Kim Hee-chul Under Fire for Inappropriate Remark to Kwon Eun-bi on JTBC’s “Knowing Bros”
Super Junior’s Kim Hee-chul is once again facing backlash for his remarks, this time over a sexually suggestive question directed at guest Kwon Eun-bi on JTBC’s variety show Knowing Bros.
Inappropriate Remark to Kwon Eun-bi
On the April 12 broadcast, Kim asked Kwon, “What part of yourself are you most confident about?” to which she responded, “My face.” However, Kim ignored her answer and repeated the same question, with his tone and expression appearing to prompt a different response, one that many viewers interpreted as him fishing for an answer related to her body.
The moment quickly sparked criticism online. Viewers commented, “Why did he need to keep asking that?” and “These kinds of jokes about female guests need to stop.”
Kim Hee-chul has long been known for his blunt humor and eccentric persona, which helped him become a core cast member of Knowing Bros since its early days. However, over time, that same style has begun to draw criticism, especially for comments perceived as invasive or inappropriate, particularly toward female guests.
One of Kim’s recurring controversies involves his so-called “smoking jokes,” where he has implied or joked about unrelated female celebrities, like Jeon Hye-bin, Girls’ Generation’s Sunny, and LABOUM’s Solbin, being smokers. These remarks have been seen as unfounded and inappropriate, especially since smoking is a personal choice and Kim himself is reportedly a smoker.
When criticized, Kim has often dismissed the backlash, saying things like “I’ve been targeted by overly sensitive people” and “You can’t even make a joke these days,” responses that have only fueled the controversy.
Kim Hee-chul’s Controversial Comedic Style: Not The First Time?
This is not the first time Kim Hee-chul’s remarks have drawn criticism from fellow celebrities. In a 2017 episode of tvN’s Life Bar, he asked actor Lee Si-eon, “Should we edit out the part where you lived with your girlfriend?” The comment left Lee visibly uncomfortable, prompting actor Namgoong Min to interject and say, “That’s not funny. I think this type of talk should disappear.”
Namgoong Min further apologized for speaking informally and emphasized, “But I think this kind of joking needs to stop.”
Given Knowing Bros’ informal format, where guests and cast speak in casual tones and banter freely, the line between playful humor and inappropriate conduct can become blurred. However, changing social standards mean that entertainers are now expected to exercise greater sensitivity, especially when it comes to jokes that can be interpreted as sexual harassment. Many now believe it’s time for Kim Hee-chul to reflect on his role and adjust his comedic style to align with the evolving expectations of both the public and broadcasting industry.