Ha Chun-hwa Reveals Near-Naturalization Offer from Japanese Wrestling Icon During Childhood

On 24 June 2026, veteran trot singer Ha Chun‑hwa celebrated the 65th anniversary of her music career while appearing on tvN’s variety program You Quiz on the Block. The episode, hosted by Yoo Jae‑suk, highlighted Ha’s early start and record‑setting achievements, and the singer disclosed a surprising chapter from her childhood.

Ha, who first entered the industry in 1961 at the age of six, is recognized as the youngest performer to release an album and debut, and she was listed in the Guinness World Records for her early success. During the interview, she recalled that at three years old she could sing 200 popular songs. “My aunts were trying to see how many songs I could sing, so they wrote them down, and I sang them all,” she said, a detail that underscores the extraordinary talent that led her parents to pursue formal training.

Her father, Ha Jong‑oh, played a decisive role in shaping her career. He moved the family to Seoul before Ha entered elementary school and enrolled her in the Dongwha Art Academy, a music‑focused institution located in the Dongwha Department Store in Gangbuk. “When I sang, all the department store people gathered. The buzz was tremendous,” Ha recalled. The academy’s environment and her father’s support helped her develop the skills that would later earn her national acclaim.

During the same period, a Japanese professional wrestler, Rikidozan (Mitsuhiro Momota), heard Ha’s voice and offered to bring her to Japan to train and raise her as a performer. The offer came with a stipulation: Ha would need to naturalize as a Japanese citizen. Ha declined the proposition, stating that she refused the naturalization condition.

The story illustrates the cross‑border interest in Korean talent during the 1960s and the complex personal decisions artists faced. While Rikidozan was a prominent figure in Japan’s post‑war entertainment scene, Ha chose to remain in South Korea, where she would go on to become one of the country’s most enduring trot singers.

In addition to her early achievements, Ha’s career includes a notable financial milestone. According to a report from Chosun on 24 June 2026, Ha surpassed contemporaries Nam Jin and Cho Yong‑pil in 1977 to become the highest‑earning entertainer of that year.

Ha’s comments on the naturalization offer were brief but clear. She did not elaborate on the reasons beyond the citizenship requirement, but the interview confirmed that she declined the opportunity and continued her career in South Korea.

The episode also served as a reminder of Ha’s lasting impact on the trot genre. Her early recordings and continued performances have kept the style relevant for new generations, and her 65th‑anniversary celebration underscores her longevity in an industry that has seen many changes.

The interview aired on tvN’s You Quiz on the Block on 24 June 2026 and was followed by a discussion among viewers and commentators about the challenges faced by young artists in the 1960s, the influence of foreign offers, and the importance of national identity in the entertainment industry.

As of now, Ha Chun‑hwa remains active in the music scene, performing at concerts and participating in television appearances. Her decision to stay in South Korea has been cited as a key factor in her enduring legacy as a trot icon.

The story of the near‑naturalization offer adds a new dimension to Ha’s biography, illustrating how early career choices and personal convictions have shaped her path and the broader narrative of Korean popular music.