Ha Dong-hoon (; born on August 20, 1979), better known by his stage name Haha (), 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. His parents are both Korean. His mother has a doctorate in psychology, and he has older sister, Ha Ju-ri () who is a pianist, and who also has a doctorate. Haha graduated from Daejin University, where he obtained a master's degree in Drama and Fine Arts. He signed to Seoul Records and debuted as a singer and rapper in 2001 with the hip-hop group, . Despite being widely promoted, Z-kiri failed to get popular and quickly disbanded.
In 2002, Haha became a co-host on 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. He then was cast in 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 until 2003, allowing him to showcase his acting and comedy skills. Haha then became the producer and presenter on 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 entitled, "The Beautiful Rhyme Diary". The album, and his debut single, "Love Song”, were released together on February 18, 2005, but the single failed to chart or garner much popularity. He guested on X-man on May 22, 2005, and became popular for his imitation of his close friend, Kim Jong-kook. His sudden boost in popularity allowed him to become a regular guest on X-man, arguably the biggest variety show of that time.
Thanks to his growing popularity, Haha joined the cast of MBC's Infinite Challenge by December 2005 as part of some changes to the format of the show pioneered by the new producer, Kim Tae-ho. By the time Season 3 aired in 2006, the concept and format of "variety & reality program" had very popular, and Infinite Challenge was the prototype of many programs that followed. Beginning on December 2, 2006, the program received the highest ratings of prime-time lineups on Saturday evenings.The rating of Muhan Dojeon renewed again to its highest mark (Korean), Starnews. Retrieved November 26, 2006 In his final episode before starting military service, Haha performed at a guerilla concert at Yeouido Park that was secretly organized by his fellow co-hosts.
He returned as a guest for the sixth and final season of Nonstop in 2006. 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 the Comeback Stage on Music Bank in November. Haha 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 complete his national military service. Reports had claimed that he had been attempting to evade his military service. However it later turned out that these reports weren't true and that Haha's service had only been postponed. During his service, he collaborated with a new group Davichi for their song "Love and War". After serving in the military for 24 months, he was discharged on March 11, 2010.
Haha then returned to Infinite Challenge as a cast member following requests from his co-hosts, Yoo Jae-suk and Noh Hong-chul. He also made regular guest appearances on Yoo Jae-suk's talk show Come to Play and was the co-host of the Haha-Mong Show with MC Mong until allegations were made that MC Mong had attempted to evade his military service. Since 2010, Haha has been one of the co-hosts of the SBS variety show, Running Man. On December 30, 2011, he received the award for "Best Entertainer" during the 2011 SBS Entertainment Awards for his work on ''Running Man''. He also performed his single, "Rosa" during the award ceremony.
In 2012, he continued pursuing his musical career by collaborating on a mini-album, "Skull & Haha Ya Man", with fellow reggae artist Skull, who had previously been in Stony Skunk. The two performed one of its tracks, "Busan Vacance" on several TV music shows, and Haha performed the song along with other cast members during fan meets for the Running Man show. 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" on the song "Words I Want to Say to You".
In 2013, Haha collaborated with Skull once again, on a single titled "돈암동 멜로디" as well as on an EP entitled "REGGAErilla". Also, on July 9 of that year, Haha and his wife welcomed their first son, Ha Dream.
In 2014, he and Kim Jong-kook formed a musical duo, Running Man Brothers. They toured the United States in July and December.
In 2016, Haha collaborated with Skull on a single entitled "Love Inside", featuring Stephen Marley. The song ranked in the top ten of a Jamaican video chart when it was released. At that time he had 2 new variety shows: Talking Road and Rebound. In addition, along with Jeong Jun-ha, he hosted a new high school rap battle show on Mnet in 2017.
In 2018, Haha decided to resign as the CEO of Quan Entertainment and his longtime manager, Jang Hyung-chul took over the position.
On December 8, 2021, Haha released his second extended play Gap, the first since Quan Ninomarley A.K.A HaHa Reggae Wave in 2011.
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. The couple welcomed their first child, Dream, on July 9, 2013. Their second son, Soul, was born on March 22, 2017. Their third child, a daughter, Song, was born on July 15, 2019.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 2005 Love in Magic Park Dong-sunSupporting role 2006 My Boss, My Teacher Jin Soo Who Slept with Her? Ahn Myeong-seop Lead role Holy Daddy Ha Dong-hoon Lead role; Credited as Ha Dong-hoon 2007 The Friends Halibut Supporting role Happily N'Ever After MamboLead role; Korean dub voice-over 2015 MBC Chuseok Movie Special : Begin Again Dan Mulligan 2016 Life Risking Romance Cameo 2022 DC League of Super-Pets Ace / Bat-Hound Lead role; Korean dub voice-over
Television series Year Title Role Notes Nonstop Haha Lead role; Season 32012 Star Life Theatre Himself Aired from April 16 to 20 2015 A Girl Who Sees Smells Himself Cameo with Running Man membersTemporary Idols Lee Chan-Hyuk Cameo as Lee Chan-hyuk of AKMU 2018 Lovely Horribly Eul-Soon's ex-boyfriend Cameo (Episode 1) 2021 So Not Worth It restaurant customer where Jamie works Cameo (Episode 1) 2023 My Dearest Farmer Cameo (episode 12) 2024 My Sweet Mobster Pharmacist Cameo (Episode 1)
Television host Current programs Year Title Role Notes 2010–present Running Man Co-host Episode 1–present 2019–present MC Episode 13–present 2021–present The Playlist Main cast Episode 1–present 2021–present Hangout with Yoo Co-host Episode 102–present 2022–2023 High School Daddy HostSeason 1–3 2022 Oh Eun-Young Report - Southern Couple Host 2022 Pahaha Cast member 2023 Haha Bus with family
Former programs Year Title Role Notes 200203 What's up YO! Co-host Alongside MC Mong 200518 Infinite Challenge 200608 Music Bank Host Left in February 2008 to serve his national service 200708 Happy Shares Company Co-host 2010 HahaMong Show Alongside MC Mong201213 Haha's 19TV Mutiny Host Ended in April 2013 Porridge Making Woman, Undying Man Co-host Alongside Kim Ok-jung (Haha's Mother); ended in April 20132015 Himself Episode 1–12 Ya Man TV Host Episode 1–24 Law of the Jungle Member Episode 175–177 Brunei Hidden Kingdom SpecialBattle Trip contestant Episode 5–6, along with Hyun Joo-yup and Kim Seung-HyunXTM Rebound Regular player , formed a team with Kim Seung-Hyun 201617 Talk Road Co-host Also known as "Talking Road" or "As I Say"; Alongside You Hee-yeol; Episode 1–24; Season 1 ended in March 2017 2017 High School Rapper Alongside Jeong Jun-ha, Episode 1–8 Secret Variety Training Institute Episode 1 (Pilot variety); Alongside Noh Hong-chul 201718 Everybody is Dating Except Me Episode 1–122018 How Are You.MOV Episode 1–present, Alongside Yoo Se-yoon2019Shopping Cart Savior Cast Episode 1–4Earthian LiveCo-host Episode 1–12Na Na Land Episode 1–8, alongside DinDin and Lee Yong-jin Cast member Episode 1–12 Host Season 1 20192020 Rewind Team Leader Episode 1–242020 Career Counseling Host Ep. 1–4, with Hwang Kwanghee Episode 1–10Strong Friendship Cast Episode 1–10 Cast Episode 1–12 2021 The Return of Superman Narrator Episode 363 –382 Chick High Kick Cast Member Episode 1–12 Crazy Recipe Adventure Main Cast Episode 1–10 Quizmon Co-Host 2022 Riverside Song Festival New Challenge Host With Jung Da-hee
Web shows Year Title Role Notes 201719 Big Picture Cast Member Alongside Kim Jong Kook 2018Royale Adventure Member Episode 1–11 2021 Outrun by running man Cast Member Running Man spin-off 2021present Doo-Tap Nom Host with Park Myung-soo Bottom Duo with Jung Jun-ha
Discography
Studio albums Title Album details Peak chart positions KORGaon Album Chart positions: Quan Ninomarley A.K.A HaHa Reggae Wave: Acoustic Tuning Time: The Beautiful Rhyme DiaryReleased: February 18, 2005 Label: Pure Entertainment Formats: CD, digital download —Acoustic Tuning TimeReleased: March 22, 2012 Rereleased: July 10, 2012 Label: Quan Entertainment Formats: CD, digital download 35
Extended plays Title Album details Peak chart positions KOR Quan Ninomarley A.K.A HaHa Reggae WaveReleased: September 14, 2011 Label: Noah Entertainment Formats: CD, digital download 19 Gap () Released: December 8, 2021 Label: Quan Entertainment Formats: CD, digital download —
Singles Title Year Peak chart positions Sales Album KOR "Love Song" () 2005 — The Beautiful Rhyme Diary "Story of a Short Kid" () 2007 — Infinite Challenge Gangbyeon Road Concert "You Are My Destiny" () — rowspan="5" "It's Been 7 Years" (7년만이야) 2008 — "Yes, I Can't Sing" ()— "Hangover" () 2010 13 "You Are My Destiny 2" () 23 "How Are You?? Fine Thank You!!" (하와유?? 파인 땡큐!!) 2011 34 KOR: 277,732 Quan Ninomarley A.K.A HaHa Reggae Wave "Rosa" 47 KOR: 281,610 "Pat Pat" () 2012 34 KOR: 323,318 "Love" () 14 KOR: 517486Cumulative sales of "Love":
Acoustic Tuning Time "The Person by My Side" () 42 KOR: 203,742 "Acacia" () 82 KOR: 48,649 "Sexy Boy" () 2013 6 Park Myung-soo's How About This? "Super Weeds Man" () 8 Infinite Challenge Jayu-ro Song Festival "Brilliant Is..." 75 "$ponsor" () 2015 3 Infinite Challenge Yeongdong Highway Music Festival "White" () 2016 88 KOR: 25,689 1Love Winter "Shoot" () 3 Infinite Challenge Great Heritage "What Sub?" 2017 — "I Like It" () 2019 — Running Man Fan Meeting: Project Running 9 "Little Taekwon-V Song" () 2021— "Gap" ()— Gap "Ice Bottle" () 2023— "—" denotes releases that did not chart.
Commercials
2002: 700–5425 2003: OTTOGI CORPORATION 3Minute 2003: Binggrae 2007: Lotte Card CO., LTD. 2008: TriGem Computer Inc. 2010: Shinhan Financial Group Co., Ltd. 2012: SKY 2013: Coca-Cola 2013: BRINICLE 2014: Coca-Cola 2018: K-Fresh Zone (With Lee Kwang-soo)
Awards and nominations