Eli Kim Explained

Eli
Birth Name:Ellison Kyoung-jae Kim
Alias:Kim Koung-jae
Eli Kim
Birth Place:Los Angeles, California, United States
Birth Date:13 March 1991
Children:Michael Min-soo Kim
Module:
Embed:yes
Genre:K-pop
Instrument:Vocals
Years Active:2008–2019, 2023-present
Label:NH Media, Tango Music
Associated Acts:U-Kiss
Korean name
Hangul:김경재
Hanja:金炅才
Rr:Gim Gyeong-jae
Mr:Kim Kyŏngjae

Ellison Kyoung-jae Kim (born March 13, 1991),[1] better known by his stage name Eli, is a Korean American singer and rapper. He is a member of South Korean boy band U-KISS.[1]

Early life

Eli was born in Los Angeles, California to Korean parents. He spent most of his years in Fredericksburg, Virginia. He has a younger sister Minah[2] and an older sister Hannah. He attended Ni River Middle School and Riverbend High School in Virginia.[3] After dropping out of high school, he went alone to Beijing, China at 15 to pursue his studies, and also learned Mandarin. He trained in Taekwondo and Kung Fu for 12 years, opening an opportunity for him to be cast as an extra in a Chinese movie. He is fluent in English, Korean and Mandarin.

Music career

U-Kiss

See main article: U-kiss. Eli is the fourth addition to the Korean boy band U-KISS, which was formed by NH Media Entertainment in 2008.[4] They were launched in Power of Atamix in Japan alongside other Korean boy bands such as Paran.[5] They also debuted in South Korea days later.

On April 27, 2011, Eli and Kevin went to Hong Kong for a special street date with their Hong Kong fans for their show Star Date with U-KISS in Hong Kong special. This was sponsored by Binggrae, which aims to connect the fans all over the world to Hallyu stars to encourage cultural exchanges. The special was aired through Arirang TV on May 3.[6] [7]

On May 16, 2019, NH Media announced that Eli’s contract with NH Media had expired and he had decided not to renew it along with other fellow U-KISS member Kiseop.[8]

Other activities

Eli was one of the hosts for the variety show Raising Idol along with U-KISS member Shin Dongho, MBLAQ's Thunder and Shinee's Key.[9] He appeared on MBC's We Are Dating on December 24, 2010 where he showed his Casanova type of being a man.[10] He also hosted the segment "All About You" on Arirang TV's Pops in Seoul, along with fellow U-KISS members, Alexander and Kevin.[11] [12] He also acts as an MC in the show Fusion with Park Myung-soo under MBC which premiered on April 1.[13]

In November 2012, Eli along with NS Yoon-G were chosen to host a new weekly English show, K-pop Tasty Road on Olive TV (and on Mnet in the United States and various other countries). The show gives K-pop fans a sense of where Hallyu celebrities eat, play, work, and shop. The first episode was aired on November 10.[14]

Acting career

In January 2010, Eli and fellow member Kibum started their acting career in a Thai-Korean drama, Autumn Destiny,[15] with Thai actor Mario Maurer. Eli and Kibum's voices were dubbed since they could not speak Thai.

In 2011, Eli and fellow members Dongho and Kiseop were cast in an MBC sitcom titled Real School.[16] The trio acted in a 40-episode series, transforming into high school students who reside at an "English Village" in an attempt to face and crack their fear of speaking English.[17] [18]

In October 2014, Eli was cast as the male lead in a Chinese adaptation of the Korean drama Full House.[19]

Personal life

On April 18, 2011, Eli was injured during a rehearsal.[20] He fractured his right hand[21] and underwent surgery.[22] The hospital stated that it wouldn't be difficult for Eli to perform, and he managed to perform with a cast on his right arm.[23]

On December 4, 2015, Eli announced via instagram that he had been married for over a year, since June 5, 2014, having dated his wife, who is a model 11 years his senior, for five years. It was also announced that they were expecting a child.[24] His fellow members Soohyun and Kevin took to Twitter to comfort the fans about the surprising news of Eli's marriage news.[25] On December 6, 2015, U-KISS' label NH Media released a statement to clear up some questions. His label said that Eli's marriage would not affect his promotions with U-KISS and that he would continue filming his Chinese drama and asked fans to refrain from leaving hate comments, as he would soon be a father.[26] On June 8, 2016, Eli's son, Michael Min-soo Kim, was born.[27]

On August 30, 2016, Eli revealed his wife, Ji Yeon-soo[28] [29] [30] to the public on MBC Every1's Video Star. On January 4, 2017, Eli revealed his life as a husband and father by joining reality show, KBS's Mr. House Husband with his wife, Ji Yeon-soo and their son, Michael Min-soo Kim.[31] [32]

Eli announced his separation from Ji in November 2020, with Michael remaining with his mother while he is staying in the United States.[33]

Filmography

Television drama

YearTitleRoleNotes
2010Autumn's DestinyThai-Korean drama
2011Real School!Superior eliteSitcom (episode 12)
TBAFull HouseChinese drama

TV shows

YearTitle
2009
  • All About U-KISS
  • You Know U-KISS
2010
  • Midnight Idols With U-KISS
  • U-KISS Vampire
  • Chef's Kiss
  • Raising Idol (Dongho's English TA)
2011
  • Made in BS Japan
2012
  • K-pop Tasty Road
2017
2022

Notes and References

  1. Web site: PROFILE – U-KISS(ユーキス) Japan official website. ja. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120614225614/http://u-kiss.jp/profile.html. June 14, 2012. mdy-all.
  2. https://www.twitter.com/u_kisseli/status/130812569345720320{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
  3. Web site: Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the United States of America. Koreaembassyusa.org. March 26, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120426063006/http://koreaembassyusa.org/board/notice_view.asp?num=11028&page=4&dep_num=99. April 26, 2012.
  4. http://www.jpopasia.com/group/ukiss/ U-KISS – boyband – kpop
  5. http://www.casttv.com/video/jr0tqb3/2-years-of-kisses-080815-power-of-atamix-u-kiss-not-young-kibum-fancam-video (2 Years of Kisses) 080815 (Power of ATAMIX) U-Kiss – Not Young (Kibum Fancam)
  6. http://www.allkpop.com/2011/04/u-kisss-eli-kevin-go-on-a-date-with-their-fans-in-hong-kong Retrieved July 2, 2011
  7. http://www.allkpop.com/2011/02/u-kiss-eli-kevin-reveal-their-ideal-womans-traits U-KISS’ Eli & Kevin reveal their ideal woman's traits
  8. https://www.soompi.com/article/1324851wpp/u-kisss-agency-announces-departure-of-eli-and-kiseop
  9. http://www.allkpop.com/2010/03/dongho-eli-thunder-and-key-to-host-a-new-variety-show Dongho, Eli, Thunder and Key to host a new variety show
  10. http://www.allkpop.com/2010/12/u-kisss-eli-shows-his-cassanova-side-on-we-are-dating U-KISS's Eli shows his “Cassanova” side on “We Are Dating”
  11. News: U-Kiss to hold first concert in Philippines . Hicap, Jonathan M. . . May 3, 2010 . May 28, 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150529090432/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/people/2014/02/178_65281.html . May 29, 2015 . mdy .
  12. http://www.arirang.co.kr/TV2/Pops_AllAbout.asp?PROG_CODE=TVCR0102&MENU_CODE=&Page=2&Field=&Find= Retrieved July 2, 2011
  13. http://dazebaby.webs.com/whoareukiss.htm Retrieved July 2, 2011. U-KISS Eli to host Fusion
  14. News: NS Yoon-G and U-KISS′ Eli to Tour Star Restaurants in ′K-Pop Tasty Road′. Kim, Erika. enewsWorld. November 9, 2012. May 28, 2015. CJ E&M. https://web.archive.org/web/20150529111210/http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/20355/ns-yoon-g-and-u-kiss-eli-to-tour-star-restaurants-in-k-pop-tasty-road. May 29, 2015. dead.
  15. Web site: U-Kiss Members to Star in Thai Drama. KBS World Radio. January 11, 2010. May 28, 2015.
  16. http://www.allkpop.com/2011/01/teaser-for-real-school-starring-u-kiss%E2%80%99s-dongho-eli-and-ki-sub-revealed Teaser for “Real School” starring U-Kiss's Dongho, Eli, and Ki Sub revealed
  17. http://www.allkpop.com/2010/12/u-kisss-dongho-eli-and-ki-sub-to-act-in-new-sitcom-real-school U-Kiss's Dongho, Eli, and Ki Sub to act in new sitcom, ‘Real School’
  18. http://www.allkpop.com/2010/12/viewers-anticipate-real-school-in-mbcs-new-2011-lineup Viewers anticipate “Real School” in MBC's new 2011 lineup
  19. News: S. Korea, China to co-produce Chinese version of 'Full House'. Yonhap News Agency. October 20, 2014. May 28, 2015.
  20. http://www.soompi.com/news/ukiss-eli-breaks-hand-during-dance-practice U-Kiss' Eli Breaks Hand During Dance Practice
  21. http://koreanupdates.com/2010/10/18/coffee-break-news-u-kiss-eli-rushed-to-er-for-arm-injury/ [Coffee Break News] U-Kiss Eli rushed to ER for arm injury! – Korean Updates] . Koreanupdates.com (October 18, 2010). Retrieved on March 26, 2012.
  22. http://www.allkpop.com/2010/10/eli-of-u-kiss-to-receive-surgery-for-his-fractured-arm Eli of U-Kiss to receive surgery for his fractured arm
  23. http://www.allkpop.com/2010/10/injured-u-kiss-members-show-fighting-spirit-on-stage Injured U-KISS members show fighting spirit on stage
  24. Web site: Eli explains why he kept his marriage a secret. SBS Pop Asia.
  25. Web site: U-KISS' Soohyun comforts fans after Eli's marriage news. Allkpop.
  26. Web site: jennywill . Eli's label reveals his wife is 11 years older + U-KISS promotions will not be affected . . 2015-12-06 . 2020-01-18.
  27. Web site: U-KISS' Eli becomes first-time father with the birth of a baby boy. June 8, 2016. Yibada.
  28. Web site: U-KISS's Eli Shares Photos of Wife and Baby Son, Tells Their Love Story on "Video Star". August 30, 2016 .
  29. Web site: elliefilet . U-KISS Eli's wife revealed on 'Video Star' . . 2016-08-30 . 2020-01-18.
  30. Web site: yckim124 . U-KISS Eli's wife Ji Yeon Soo returns to work as a racing model after 2 years of break . . 2017-04-12 . 2020-01-18.
  31. Web site: UKISS's Eli Reveals Glimpse at His Married Life for the First Time on Reality Show. January 3, 2017 .
  32. Web site: yckim124 . U-KISS' Eli reveals his life as a husband and father on 'Mr. House Husband'! . . 2017-01-03 . 2020-01-18.
  33. Web site: Ex-U-KISS member Eli, wife Ji Yeon-soo divorce . Hicap . Jonathan . November 27, 2020 . . November 29, 2020.
  34. Web site: 쇼윈도 부부였다" 일라이X지연수, 이혼 2년 만에 재회…끝내 오열. Kang Seon-ae. We were a couple at the show window" Eli X Ji Yeon-soo, reunited after 2 years of divorce... finally cry. Seoul Broadcasting System. Naver. March 14, 2022. March 14, 2022. ko.