Ha Dong-hoon (Korean: 하동훈; born on August 20, 1979), better known by his stage name Haha (하하), is a South Korean singer, rapper, variety show host and member of RGP. He is best known for being in the sitcom, Nonstop and for co-hosting two popular variety programs, MBC's Infinite Challenge and SBS's Running Man. He has also hosted his own show, titled "Ya Man TV" on Mnet in 2015.
Life and career
2000–2008: Debut and rising popularity
Haha was born on August 20, 1979, in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, West Germany and moved to Seoul, South Korea when he was an infant.[1] His parents are both Korean, with his mother holding a doctorate in psychology, and he has an older sister, Ha Ju-ri (하쥬리) who is a pianist, also with a doctorate.[3] Haha graduated from Daejin University, where he obtained a master's degree in Drama and Fine Arts.[4] He later signed to Seoul Records and debuted as a singer and rapper in 2001 with hip hop group, Z-kiri [ko]. Despite excessive promotion, Z-kiri failed to get popular and was quickly disbanded.[5]
In 2002, Haha became a co-host for the show, What's Up YO! alongside MC Mong and Jerome To. The three later became known as the "What's Up Trio" because of their strong friendship on-screen.[6] Haha later joined the main cast of the third season of Nonstop, a sitcom about a group of college students and their friends and family. He remained a part of the cast up until 2003 which managed to gain him recognition for his acting and comedy skills.[7] Haha later became the producer and presenter for his own radio show with MC Mong, known as Haha and Mong's Journey in 2004 for SBS Power FM.
After leaving Nonstop, Haha spent two years alongside singer Taw, to prepare and record his debut album titled, "The Beautiful Rhyme Diary". The album was released on February 18, 2005, alongside his debut single, "Love Song" but it failed to chart or garner popularity.[8] He eventually guested on X-man on May 22, 2005, and became popular for his imitations of close friend, Kim Jong-kook. His sudden popularity spike allowed him to become a regular guest for X-man, arguably the biggest variety show of that time.[citation needed]
Thanks to his rising popularity, Haha was added to the cast of MBC's Infinite Challenge by December 2005 as the part of the program's format changes under new PD of the program, Kim Tae-ho. By the time Season 3 aired in 2006, the concept and format of "variety & reality program" became very popular, and Infinite Challenge became the forerunner of many programs that followed with the same or similar format. Since December 2, 2006, the program has received the highest ratings of prime-time lineups for Saturday evening.[9] In his final episode before entering the service, Haha performed at a guerilla concert at Yeouido Park that was secretly organized by his fellow co-hosts.
He also returned as a guest for the sixth and final season of Nonstop in 2006.[7] In 2007, Haha released his second single, "You're My Destiny" which took samples from the song "Stand by Me" by Ben E. King. The single managed to reach number one on the Gaon Chart and he performed it on his Comeback Stage on Music Bank in November.[10] Haha later joined the show, Happy Shares Company as a co-host until February 2008.
2008–present: Military service, Running Man, and career in music
In February 2008, Haha temporarily left Infinite Challenge in order to serve his national service in the army. Previous reports had stated that he had been attempting to evade his military service. However, these reports were confirmed to be false and Haha's service had only been postponed.[11][full citation needed] During his service, he collaborated with a new group Davichi for their song "Love and War". After 24 months of serving the military, on March 11, 2010, he was discharged.[12]
Haha at press conference, Running Man Brothers' US Tour (Dallas, December 14, 2014)
After finishing his military service, Haha returned as a cast of Infinite Challenge following requests from his fellow co-hosts, Yoo Jae-suk and Noh Hong-chul.[13][unreliable source?] He also made regular guest appearances on Yoo Jae-suk's talk show Come to Play and was also the co-host of the Haha-Mong Show with MC Mong up until allegations sprung up that MC Mong had attempted to evade his military service.[12][unreliable source?] Since 2010, Haha is one of the co-hosts for SBS variety show, Running Man. On December 30, 2011, Haha received the award for "Best Entertainer" during the 2011 SBS Entertainment Awards[14] for his work on ''Running Man''. He also performed his single, "Rosa" during the award ceremony.
In 2012, he continued his musical career by collaborating on a mini-album, "Skull & Haha Ya Man",[15][unreliable source?][16] with fellow reggae artist Skull, who was previously with Stony Skunk.[17] The two performed one of its tracks, "Busan Vacance"[18] on several TV music shows,[19][unreliable source?][20][unreliable source?] and Haha performed the song along with other cast members during fan meets for the Running Man show.[21][unreliable source?] In 2012 he was also featured along with Gary, on their fellow Running Man cast member Kim Jong-kook's comeback album, "Volume 7 – Journey Home" in the song "Words I Want to Say to You".[22]
In 2013, Haha collaborated with Skull once again, on a single titled "돈암동 멜로디"[23] as well as an EP titled "REGGAErilla".[24] Also, Haha and his wife welcomed their first son, Ha Dream, on July 9 on that year.[25]
In 2014, he and Kim Jong-kook formed a musical duo, Running Man Brothers, and visited the United States for a concert tour, in July and December.[26][27]
In 2016, Haha collaborated with Skull on a single titled "Love Inside", featuring Stephen Marley.[28] The song ranked in the top ten of a Jamaican video chart when it was released.[29] He has 2 new variety shows: Talking Road and Rebound.[30] In addition, he will be hosting alongside Jeong Jun-ha for a new high school rap battle show, to be aired on Mnet in 2017.[31]
In 2018, Haha had decided to resign as the CEO of Quan Entertainment and his longtime manager, Jang Hyung-chul will be taking over the position.[32]
On December 8, 2021, Haha released his second extended play Gap, the first for 10 years since Quan Ninomarley A.K.A HaHa Reggae Wave in 2011.[33]
Personal life
On August 15, 2012, it was announced that he was going to marry South Korean singer Byul. The couple married on November 30, 2012.[34] The couple welcomed their first child, Dream, on July 9, 2013.[35][unreliable source?] Their second son, Soul, was born on March 22, 2017.[36] Their third child, a daughter, Song, was born on July 15, 2019.[37]
^ abRunning Man, Episodes 50 and 94. Haha mentions that he is from Germany by telling a German foreigner and the Running Man crew, respectively.
^출연진 소개 [About cast]. MBC (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 23, 2014. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
^Yoo, Ju-yeon (October 13, 2015). 하하 친누나 하쥬리, 샤이니 피아노 선생님…버클리 음대 출신. Sports Gyeonghang. Sports Gyeonghang. Archived from the original on December 27, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
^하하(하동훈) 가수 (in Korean). Naver. December 28, 2011. Archived from the original on December 27, 2020. Retrieved December 28, 2011.
^"Haha". KBS World. Archived from the original on December 27, 2020. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
^너는 내 운명 (in Korean). Bugs!. Archived from the original on December 27, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2011.
^Eun-hyang, Im (March 26, 2006). 군 입대 연기한 하하, '병역기피 아니다' [Haha's Military Enlistment 'Unable to Repatriate'] (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 27, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
^Lee Seul (December 8, 2021). 하하, 오늘(8일) 10년 만 EP '공백' 발매…악플 승화 수록곡 MV 공개 [Haha, today (8th) release EP 'Blank' for the first time in 10 years... Revealed MV for the song sublimated by malicious comments] (in Korean). X-port News. Archived from the original on December 8, 2021. Retrieved December 16, 2021 – via Naver.
^Yoo Jeong-min (July 18, 2022). 정준하·하하, 'DC 슈퍼펫' 한국어 더빙 참여 확정 [Jung Jun-ha and Haha confirmed to participate in Korean dubbing for 'DC Super Pet'] (in Korean). iMBC. Retrieved July 18, 2022 – via Naver.
^Baek, Seung-hoon (October 13, 2023). 유재석→주우재, '연인' 12회 특별 출연한다 [Yoo Jae Suk→Joo Woo Jae, 'My Dearest' 12th episode special appearance]. MBC Entertainment (in Korean). Retrieved October 13, 2023 – via Naver.
^"'아이콘택트' 하하, 고정 MC 꿰찼다". kjdaily.com (in Korean). November 11, 2019. Archived from the original on December 27, 2020. Retrieved December 24, 2019.
^Lee Seul-bi (April 21, 2022). 오은영 "가운 벗는 순간 치료발(?) 떨어져…부부싸움 한다" (남남부부) [Oh Eun-young, "The moment I took off the robe, the treatment foot (?) fell... A couple fight" (South and South Korea)] (in Korean). Retrieved April 21, 2022 – via Naver.
^Hwang Ji-hyang (September 15, 2022). 하하, 신규 골프 예능 '파하하'로 골린이 탈출할까…22일 첫방 [Haha, will Golin escape with the new golf entertainment 'Pahaha'... First episode on the 22nd] (in Korean). Newsis. Retrieved September 15, 2022 – via Naver.
^Park, Ji-yoon (March 17, 2023). 하하♥별, 삼 남매와 가족 완전체 예능 출격...'하하버스' 4월 첫방 [Haha ♥ Byeol, three siblings and the whole family sortie... 'Haha Bus' first broadcast in April] (in Korean). The Fact. Retrieved March 17, 2023 – via Naver.
^Jang In-young (July 29, 2022). 하하·정다희 아나운서, '강변가요제 뉴챌린지' MC 발탁 [Haha and Jung Da-hee announcers selected as MCs for 'Riverside Song Festival New Challenge'] (in Korean). Newsis. Retrieved July 29, 2022 – via Naver.
^Yoon Hyo-jeong (November 4, 2021). 디즈니플러스 김종국·하하·지석진 중심 '런닝맨' 스핀오프 공개 [Disney Plus Kim Jong-kook, Haha, and Ji Suk-jin-centered 'Running Man' spin-off revealed] (in Korean). News 1. Archived from the original on November 4, 2021. Retrieved November 4, 2021 – via Naver.
^Kim Seong-hyeon (July 13, 2021). [단독] 박명수X하하 새 예능 '띄밟놈' 런칭… 첫 게스트는 전진 [[Exclusive] Park Myung-soo X Haha launches new entertainment 'Doo-Bam Nom'... The first guest is Junjin]. YTN (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on July 13, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
^Choi Hee-jae (August 4, 2021). 하하X정준하, 새 프로젝트 '바텀듀오'…"'무한도전' 이후 오랜만 [Haha X Jung Jun-ha, new project 'Bottom Duo'... "It's been a long time since 'Infinite Challenge'"]. Xports News (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
^Baek Seung-hoon (December 17, 2021). "'2021 MBC 연예대상', 올해의 프로그램상·베스트 커플상 후보 누구?" [Who are the nominees for the '2021 MBC Entertainment Awards', Program of the Year Award and Best Couple Award?] (in Korean). iMBC. Archived from the original on December 17, 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2021 – via Naver.
^Son Jin-ah (December 29, 2021). 유재석X이미주X하하, 베스트 커플상 수상 "생각 못 했는데..."[2021 MBC 연예대상] [Yoo Jae-seok X Lee Mi-joo X Haha, Best Couple Award "I didn't think..." [2021 MBC Entertainment Awards]] (in Korean). MK Sports. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
^Jang Chang-hwan (December 28, 2011). SBS, '연예대상' 17개 수상 부문 발표 [SBS announces 17 award categories for 'Entertainment Awards']. Naver (in Korean). Retrieved December 19, 2022.
