On March 15, a video titled “(First Reveal) The Secrets Haha Witnessed About the Jo Dongari Hyungs Before Debut” was uploaded to the YouTube channel Jo Dongari. In the episode, Haha spoke candidly about his busy life and family while chatting with fellow entertainers.
Haha, who currently has three children, shared that his eldest child recently graduated from elementary school. Reflecting on his younger years, he joked that if he had not met his senior colleagues, he might have ended up in serious trouble. He even recalled how Yoo Jae-suk once joked that he could have “died somewhere on the streets” if his life had taken a different direction.
During the conversation, Haha also mentioned fellow comedian Kim Soo-yong, saying that he noticeably changed after quitting smoking. This led Haha to reveal that he himself stopped smoking four years ago.
According to the entertainer, the turning point came when his youngest daughter, Songi, became seriously ill.
“When my youngest daughter Songi was sick, I felt too ashamed before God,” he confessed. “I felt like I had lived recklessly and hadn’t really done anything meaningful. I thought that if I had to give up something I loved, it should be smoking.”
Haha added that he decided to quit completely out of fear that returning to the habit might somehow affect his daughter’s health again.
Haha’s youngest daughter previously battled Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare condition that can cause muscle weakness and even temporary paralysis. The family shared the news publicly in 2022, which sparked concern and support from fans.
Fortunately, the child later recovered fully, bringing relief to the family.
During the same discussion, comedian Kim Yong-man also shared his own experience with quitting smoking. He recalled a frightening moment when he woke up one morning but couldn’t physically get up and struggled to breathe for about ten minutes.
On that same day, he had been scheduled to host the MBC Entertainment Awards. While backstage, the late comedian Lee Ju-il appeared and made a heartfelt appeal to viewers, asking them to quit smoking.
Inspired by that message, Kim Yong-man immediately ordered herbal cigarettes and soon lost the desire to smoke altogether, though he admitted the temptation still returns occasionally.
Haha married singer Byul in 2012. The couple now have three children—two sons and a daughter—and often share glimpses of their family life with fans.
Through his story, Haha highlighted how becoming a parent and facing a child’s illness can profoundly reshape priorities, ultimately pushing him toward healthier choices and a new outlook on life.
Sources: Star News,Nate Entertainment
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