[Exclusive Interview] Haru: “The Piano-Playing Trot Star Dreaming of Following Legends Nam Jin and Seol Woon-do”

“Right now, I think the most important value for me is just enduring.” 22-year-old trot rookie Haru was honest. Despite being in his second year and holding the title of the youngest winner of the ‘AM Plaza’ King of Kings, he is still pushing through. In an exclusive interview with MHN Sports on the 4th, Haru confessed, “Before the competition, I really felt like I wanted to turn off my phone and just rest for three days, or maybe even a whole week.”

“I’ve been running non-stop without time to organize my thoughts.”

Was it burnout? Haru shook his head. “It’s not burnout. Actually, it’s too early for burnout. I just didn’t have the time to clear my mind and reset my determination, so I felt I needed those moments for myself.”

He debuted in April 2024 with the trot idol group ‘Enix’, transitioned to a solo artist in October of the same year, achieved a 5-win streak on ‘AM Plaza’ from April to May 2025, and won the King of Kings in December. Now, he is gearing up for the finals of ‘Legend of the Nameless’.

“Because I’ve been running so fast forward, I needed some rest for my heart.”

But for now, he has no choice but to endure. “Since I’m only in my second year, I haven’t quite figured out how to balance work and rest or how to create some breathing room. Because I lack experience, enduring is all I can do right now.” Haru’s vision for the future is clear: the fusion of piano and trot. “I don’t think there are many male trot singers who sing while playing the piano.”

“While doing musicals and trot, I didn’t stop playing the piano entirely, but I did prioritize it less, so my fingers got a bit stiff. Recently, I tried playing the keyboard again on a competition stage, and it made me so happy.” That is when he realized, “There aren’t many male trot singers who play the piano while singing. I should do more of that and lean into my strengths.”

He has been playing since he was 7. “Playing the piano was so much fun, but creating things and composing on my own was even more exciting.” He mentioned there will be many more stages featuring his own compositions and piano performances. “I think there will be a lot. I’m preparing many such stages for the future.”

“I want to be a radio DJ… my strength is speaking softly.”

Haru is very interested in becoming a radio DJ. “Fans really like it when I speak softly, so I think I’d fit better with radio than a high-energy broadcast.” He is leaning more toward variety shows than educational programs. “I think variety shows suit me more than educational ones.”

While he wants to try MCing or hosting, now is the time to focus on his main job. “I just hit my two-year anniversary as a trot singer. Rather than other plans, I think it’s time to be faithful to my main career.”

“Can I follow in the footsteps of seniors Nam Jin and Seol Woon-do?”

Haru’s agency, Luce Entertainment, is home to trot legends like Nam Jin, Seol Woon-do, and Jo Jung-min. However, opportunities to meet them are rare. “We’re in the same company, but we don’t get many chances to meet. Maybe once a year at a company dinner.” He saw them once at a year-end dinner. “It was before I went on ‘Legend of the Nameless’, so I just ate quietly on the side… As a rookie, it’s quite pressuring to greet seniors or try to strike up a conversation.”

“It’s a huge stroke of luck that I can study the masterpieces of these seniors.” Even without direct contact, he learns from their music. “Since they have so many hits, there’s a lot I can study.” During a recent meal, Nam Jin encouraged him. “‘Haru, I see you on TV a lot. Work hard!'” he praised, which made Haru feel he needs to do even better. “I’m still a ‘baby’ trot singer, but meeting these great seniors is making my dreams grow. I’ve become more ambitious about whether I can truly follow in their footsteps.”

“Goal for 2026? Getting a good result in the competition.”

Haru’s goal for 2026 is clear. “Since I’ve been entering competitions, my goal for this year is simply to get a good result.” He always sets one big goal at a time. “Early last year, it was winning ‘AM Plaza’, and in the second half, it was winning the King of Kings. Now that I’m in a competition, my goal is to reach a certain top rank.” When asked what kind of singer he wants to be in 10 years, he answered cautiously. “Since enduring is the priority right now… I haven’t thought that far ahead. For now, it’s important to endure and achieve things one by one.”

“Nation’s Grandson? ‘Trot Little Prince’ feels more accurate.” Haru is often called the ‘Nation’s Little Brother’ or ‘Nation’s Grandson’, especially by middle-aged and elderly fans. He is receiving countless requests for singing classes. “Early in my debut, I attended over 100 singing classes in three months to gain stage experience. I think I grew a lot through that. Now that I’ve appeared on audition programs, all those places are asking me to come back, saying the mothers really miss me.”

Recently on ‘Legend of the Nameless’, he got a new nickname. “The Trot Little Prince. It’s not that I’m like a prince, but they gave me that image because my story is similar to the book ‘The Little Prince’. I’ll try my best to live up to that nickname.”

A 22-year-old youth who dreams of being a piano-playing trot singer and a radio DJ, and a rookie who wants to follow the path of Nam Jin and Seol Woon-do. Haru is enduring right now, believing that this perseverance will one day bloom into something great.

“When I was young, my mom worked a lot, and music was what comforted me whenever I was alone. Now, I want to bring that comfort to my fans through my songs. I hope everyone has a happy ‘Haru’ (day) with just one line of my lyrics.”

Haru will stand on the finals stage of ‘Legend of the Nameless’ on the 13th. Once again, he will sit at the piano and sing, thinking of his late mother.