PINOY
Seoul, South Korea – Korean entertainer and singer Haha is having the time of his life. He is cast in variety shows “Infinite Challenge,” airing since 2005 and chosen in a Gallup Korea poll as the No. 1 TV show in South Korea; and “Running Man,” also widely popular among fans even outside South Korea.
Haha burst into the entertainment scene in 2001. He got maried in 2012 and became a dad the following year, something which changed his life forever.
“Before I used to be free and enjoyed my life. As dad now, I am the head of my family so I have a lot more responsibilities for them,” he told Bulletin Entertainment on Sept. 11 when we met at 401 Restaurant in Dongdaemun area along with nine other foreign journalists invited by the Korean Culture and Information Service (KOCIS) for the Invitational Program for ASEAN Journalists.
Haha is thankful for the support “Running Man” has been getting.
“We feel so blessed and lucky to be loved by so many fans...” he said. “All of us members realize that this is not because we are talented but because so many people are giving us so much love. We are really grateful to the fans.”
When Bulletin Entertainment told him Filipino fans are requesting for him to visit the Philippines, he said, “Whenever you invite us, I am willing to go there. Invite me and I’ll go there.”
As entertainer, Haha said, “It is really rewarding that I can make people laugh and smile. As an entertainer, it is more important to give more smile, joy and excitement to them.”
He works hard for his family, which is his top priority. Haha is loving husband to Korean singer Byul and father to two-year-old Dream.
“For me, they are more valuable than me. Now that I have my family, they are not even number one but number zero. I’m really thankful and I think it’s a miracle that has happened to me. They are a gift from heaven. This is one of the best things I’ve ever did,” he said.
As the journalists tried “samgyupsal” or grilled pork strips at his restaurant, Haha shouted, “Sama-sama. Mabuhay!”
He said he put up the restaurant at the urging of his two friends.
“The purpose and motivation when I opened this restaurant is that I had close friends when I was young. We were three friends. I wasn’t really into opening a restaurant but they wanted it so I said, ‘Why not?’
“When I’m working with people, I feel more sense of a family. Some of the people here, I’ve worked with them before. Since I opened 401, I can meet many people who visit my restaurant.”
Asked to share the secret to his successful career, Haha humbly said he doesn’t consider himself successful.
“That question really makes me shy because I’m not sure that I’m successful now,” he said. “However, I have to say that many people are giving so much love to me. I don’t think that’s because I’m so talented but because they just love me so I’m really grateful for that..I will do my best to give more joy...” He promised Filipino fans he will work harder. “Dear Filipino fans, I’m nothing but I’m so grateful and overwhelmed by the love that you give to me. For all the members of ‘Running Man,’ we are doing our best to pay back the love we receive from you. As a member of ‘Running Man,’ I will do my best to show you my good aspects and also as a reggae musician, I will show you a better side of me,” he said.