Coupang Play variety show ‘Kang Ho-dong’s Bookstore’
Actor Ha Jung-woo spoke about the dating rumors.
The Coupang Play variety show ‘Kang Ho-dong’s Bookstore’ welcomed Ha Jung-woo as its first guest on Friday the 6th, heralding the spectacular return of ‘MC Kang Ho-dong’ that the entire nation had been waiting for. Returning to a solo talk show for the first time in 13 years, Kang Ho-dong drew out Ha’s candid life stories with his trademark energetic questions and delicate empathy, becoming a hot topic.
Opening the doors of ‘Kang Ho-dong’s Bookstore,’ Ha Jung-woo introduced his life book, ‘Letters to a Young Poet,’ and began sharing stories about the various choices and dreams he had never revealed before. An actor, director, painter, and writer with a multifaceted identity, he unpacked people’s real-life struggles and bittersweet episodes with his signature humorous manner of speaking, instantly lifting the mood.
In particular, he drew attention by offering a frank stance on the recent dating buzz that has made headlines. When asked, “Are you happy?”, he answered, “I’m happy,” adding, “Dating isn’t anything strange; it’s just a bit embarrassing,” as he explained why he chose to make his position known.
Coupang Play variety show ‘Kang Ho-dong’s Bookstore’
His honest confessions did not stop there. Showing relatability by calling “a few bad investments” the choices he regrets most, Ha also opened up about his growth as a director, saying, “You can’t be full from the first spoonful, and there’s a period you inevitably have to go through to become a good director.” He then shared an episode about holding an exhibition in New York as a painter, eliciting a bittersweet laugh as he revealed that only one painting was sold.
After hearing all of Ha Jung-woo’s stories from his colorful life as an actor, director, writer, and painter, ‘Hocrates’ pondered how to set the price of his life book. In response, Ha joked, “Since we counted a special supplement today, that should be priced in as well,” revisiting the dating-episode anecdote he had mentioned earlier and ending with hearty laughs. In the end, ‘Hocrates’ handed Ha ‘Don Quixote’ as the price of his booksymbolizing life’s adventures and challengesand offered heartfelt encouragement: “Don’t forget that your value lies in dreaming, and always keep walking steadfastly down your own path.”
Blending the candid answers of top-tier guests with ‘Hocrates,’ the owner of the world’s cutest ‘Kang Ho-dong’ neighborhood bookshop, ‘Kang Ho-dong’s Bookstore’ is released every Friday at 4 p.m., exclusively on Coupang Play. Both Coupang WOW members and non-members can watch for free.
