Super Junior's Kim Hee-chul Mourns Loss of Beloved Cat, Heebum, After Nearly 20 Years

Kim Hee-chul (김희철), a member of K-pop boy group Super Junior, is mourning the loss of his beloved cat, HanJ Heebum (희범), who had been by his side for nearly 20 years. On the 4th, Kim personally announced Heebum's passing on social media, writing emotionally, “Our Heebum has gone to the cat planet.” Heebum was a pet that fans had watched grow up, and Kim's heartfelt announcement, despite his grief, brought tears and sadness to many fans.

Kim revealed that Heebum was born in 2006, noting, “She should have lived to 20? Or 21?” He admitted that saying goodbye to a family member who had been with him for so many years was not as peaceful as he had imagined. “In fact, I can't face it calmly at all, and I don't know what to do…” His words conveyed profound sorrow.

Initially, Kim had planned to quietly bid farewell to Heebum without making a public announcement. However, remembering the fans who had watched Heebum grow up, he ultimately decided to share the news. He stated, “I originally wanted to spend this time quietly without telling everyone, but I felt that Heebum was also raised with our fans…”

Kim also shared that while he couldn't fully know Heebum's feelings, those around him assured him that “HanJ Heebum (한제희범) lived a long and healthy life.” He thanked the fans who had consistently shown concern for Heebum, saying, “Thank you all very much.”

For long-time Super Junior fans, Heebum is not an unfamiliar name. Born in 2006, Heebum, a Russian Blue cat, was given to Kim Hee-chul after his major car accident, thus beginning a special bond that lasted nearly 20 years.

On August 10, 2006, after attending the funeral of Super Junior member Lee Dong-hae's (이동해) father, Kim Hee-chul was involved in a severe car accident near Dangjin IC in South Chungcheong Province on his way back. His car collided with the central divider. He suffered fractures to his left thigh bone and ankle, requiring 12 weeks of treatment, followed by surgery and a long period of rehabilitation.

It was during his recovery at the dormitory, after activities were suspended due to the accident, that a fan gifted him Heebum. For Kim, who was forced to halt work and undergo lengthy recuperation due to the sudden accident, Heebum became a constant companion, staying by his side for nearly two decades.

The name “Heebum” itself holds memories from Super Junior's early debut days. It was initially formed by combining “Hee” from Kim Hee-chul's name and “bum” from Kim Ki-bum's (김기범) name, a Super Junior member at the time. Later, Han Geng (한경), who lived with Kim Hee-chul and was close to him, and Jay from the band TRAX, were added, leading to the full name “HanJ Heebum.”

The deep bond between Kim and Heebum was also evident in a past incident. When a fire broke out below Super Junior's dormitory, even blackening the dorm, Kim saw Heebum still guarding their home. He revealed that a thought immediately crossed his mind: “At that moment, I thought, 'She and I will be together until the very end.'”

Heebum also made several television appearances, becoming a familiar “celebrity cat” to fans. In 2007, when MBC's program “Sunday Sunday Night – Economy Play” showcased Super Junior's dormitory, Heebum was featured, drawing fan attention. Afterward, Heebum frequently appeared on Kim's social media, gradually becoming a familiar face to Super Junior fans over the years.

As Heebum aged, her public appearances became increasingly rare in recent years. Reportedly, considering her advanced age, Kim deliberately reduced Heebum's exposure to cameras to avoid potential health issues and stress. When Kim shared rare recent photos of Heebum last year, it once again garnered enthusiastic attention from fans.

Now, as Heebum concludes her 20-year life, Kim has officially bid farewell to this “family member” who accompanied him through significant moments in his life, leaving many fans who watched Heebum grow up deeply saddened.