryeowook was raised as an only child. He married Kim Sun Young (Ari), a former member of the girl group TAHITI, in May 2024 after dating for about five years. The couple has no publicly reported children as of 2026. [edit]

Ryeowook is closely associated with his Super Junior bandmates, especially Leeteuk, Heechul, and Yesung, with whom he has shared the stage for nearly two decades. His spouse, Kim Sun Young (Ari), is also a public figure, known for her time in TAHITI. [edit]

Ryeowook's public dating history is relatively private. His only confirmed relationship is with Kim Sun Young (Ari), a former member of the girl group TAHITI. The couple began dating around 2019 and kept their relationship low-key. They married in May 2024 in a private ceremony attended by family and close friends. As of 2026, Ryeowook is married to Kim Sun Young (Ari). [edit]

As things stand in 2026, per iFANN's editorial analysis, Kim Ryeo-wook's net worth is estimated at $10 Million. His primary income streams originate from his long-running career with Super Junior, encompassing album sales, world tours, and merchandise revenue. The group has sold millions of albums globally and embarked on extensive international tours. Ryeo-wook also generates earnings from his solo projects, including digital singles and original soundtracks, alongside lucrative roles in musical theater productions. Additional financial contributions come from songwriting royalties and appearances on variety shows. His wealth has accumulated steadily since Super Junior's peak years in the late 2000s and 2010s, with his 2024 marriage having no discernible impact on his financial standing.[edit]

Ryeowook has received recognition for his acting with a Best Supporting Actor Award nomination for his role in Attack on the Pin-Up Boys. While specific award wins are not extensively documented, his group Super Junior has won numerous awards, including multiple Daesangs at the Golden Disc Awards and Mnet Asian Music Awards. [edit]