Han-Na Chang explains 17-year variety show hiatus caused by Kang Ho-dong

Cellist and Seoul Arts Center President Han-Na Chang revealed on the MBC program 'Radio Star' on the 11th that an intense remark by Kang Ho-dong 17 years ago led to her long absence from variety talk shows.

Cellist and conductor Han-Na Chang has revealed the reason she did not appear on variety talk shows for 17 years, citing an intense remark made by Kang Ho-dong during a past variety show filming. The world-renowned musician, who has transitioned into the President of Seoul Arts Center, shared this unexpected variety show behind-the-scenes story, which drew laughter from the studio.

During the broadcast of the MBC variety program 'Radio Star' on the 11th, Han-Na Chang appeared alongside Kim Hyeon-cheol, Forestella's Ko Woo-rim, and Harimu. During the episode, Han-Na Chang recalled her appearance on the MBC program 'Golden Fishery – Knee-Drop Guru' 17 years ago and expressed her greeting to Yoo Se-yoon, who was also on the program at that time. She explained that said program was her very first variety show appearance.

However, the memory of her first variety appearance was not a light one. Han-Na Chang vividly remembered the words Kang Ho-dong spoke to her before filming began. She shared, "Before filming started, Kang Ho-dong said to me, 'Variety shows are done with sincerity. Let's go until the sun rises at dawn.'" It appears these words from Kang Ho-dong weighed heavily on Han-Na Chang as a variety show novice. She revealed, "That is why I haven't done variety talk shows since then," which caused laughter in the studio.

Even for a world-class musician, the variety talk show proved to be a challenging stage. In particular, Kang Ho-dong's unique, high-immersion hosting style and the filming atmosphere emphasizing "sincerity" left a powerful first impression on Han-Na Chang. As she returned to a talk show after 17 years, she recounted the experience playfully, revealing the unexpected reason for her long hiatus from variety programs.

During the appearance, Han-Na Chang also provided details regarding her inauguration as the President of Seoul Arts Center. "I suddenly received a call offering me the position of President of Seoul Arts Center," she recalled. "Having lived as a performer for 32 years, I was truly surprised by the unexpected proposal." For someone who has been active on the world stage as a performer and conductor, the new role as the head of a cultural and arts institution was an unexpected challenge.

The motivation behind accepting the presidency was her desire to give back to the cultural and arts community through her experience and international network. Han-Na Chang explained, "It was said that through the experience and network I have built worldwide, I could help Seoul Arts Center leap forward to become the world's best cultural and arts institution beyond South Korea." Her intention was to utilize the expertise and international foundation she built as a performer for the development of domestic culture and arts.

She also showed significant enthusiasm for her duties following her inauguration. "I want to go to work quickly. There are many things I want to do and many things I must do," Han-Na Chang emphasized. "The presidential term is three years. There is no time. I must act quickly." In particular, she revealed a specific plan to found an orchestra through a national audition. "There are many excellent majors, but they need a stage where they can continue as a profession. I plan to travel across the country to find them," she stated, expressing her will to expand opportunities for talented music students to work as professional performers.

Han-Na Chang took office as the 18th President of Seoul Arts Center this year. Setting the record as the first female president and the youngest president since the opening of Seoul Arts Center, she has begun a new journey from a world-class musician to the head of a cultural and arts institution. Along with her return to a variety talk show after 17 years, her stories regarding the past and her ambitions to leapfrog Seoul Arts Center into a global cultural and arts platform drew the interest of viewers.

Read the original (Korean)