Chong Woon Kim was born on December 6, 1938 in Yongbyon, North Korea. He lived with his family, including his older brother Chong Se, and his older sister, Soonhee. In 1950, the Korean War broke out, and the family fled south, ultimately taking refuge in Seoul. Despite displaying a passion for singing, his parents dissuaded him from pursuing a career in music. Instead, he enrolled in law at Korea University where he met his future wife, Soon Han Yoon, a fellow law student. They graduated, married, and started a family. With their two small children in tow, Shiny and Mia, they decided to start a new life in Canada, where they had heard, from a friend, that opportunities abounded. In 1968, they became part of a small, seminal group of the earliest Korean immigrants. Chong Woon eventually went into business for himself, as the owner of retail outlets selling large electronics (and later, as the owner of a karaoke business.) They added to their family - their last child, Patricia was born in their new home of Toronto. Chong Woon was a devoted father and later, becoming a grandfather to Ashley, Brandon, Ethan, Biko and Elsie was a role he cherished.

After enduring a short, intense ordeal with cancer, Chong Woon passed away peacefully at Sunnybrook Hospital, surrounded by his loving wife, Soon Han, his three children and five adoring grandchildren.