K-Pop Veteran Hwanhee Shines on ‘Radio Star’ with Honest Humor and a Trot Twist
On the latest episode of Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC)‘s variety talk show Radio Star, aired on the night of May 30, K-pop vocalist Hwanhee returned to the screen showcasing his wit, charm, and emotional depth. Appearing as part of the “Intelligent Cooperative Life” special alongside celebrity chef Yi Yeon-bok, actress Jang Shin-young, and long-time partner Brian, Hwanhee reunited with his Fly to the Sky bandmate after six years in what fans called a long-awaited full-unit comeback.
Beyond nostalgic chemistry, Hwanhee melted hearts with a touching story about his recent performance at the SM Town 30th Anniversary Concert. “I sang ‘Sea Of Love’ with Rize So-hee,” he said. “So-hee is so young but practiced really hard, and the performance was truly enjoyable thanks to her effort.”
The episode offered moments of laughter as Hwanhee and Brian shared anecdotes from their trainee days and life in shared accommodation, displaying a playful yet brotherly relationship. Their lighthearted banter contrasted beautifully with deeper admissions of mutual respect and lifelong support, emphasizing the strong emotional bond between the two.
Hwanhee also opened up about his unexpected leap into the trot genre. Recounting his journey on the competition program ‘현역가왕2’, he revealed, “I hesitated at first since I didn’t think trot was my genre. But when my mom said, ‘There’s not a single song of yours I can sing along to,’ I felt I had to try it for her.”
The challenge wasn’t easy, he admitted. “I practiced more than I did before debut. It was tough physically and emotionally, but I gained many fans—older women and men alike. Some people even told me it was their first exposure to trot through my songs.”
His efforts paid off. On ‘현역가왕2’, Hwanhee claimed an impressive eighth place in his first trot performance. Fans now affectionately call him titles like “Young Nam-jin,” “Trot Macho Man,” and “Trot Prince,” proving his cross-generational appeal.
With this new phase in his career, Hwanhee continues to evolve, blending sincerity, versatility, and vocal prowess—whether it’s K-pop ballads or classic trot rhythms.
