Broadcaster Haha and Oh My Girl's Hyojeong have become the new DJs for KBS Cool FM (Seoul area 89.1MHz).
On the morning of the 25th, a production presentation for the KBS Cool FM reorganization was held at the KBS New Building International Conference Room in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. Haha, Oh My Girl's Hyojeong, and the production team attended.
Haha will start a new show called 'Haha's Super Radio' at 2 PM every day, following the 'Music Show', to energize listeners. Oh My Girl's Hyojeong will follow Chungha and provide a pleasant evening with 'Oh My Girl Hyojeong's Raise the Volume' at 8 PM every day.
Kim Byeong-jin, head of KBS Radio Center, stated, "It's meaningful because it's not often that we give honorary employee IDs and business cards. It was a lot of effort not just for the production team but for many people to bring these two together. We paid a lot of attention and have high expectations. Haha is returning to radio after 16 years, so congratulations to him. We also welcome Hyojeong as a new family member. If I could make a small request, I hope the ratings will increase a little."
CP Kim Hong-beom commented on the KBS Cool FM reorganization, saying, "It's an old expression, but I think of it as the 'finishing touch'. Although we have received good evaluations, we have been criticized for having a somewhat weak core. This time, our goal was to strengthen that core. We aimed to completely change it to a new core. It has become very strong. When Haha was recruited, I was so happy that I felt our channel was finally complete. 'Raise the Volume' is a program that ranks first in its time slot. However, there was a disappointment with frequent DJ changes. This time, we invited Hyojeong, who loves radio, to be a long-term DJ. This has made the channel perfect."
'Haha's Super Radio', which airs daily at 2 PM on KBS Cool FM, is a cheerful and lively music entertainment program. Haha is making his radio comeback after 16 years since SBS's 'Ten Ten Club' in 2005. Fellow 'Running Man' members Ji Suk-jin, Yang Se-chan, and Ji Ye-eun are expected to support the launch in the first week.
PD Kwon Ye-ji of 'Super Radio' revealed, "On the second day I met Haha, he mentioned wanting to share a cheer song with listeners. That is the virtue of radio as I see it: to support listeners and become family. I thought I could work with Haha."
Regarding his return as a DJ after a long time, Haha said, "Radio has always been on my bucket list and was my dream. It was radio that allowed me to enter the entertainment industry. I listened to Lee Moon-sae's radio during my school days," adding, "I am grateful that people still remember me and welcome me. I feel a burden. I think I need to produce good results at a good time. I believe radio is a one-on-one conversation between the listener and the DJ. I will work hard to do this for a long time."
When asked if he received advice from Park Myung-soo, who hosts 'Park Myung-soo's Radio Show', he replied, "I met Park Myung-soo in Itaewon, and he said, 'Don't do it. This is not a place for someone like you.' Hearing that made me more determined, and I think that led to this result. Although we are from the same broadcasting station, I intend to engage in friendly competition within it. I plan to take half of the advertising revenue."
Regarding guests he would like to invite, he said, "I am known as a social butterfly, but my connections have dwindled since getting married. I think of stars and kids. I am from the '79 generation. I think of Noh Hong-chul, Yang Dong-geun, and Kim Jong-min," and added, "The members of 'Running Man' will appear. I couldn't say it myself, but the production team arranged it. I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude."
On whether Yoo Jae-suk will appear, he said, "I don't casually mention his name. I have to protect it," and added, "In fact, I can request it anytime. But I need to be confident to invite him. I want to invite him when I have built up enough credibility. If we achieve the number one ratings, I will definitely invite him. I've heard a lot about 'sucking up', but I want to invite him when I become perfect."
Haha stated, "This is my first time as a KBS radio DJ, but I appeared as a fixed guest on 'Lee Yvonne's Raise the Volume' when I was a rookie. So KBS Radio feels like my hometown," and added, "In the past, I had passion and enthusiasm, but now I want to do it with elegance. I want to be a DJ who can empathize with listeners in a more mature way than before. I am already a father of three. I know how important this time is for parents, so my goal is to be a DJ who can empathize, comfort, and support them."
'Raise the Volume' is a representative brand of KBS Radio that started in 1995, producing memorable star DJs like Lee Yvonne, Maybee, Choi Kang-hee, Yoo In-na, and Kang Han-na. Hyojeong, who debuted as the leader and lead vocalist of Oh My Girl in 2015, will communicate with listeners by adding musical expertise and entertainment fun following Chungha.
PD Oh Gwi-na of 'Raise the Volume' said, "Before recruiting, I thought of Hyojeong as an artist loved by various age groups. As the leader vocalist of Oh My Girl, she is popular among teenagers and twenties, and I thought her entertainment experience could appeal to those in their thirties to fifties. I asked my mom, and she said it was great, so I thought I could do radio with Hyojeong," and added, "When I first met Hyojeong, the pure enthusiasm that radiated from her eyes was impressive. It seemed like pure passion. I thought Hyojeong's energy would be more than enough to fill the volume, so I decided to do radio with her."
Hyojeong expressed, "I have many things I want to say to many people and many things I want to hear. I think I have opened the second act of my thirties by becoming a DJ. I look forward to the memories I will build with listeners. I want to hold this position for a long time. I will work hard to stay until I am no longer needed."
Regarding the reactions of Oh My Girl members, she said, "The members were very happy and proud. They know that I talk a lot. They said I would do well by filling it up. They also said my voice would suit it well," and added, "The members will appear in today's first broadcast. I am looking forward to their reactions."
On guests she would like to invite, she said, "I have friends. Lovelyz's Mijoo, Kara's Heo Young-ji, and Red Velvet's Seulgi are all from the '94 generation. I told them I would be doing radio. I hope they can brighten the show at least once. I am looking forward to it," she added.
[Shin Young-eun, Star Today Reporter]
