Earlier, the production team of Knowing Bros announced that Kim Hee-chul would step away from the show starting from the May 9 broadcast due to health-related reasons. However, they emphasized that this is a temporary hiatus, not a withdrawal.

As speculation about his condition spread, Kim Hee-chul took to social media to clarify the situation himself. He explained: “I’ve been getting a lot of messages from people around me who are worried. I didn’t want to show viewers a tired or unfocused version of myself, so I decided to take a short break.”

The idol further revealed that overlapping filming schedules and international commitments made it difficult to maintain his condition: “With recordings and overseas schedules overlapping, it wasn’t easy to manage my condition. Rather than appearing inconsistently, I chose to take a proper rest.”

His honest explanation eased many fans’ concerns, framing the break as a proactive decision rather than a serious health crisis.

Kim Hee-chul also expressed his attachment to the show, calling it a meaningful part of his career: “*Knowing Bros is a very precious program to me.”*

Despite stepping away temporarily, his words strongly suggest a planned return once he recovers.

Meanwhile, comedian Kim Shin-young has officially joined the show as its first fixed female cast member since its debut in 2015—marking a major shift after nearly a decade.

The production team praised her impact, stating that she quickly energized the classroom atmosphere and blended naturally with existing members.

Kim Hee-chul also showed his support, saying that having Kim Shin-young on board allowed him to feel more at ease while taking his break.

With a longtime member stepping back and a new face joining the cast, Knowing Bros is entering a new phase—one that fans are watching closely as they await Kim Hee-chul’s return.

Sources: OSEN,JTBC