Actress Ha Ji-won has opened up about her return to a music broadcast stage after a 23-year hiatus, sharing candid reflections on the experience and her approach to maintaining her well-being. The interview took place at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, following the press screening of her new film, ‘Chronicle of a Blood Merchant’.
A Surprise Return to the Music Stage
Ha Ji-won’s recent appearance on MBC’s ‘Music Core’ performing PSY’s hit song ‘Gangnam Style’ marked her first music show performance in over two decades. This comeback was prompted by a promise made on her YouTube web variety show, ’26th Degree Jiwon’. She pledged to recreate the ‘Gangnam Style’ stage if a specific video surpassed 1.2 million views. The video’s overwhelming popularity led to the fulfillment of her promise.
The actress, who previously sang a version of ‘Gangnam Style’ for the OST of her 2003 film ‘Reversal of Fortune’, expressed gratitude for the warm reception. She admitted to being somewhat shy about the attention, especially regarding her performance, which drew praise for its energy and resemblance to her younger days.
The Challenges of a Long-Awaited Performance
Reflecting on the experience, Ha Ji-won confessed that making such a promise without fully considering her physical capabilities was a lesson learned. “I realized you shouldn’t make promises so carelessly,” she stated. “I tend to be someone who acts first and thinks later. When people ask if I can do something, instead of saying ‘I don’t think I can,’ I tend to say, ‘I’ll try!’ I’ve been like that since I was young.”
She elaborated on the physical demands, noting, “The reality is, my stamina isn’t what it used to be. But I always tackle challenges head-on and figure out the rest later, whether it’s my physical condition or practice.”
Describing the moments before stepping onto the stage, Ha Ji-won recalled a sudden wave of panic. “My mind went blank,” she said. “I’m not a singer who practices choreography for hours on end. I usually learn it in a short period for a specific project. Suddenly, with my mind blank, it felt like a scene from a movie. Before I even started walking, while trying to catch the rhythm for the short intro, I realized I wasn’t catching it. I thought, ‘What do I do? This is a disaster. I can’t remember anything, what should I do?'”
In that critical moment, she gave herself a pep talk: “Okay, Ji-won. Just be confident.” She continued, “I told myself, ‘If I make a mistake, it can’t be helped. Just make the mistake and move on. Focus on having confidence.'” This mindset helped her navigate the performance, even though she admits to forgetting parts of the choreography. “I decided that if I forgot a part, I wouldn’t panic or show it, and I’d just move on to the next part,” she explained.
Comparing Past and Present Performances
When asked about the differences between her performance now and 23 years ago, Ha Ji-won highlighted significant changes. “There are many differences,” she stated. “Back then, I went on the show for movie promotions, and I barely practiced the choreography. It was almost spontaneous. I think I only went to the choreography room twice? I don’t even remember clearly. I barely practiced and did it like that. It was quite chaotic.”
She further explained, “Since I was promoting a movie, I was so flustered, and I only practiced the choreography a couple of times. It felt like I was performing like a novice, so I felt I didn’t do well. I wished people wouldn’t bring it up so much, but they keep talking about it.” This recollection brought a smile to her face, tinged with a bit of embarrassment.
The Significance of the Ending Pose and Fan Support
Ha Ji-won also touched upon her ending pose, which became a topic of discussion. “I didn’t research or practice an ending pose, but people kept teasing me about it,” she shared. “The team behind ’26th Degree Jiwon’ and my manager told me the ending pose was important and that I should practice it, but I didn’t do it during choreography practice either. However, when I was actually filming, I was so grateful to my fans who came to support me. They were cheering me on, saying, ‘Unnie, we’re cheering you on!’ Seeing my fans, the ending pose just came to me naturally.”
She expressed deep appreciation for her fans’ dedication. “My fans aren’t like idol fans who practice cheering routines. But that day, to support my appearance, they came early in the morning and practiced their cheers. I was so thankful.”
Maintaining Appearance: A Focus on Fundamentals
When questioned about how she maintains her unchanging appearance, Ha Ji-won attributed it to a commitment to fundamental practices. “I’m thankful for such questions,” she began. “My routine is simply about sticking to the basics. I don’t easily trust recommendations from others. I prefer to experience things myself and, if I find something good, I stick with it consistently.”
She elaborated on her disciplined approach: “If I find a stretch that works well, I’ll do it consistently for 10, 15, or even 20 years. If I try a food and find it beneficial, I won’t just eat it once; I’ll continue eating it. If I find a skincare product that seems to improve my skin, I’ll apply it consistently. My personality is such that I develop long-standing habits through these consistent efforts, which contribute to my healthy appearance.”
The interview is set to continue in a subsequent part.
