Ellison Kyeong Jae Kim, known professionally as Eli, is an American singer, dancer, businessman, and member of U-KISS (유키스). He graduated attended Hanlim Art High School. He was born in Los Angeles but grew up in Washington, D.C.

When he was 15 years old, he quit high school and moved to China as a senior promised him a successful career there. He did not inform his parents and even signed a 15-year contract where the company kept 80% of the profits and he got only 20%. He suffered immensely as the senior he trusted scammed him and left him alone. His parents then flew to Beijing in order to save him.

He made his debut in August 2008 as the group's lead vocalist with their first mini-album, "New Generation". They were originally managed by Global H Media (글로벌에이치미디어, formerly known as NH Media).

In 2009, they had their breakthrough when the single "Man Man Ha Ni" from their EP "ContiUKiss" became popular in Southeast Asia. In 2011, they debuted in Japan with the single "Tick Tack" and became the first K-Pop group to perform in Colombia (in 2012) and the second to hold a concert in Mexico (in 2013).

In December 2015, he surprised fans and media when he announced he had married in June 2014 (something he hid from his parents as well). He married racing car model Ji Yeon Soo (11 years older than him) and welcomed their first son in June 2016.

In 2019, the agency announced that his contract had expired and he did not renew it before enlisting, so he had departed from the group. In November 2020, he announced his divorce and decided to return to the US.

In mid-2023, he returned to the group for their 15th anniversary reunion and held concerts in Japan and in South Korea. Then, in September of that year, it was announced that he had signed a contract with Tango Music (탱고뮤직) and had decided to re-join U-KISS for the first time since 2019.

The now 5-member group made a comeback in June 2024 with their 13th mini-album, "Let's Get Started".

(Source: kisskh) Edit Biography