Meet The Handsome Young Papa, Eli Kim
Eli Kim is a Korean-American celebrity and the main rapper of the Korean boy-group U-KISS under NH Media. Because he used to live abroad, he’s fluent in English and Chinese, making him one of the three English speakers in U-KISS. Besides his amazing skills in singing, rapping, and acting, Eli’s personal life is very interesting.
In 2015, Eli shocked everyone when he stated that he had already been married for a year to his 11-year-older girlfriend. They had been dating for 5 years prior to tying the knot, and at the time, Eli also said they were expecting a child. Eli’s statement received various responses from the public, until the agency decided to make an official statement to calm the fans. Curious to find out more about him? Let’s check it out!
Eli’s Profile and Facts
Full Profile
Real Name/Hangul: Kim Kyung-jae/김경재
Date of Birth: March 13, 1991
Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California
Zodiac Sign: Pisces
Blood Type: O
Height: 180 cm
Weight: 68 kg
Nationality: Korean American
Family: older sister Hannah, younger sister Minnah
Education: Ni River Middle School, Riverbend High School, Hanlim Art High School
Occupation: Singer, rapper, actor
Position (in U-KISS): Main Rapper, Vocalist
Sub Unit: Ubeat
Agency: NH Media
Years Active: 2008-present
Facts
- Although he was born in Los Angeles, California, he grew up in Washington D.C.
- His parents are Korean, but he is a 3rd Generation Korean-American idol
- He dropped out of high school and moved to Beijing, China, alone, at the age of 15 to pursue his dreams
- Unfortunately, his Chinese dream didn’t go well. He was scammed by his trusted senior, and his parents had to go to China to rescue him
- Eli lived on instant noodles and vegetable crackers worth 10 won (0.009 dollar) for about three months.
- Eli is fluent in English, Korean, and Mandarin
- He studied Taekwondo and Kung Fu in China
- His favorite color is purple
- He likes dragonfruit
- Eli is allergic to cats, but he has a Russian Blue cat named Munchy
- Along with AJ, Eli is a member of U-KISS’s sub-unit, U-BEAT
- Eli’s ideal type is a pretty girl with a sweet personality who’s a hard worker
Discography
All of Eli’s work is with U-KISS.
Studio Albums
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Korean | |
| Only One |
|
| Neverland |
|
| Collage |
|
| Japanese | |
| A Shared Dream |
|
| Inside Of Me |
|
| Memories |
|
| Action |
|
| One Shot One Kill |
|
| U-KISS Solo & Unit ALBUM |
|
| Link |
|
| Glory |
|
Music Videos
| Year | Title | Director |
|---|---|---|
| Korean | ||
| 2008 | “Not Young” | Unknown |
| 2009 | “I Like You” | |
| “Man Man Ha Ni” | ||
| 2010 | “Bingeul Bingeul” | |
| “시끄러!!” | ||
| 2011 | “Always” | |
| “0330” | Kim Young-hoon | |
| “Neverland” | Eun You Kim | |
| 2012 | “DoraDora” | |
| “Believe” | ||
| “Stop Girl” | Jang Pil | |
| 2013 | “Standing Still” | |
| “She’s Mine” | ||
| 2014 | “Only You” | Unknown |
| “Don’t Flirt” | Lee Duk Hee | |
| 2015 | “Playground” | Jimmy |
| 2016 | “Stalker” | Kim Yong-min |
| Japanese | ||
| 2011 | “Tick Tack” | Eun You Kim |
| 2012 | “A Shared Dream” | |
| “Forbidden Love” | ||
| “Dear My Friend” | Unknown | |
| “One of You” | Jang Pil | |
| “Distance” | ||
| 2013 | “Alone” | |
| “Inside of Me” | ||
| “Fall In Love/Shape of Your Heart” | ||
| 2014 | “Break Up” | |
| “Love On U” | Unknown | |
| “Sweetie” | Jimmy | |
| 2015 | “Action” | Jimmy |
| 2016 | “PaNiC!” | Yoo Sung-kyun |
UBEAT
Extended plays
| Title | Album Details |
| Should Have Treated You Better |
|
Singles
| Year | Title |
| 2013 | Should Have Treated You Better |
Filmography
Television Series
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Autumn’s Destiny | Junsoo (support role) | Thai-Korean drama |
| I am Legend | Guest Role [member of U-KISS] | ||
| 2011 | Real School! | Superior elite (guest role) | Sitcom (episode 12) |
| 2012 | K-POP: The Ultimate Audition | Guest Role [member of U-KISS] | |
| 2018 | KBOYS | ikemen cafe clerk (guest role) | episode 5 |
| 2019 | Full House | main role | Chinese drama |
Television Shows
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2009 |
|
| 2010 |
|
| 2011 |
|
| 2012 |
|
| 2017 |
|
Sudden Marriage and Personal Life
Eli Kim had some controversial moments in his life. At the age of 15, he dropped out of school and moved alone to China in order to pursue his dreams. He also studied Mandarin there. He studied Taekwondo and Kung Fu techniques for 12 years, opening the way for an opportunity to be cast in Chinese movies.
But, his life in China was not as well as people imagine. He was cheated by his trusted senior there, which left him living in poor conditions, as he only ate instant noodles for three months and finished the noodle soup by adding some cheap biscuits. His parents had to pick him up to save him from misery.
In South Korea, Eli just needed six months to become a member of U-KISS, which formed by NH Media and debuted in 2008. As he already gained so many fans, he shocked everyone by announcing his hidden marriage that had happened the previous year, on December 4, 2015. He made the announcement via his personal Instagram account, and also said that the couple was expecting a child. The controversial announcement left many fans worried, angry, and the other various responses.
His fellow U-KISS members, Soohyun and Kevin, comforted the fans on Twitter. The agency finally made an official statement which said that the news wouldn’t affect Eli’s activities in U-KISS promotion, and he would continue filming the Chinese drama, as well. Also, they asked people to stop leaving the hate comments, because he will soon be a father.
Wife
On August 30, 2016, Eli revealed his wife’s identity to the public on MBC Every1’s Video Star. She is Ji Yeon-soo, a car race model who is 11 years older than Eli. They had already dated for 5 years before they decided to be married. Eli revealed how he met his wife on SBS’s Honey. He said, “I first met her at a car community. When I saw her, I directly said to her that she’s my type, but she’s not attracted to me at all. I already asked her to go out for 1 year but she always rejected me. But, I keep expressed my true feeling to her and she ended to accept me as well.”
In the early years of their marriage, they struggled so much. They didn’t hold a wedding ceremony, but only registered it. Ji Yeon-soo revealed that before Eli announced their marriage, she had to hide her status and pregnancy because it would be harmful for her idol husband. She didn’t even go to the obstetrician/gynecologist to check on the baby. She only used a pregnancy test to check whether the baby was still alive or not. And then there was a time when her health was suffering, so Eli took the risk of announcing his marriage to the public in order to save his wife and child.
Eli’s parents said that they were disappointed in Eli because he hid his marriage all that time. Eli’s father said that when he heard the news, he was angry because he didn’t have a clue about the girl’s identity, but, he also said that there’s no other way but to give his blessings for their happiness.
Eli’s mother said that she was super shocked and didn’t want to eat for a week. She was against the marriage, due to the big age gap, but as soon as she saw Yeon-soo, she knew that she just looked like her daughter.
Three years after their marriage, Eli and Yeon-soo finally held the wedding ceremony. Even though the public against his marriage at first, over time a lot of support developed for his family. Some of his young fans left, but his pregnant and marred fans supported him. The type of gifts he received from his fans also changed, from clothes or shoes into baby clothes, milk bottles, and the other baby stuff.
Child
On June 8, 2016, Eli’s precious son was born. Eli and Yeon-soo named their first son Michael Min-soo Kim. Eli and Yeon-soo often update about their son’s activities in their personal Instagram accounts. They both look very happy and love their son very much.
Catch him up at @eli_kim91
Throwback to when he was in the US, meeting his favorite Power Ranger actor, Jason David Frank.
Looking so handsome and chill.
On the way to work for TV Tokyo.
New Year greeting from Eli Kim, showing the romantic lockscreen wallpaper of his phone.
Cute videos from Min-soo!
Latest News
In September, 2018, Eli and U-KISS officially released their Japanese comeback with their 15th Japanese single, titled Scandal. The physical album itself released on October 10, 2018, and contains two tracks, Scandal and Chair, with seven unique versions of every member.
Check this dope MV below!
