“Being An Idol Is My Job, Not My Life” — Here’s Why Super Junior’s Heechul Wants To Stray From Idol Life

Super Junior’s Heechul and Yesung recently guested on Jo Hyun Ah’s Thursday Night.

They discussed their long-running career and time in the industry. The two are in their forties currently in South Korea, having debuted in 2005. Despite their age, they still look as young as ever. Of course, as time passes, the boys’ looks have changed naturally. Heechul divulged that when he was in his twenties, he absolutely loved how he looked.

When I was in my twenties, I wanted to kiss myself whenever I looked in the mirror. And every time we performed, I was so happy, and found myself so lovely. But now as I get older, I still do that, but I get embarrassed. It’s so embarrassing.

— Heechul

He also praised the other members for taking care of themselves so well. That is where he finds that he differs from the other members. While the other members continue to strictly maintain their idol image, Heechul wants to be free of that.

The members are so cool. They’re in their forties now. But it’s not easy for them to manage themselves [as well as they do]. It’s unbelievable. This is where Yesung and I clash. Yesung feels that even though we may be in our forties, fifties, or even sixties, since we debuted as idols, we have to maintain ourselves like idols. But I want to stray from being an idol.

— Heechul

He continued that being an idol is simply a job to him. It isn’t his entire life. This is why it is impossible for him to remain as pretty as he was when he was young.

Being an idol is only my job. It’s not my life. We talked about this a lot. And it’s not easy [to maintain my looks]. Because the visuals that the fans loved would have been from when I was in my twenties, but I can’t maintain that. It would be possible if I cut off alcohol and carbs, but I don’t have the confidence to do that. I feel like I’d lose my happiness.

— Heechul

Being an idol isn’t an easy job, and it certainly gets harder to maintain one’s looks while fighting against the gravity of time. Maintaining one’s visuals is practically a full-time job! It’s only natural for one to want to start loosening up as they get older. Regardless, we’re sure Heechul’s fans would love him either way.