Running Man host HaHa, also known as "Haroro" for his resemblance to Pororo the Penguin, used to be a playboy who continually confessed his love for pretty female guest stars.
But all that changed when he met and got engaged to South Korean singer Byul, whom he married earlier this year. Now a father-to-be, HaHa, 33, says his number one focus for the moment in on "working hard to be a good dad".
The funnyman will be here in Singapore on 20 July for a fan-meeting at Zouk with his music partner and reggae singer, Skull.
Skull is known in both South Korea and the US for fusing reggae with his own Korean culture and singing in his own version of a Jamaican patois (slang). He is signed under the label of Mariah Carey's brother, Morgan.
The duo recently released a new single, "Rappa Muffin" and will be promoting it at the meet-and-greet session.
In an e-mail interview with Yahoo! Singapore, HaHa shares more about his personal life, the K-pop industry, and, of course, the wildly popular Running Man, which has become South Korea's -- and maybe Asia's -- No. 1 variety show.
HaHa the family man?
First up, we ask the newly minted family man HaHa about his upcoming fatherhood and marriage.
He won't reveal if his baby is a boy or girl, saying that "it's a secret" and that he'll let us know when the baby is born, but is less coy when it comes to talking about his new wife.
"We were acquaintances for some time," said Haha, "But I've always known that I would marry her eventually."
That's a big leap from being a "childish", playful singer and rapper to down-to-earth dad. How does he feel about the 180-degree transformation of his life?
"Actually, I'm still getting used to the fact that I am going to be a dad. When the baby's born, it will all seem more real," said the German-born artiste.
"I am very nervous and working really hard to be a good dad. I am indeed pretty young at heart -- I stopped maturing after 20," said HaHa candidly.
He is equally open about how his music career, which was his original passion, did not initially take off but has experienced renewed popularity since he started hosting Running Man, earning him thousands of new fans.
"I've won first place in a music programme before, but I didn't make it big in the end. Some people in Korea don't even know that I am a singer," mused HaHa, whose music has strong Jamaican and Reggae influences is, inspired by Bob Marley, and has also led him to becoming friends with Skull.
Running Man used to be unpopular?
HaHa also shared that Running Man wasn't always the crazily popular phenomenon it is today -- in fact, together with the original cast members, HaHa went through some tough times which shook his confidence. These experiences helped the team bond.
"When Running Man was not popular in the beginning, we had many meetings to 'console' each other," reminisced HaHa.
"It was the first television show for Gary and Kwang Soo, so at first, it took them some time to get used to it. We drank a lot together. I was single so we could hang out a lot too. I miss those days sometimes."
He continues to stay close to the cast, especially MC Yoo Jae Suk, whom he describes as "my teacher, my role model and my brother, like a father to me".
Singapore fans who live in the hope that Running Man will one day shoot an episode on our sunny island -- don't give up.
"We are always ready (to come to Singapore to shoot). Personally, I hope that if we do a race in Singapore, I would be the main character," said HaHa.
"I want to have the opportunity to spend time with the fans and together with all the members, visit Singapore and meet you guys."
In the meantime, hardcore Running Man fans can get their fix when Haha and Skull come on 20 July.
Also appearing at the fan meet will be DJ IT, who has worked with heavyweights in the Korean music scene like Lee Hyori, YG Family artistes, Rain, Big Bang and Psy.
Tickets to HaHa and Skull's Singapore fan meet start from $88 for a regular category 2 ticket to $138 for a category 1 ticket, which will include entry to an autograph session, a poster and a photo-taking opportunity.
The free-standing event starts at 7pm, and tickets are available from EventClique at their website here.
Related links:
Running Man's HaHa and Byul get married
Running Man's Lee Kwang Soo coming to S'pore
Running Man's Sparta charms fans with soft side
Catch HaHa and Skull's video greeting for their Singapore fans below:
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