Kim Chung-ha (Korean: 김청하; bornKim Chan-mi, February 9, 1996),[6] knownmononymously asChung Ha (stylized inall caps), is a South Korean singer, dancer and choreographer. She finished fourth inMnet's girl group survival showProduce 101, becoming a member of the resulting girl groupI.O.I. Following the dissolution of I.O.I in 2017, Chung Ha debuted as a solo artist with theextended playHands on Me.
Chung Ha was born as Kim Chan-mi (김찬미) on February 9, 1996, inSeoul. Known by her English name Annie Kim,[7] she lived inDallas, Texas, for eight years before returning to South Korea to become a singer. As a result, she speaks both English and Korean.[8] She graduated fromSejong University, majoring in dance.[9] She auditioned forYG Entertainment and was aJYP Entertainment trainee prior to joiningMNH Entertainment.[10][11] Kim trained for three years before debuting, and had been dancing for 6–7 years. She revealed that she almost quit attending dance classes at some point due to financial issues.[12] Now, however, she has become a famous solo artist and has become a representative of "Summer." She has received many love calls at summer events such as Waterbomb.[13]
From January 22 to April 1, Kim representedMNH Entertainment on reality girl group survival showProduce 101.[14][unreliable source?] She finished in fourth place and debuted on May 4, with the project girl groupI.O.I with the mini-albumChrysalis.[15] On June 10,YMC Entertainment revealed Chung Ha as one of the seven members of the group's unit group, slated to promote their second single, "Whatta Man", during the summer of 2016.[16] It was revealed that three teams were contacted to make the choreography for the single, but hers was chosen because it was deemed to be the highest quality.[17] The single was a commercial success peaking at number 2 on theGaon Digital Chart and on theGaon Album Chart, for its digital (downloads and streaming) and physical sales respectively.[18]
On June 30, it was revealed that Chung Ha would be having a cameo appearance on Korean drama,Entourage, along with groupmateLim Na-young.[19] On July 24, she was revealed to be a new cast member on dance survival show,Hit The Stage.[20] On August 17, it was announced that Chungha would be collaborating with groupmatesChoi Yoo-jung,Jeon So-mi, andDIA'sKi Hui-hyeon for the digital single,"Flower, Wind and You", which was produced by Boi B.[21][22][23] The music video was released onMBK Entertainment's YouTube channel. On December 21, MNH Entertainment confirmed that she would be debuting as a solo artist in the beginning of 2017 after wrapping up I.O.I's promotions.[24] On December 23, Chung Ha collaborated withHeo Jung-eun andHALO's Ooon for the holiday carol, "Snow in This Year", that was featured on the Korean drama,My Fair Lady.[25]
On January 10, 2017, Chung Ha was selected to be a host forEBS'Ah! Sunday – A Running Miracle. Chung Ha would show the public how to improve their physical fitness via jogging and would take a team of challengers under her wing for the show.[26] On April 21, she released her pre-debut single titled "Week", on the official M&H Entertainment YouTube account,[27] followed on June 7 by her debut EP, entitledHands on Me, with the lead track "Why Don't You Know".[28][29] Chung Ha subsequently featured inSamuel Kim's solo debut album entitledSixteen with the track "With U", and inBabylon's single, "La La La".[30][31] From September 3 onwards, she took overKisum as a DJ forEBS's radio programListen,[32] and on September 19, it was announced that she would be an MC for FashionN'sPlease Take Care of My Vanity alongsideSuper Junior'sLeeteuk andHan Chae-young.[33] On November 22, the first episode of her own reality show,Chung Ha's Free Month, was released on YouTube andNaverTV.[34]
Chung Ha released her second extended playOffset on January 17, 2018. The EP contains five tracks including the title track "Roller Coaster".[35] On June 26, MNH Entertainment confirmed that she would be having a comeback on July 18 with her third mini-album titledBlooming Blue, with "Love U" serving as the lead single.[36] Chung Ha became the ambassador for the Seoul International Architecture Film Festival in October of the same year.[37] It was announced on August 8 that she would join the project group consisting ofRed Velvet'sSeulgi,(G)I-dle'sSoyeon andGFriend'sSinB calledStation Young forSM Entertainment's project albumSM Station X 0. They released their single, "Wow Thing" on September 28.[38] Chung Ha collaborated withSuper Junior'sYesung with the song, "Whatcha Doin'", with the music video released on December 16.
On January 2, 2019, she released her single album,Gotta Go.[39] On January 9, Chung Ha won her first-evermusic program trophy on theMBC Music'sShow Champion.[40] She was featured inVIXX memberRavi's new single, "Live", which was released on February 18, 2019.[41] Chung Ha released her fourth EPFlourishing on June 24, 2019, alongside the music video of the lead single, "Snapping".[42] "Snapping" was placed first onShow Champion on July 3, 2019.[43][44] In August, she joined the soundtrack lineup for thetvN dramaHotel del Luna.[45] The track, titled "At the End", was released on August 3, 2019.[46][47] Chung Ha collaborated with Grizzly on the single "Run", released on August 22,[48] and with Mommy Son on the single "Fast", released in September for theJTBC Seoul Marathon.[49] In October 2019, Chung Ha collaborated with Indonesian rapperRich Brian on the single "These Nights".[50] The track serves as the single for88rising's second compilation album,Head in the Clouds II.[51] Chung Ha was featured in rapperChangmo's "Remedy" for his albumBoyhood, released on December 25, 2019.[52][53] For her accomplishments in 2019, Chung Ha was awarded the Producer of the Year and Hot Performance Award of the Year with "Gotta Go" at the2019 Gaon Chart Music Awards.[54][55] On December 12, 2019,Billboard published their list of the "25 Best K-pop Songs of the 2019", with Chung Ha's single "Gotta Go" ranked at number three.[56]Billboard described the latter as "Chungha fully embracing her stronger, more confident side; a side that's stayed consistent throughout her major year and can help guide her to even greater heights in the new decade". The single was also ranked hundredth onBillboard's "The 100 Greatest K-Pop Songs of the 2010s".[57]
2020–2022: Promotion in the United States,Querencia, andBare & Rare
In January 2020, Chungha collaborated withPaul Kim on the single "Loveship", which was released on January 21, 2020.[58][59][60] She was part of the soundtrack lineup for theSBS dramaDr. Romantic 2 with the track "My Love", released on February 4, 2020.[61][62][63] Chung Ha made her first comeback in 2020 with a new single, "Everybody Has" on February 29 as part ofMNH Entertainment'sNew.wav project.[64][65][66] On March 10, MNH Entertainment announced that Chung Ha had signed with American agency,ICM Partners, for her America and global promotions.[67][68][69]
In April, Chung Ha collaborated on thepop song "Lie" withTVXQ singerMax Changmin. The song was featured on Changmin's debut extended playChocolate and talks about the emotions exchanged between lovers who feel love in different intensities.[70][71] On April 27, "Stay Tonight" was released as a pre-release single from the singer's upcoming album.[72] The song debuted and peaked at number 9 on theGaon Digital Chart, and peaked at number 4 on theBillboardWorld Digital Songs chart.[73][74]
Chung Ha released the single "My Friend", which featuresph-1 and produced byZion.T on May 30, 2020.[75][76][77] She then collaborated withSprite on the promotional single "Be Yourself" on June 9, 2020.[78] The single was also part of MNH'sNew.wav project.[79][80] On July 6, Chung Ha released her second pre-released single, "Play".[81][82][83] Themaxi single which consists of the two pre-released singles, peaked at number 7 on theGaon Album Chart with 12,613 sales.[84][85] It was announced that Chung Ha would be a cast member inLaw of the Jungle in Wild Korea, the first domestic filming in the programme history due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[86][87]
Chung Ha made a soundtrack appearance for thetvN dramaRecord of Youth with the track "You're In My Soul", released on September 14, 2020.[88][89] She then collaborated with Danish singer,Christopher on the single, "Bad Boy". The live version was released on September 23 while the music video was released on September 25.[90][91] Chung Ha signed with88rising in November 2020. She then collaborated withR3hab on the single "Dream of You" released on November 27, 2020.[92][unreliable source?][93]
On December 7, it was confirmed that Chung Ha had tested positive forCOVID-19. All her activities were temporarily halted and she was in self-isolation.[94] She also missed the live press conference for the new showRunning Girls, but made appearance as her parts were shown in the premiere.[95] On December 21, it was confirmed that Chung Ha was an asymptomatic carrier, and had left quarantine after 10 days and was resting at home since December 18.[96] Chung Ha was set to release her first full-length albumQuerencia on January 4, 2021, but the release of the album was delayed to February 15, 2021.[97][98] The title track "Bicycle" with the music video was released on the same day.[99] Chung Ha was featured onRain's "Why Don't We", which is the title track for his thirdEPPieces by Rain. The EP and the music video was released on March 3, 2021.[100] Chung Ha and the members of I.O.I celebrated their 5th debut anniversary with a reunion live stream show called "Yes, I love it!" on May 4, 2021.[101]
On June 8, 2021, Chung Ha collaborated withColde on the single "My Lips Like Warm Coffee".[102] She then participated in the soundtrack ofOne the Woman with the single "Someday".[103] In October 2021, Chung Ha made a special collaboration with the dance crew LACHICA on the single "Bad Girl" for theStreet Woman Fighter Special.[104] On November 29, 2021, Chung Ha released the special single "Killing Me".[105]
On July 11, 2022, Chung Ha released the first part of her second full-length albumBare & Rare with its lead single "Sparkling".[106]
In January 2023, the agency confirmed that Chung Ha had decided not to renew her contract which will end in March.[107] On April 29, 2023, Chung Ha's contract with MNH Entertainment expired.[108] On October 10, 2023, it was announced that Chung Ha signed withJay Park's label More Vision.[109]
On March 11, 2024, Chung Ha released her firstdigital single albumEenie Meenie,led by the single "Eenie Meenie" featuring South Korean rapperHongjoong ofAteez. The single album also features the B-side "I'm Ready", for which Chung Ha released a dance performance video.[110][111]
On August 28, Chung Ha released the digital single "Algorithm", alongside a "Y2K-inspired" music video.[112]
On February 12, 2025, Chung Ha came back with the single "Stress", released alongside her fifth mini albumAlivio, which consisted of eight tracks including a duet with fellow K-pop soloistSunmi.[113]
Chung Ha has stated singer-songwriterIU is her role model as she admires the way the soloist is able to sing, dance, and perform various other things.[114] She has also stated that some of her role models are soloistsBoA andLee Hyori,[115] as well as girl group2NE1.[116]
Chung Ha posing for a photoshoot forSharkNinja; 2025
Chung Ha has endorsed various products ranging from electronics to clothing and cosmetics. Her first endorsement was forNike's "Nike x W Korea", alongside singerAmber Liu and dancer May J Lee in 2017.[117]
Chung Ha's endorsements includes modeling forUmbro,[118] women's clothing brand Muzak Ifne,[119] Lens Town's contact lenses,[120] endorsingLotte Chilsung's 'Chungha',[121] and being the brand model for Guljak Topokki Chicken restaurant.[122] She has also endorsed the video gamesSudden Attack andBosslave, andLG Corporation's mobile service U+ 5G.[123][124] In March 2019,Clinique announced that they had worked with and chosen Chung Ha as the brand's global ambassador.[125][126] In May 2019,Sprite Korea announced her as the new model and face of the brand and their Summer 2019 "Dive in Sprite" campaign alongside actorJang Ki-yong.[127]In April 2020, Chung Ha officially joined theDolce & Gabbana Beauty family.[128]
On October 12, 2021, Chung Ha was announced as a member of the Green Noble Club. The club is made of large donors who've made donations of ₩100 million or more to the Green Umbrella Children's Foundation.[129]
On February 9, 2023, Chung Ha donated ₩50 million to support low-income families' medical expenses on her 27th birthday through the Green Umbrella Children's Foundation.[130]
On February 10, 2020, Chungha donated 10,000 masks for children from low-income families on her birthday.[131]
^"Maxi Single".Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). July 5–11, 2020.Archived from the original on July 29, 2020. RetrievedSeptember 23, 2020.
^2020년 7월 Album Chart [July 2020 Album Chart].Gaon Music Chart (in Korean).Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. RetrievedSeptember 23, 2020.
^Kwon, Hye-mi (January 30, 2023)."솔로 퀸' 청하, 3월 FA나오나…MNH "확인 중" [공식]" [Solo Queen’ Chungha, free agency in March… MNH “Confirming” [Official]] (in Korean).Ilgan Sports.Archived from the original on January 31, 2023. RetrievedJanuary 31, 2023 – viaNaver.
^"청하, 박재범 손 잡았다…모어비전 합류 [공식]" [Chungha and Park Jaebeom held hands…More Vision Joins [Official]] (in Korean). news1. October 10, 2023.Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. RetrievedOctober 10, 2023 – viaNaver.
^Hyun, Jong-min (March 2, 2024).청하, 에이티즈 홍중과 협업...'EENIE MEENIE' 더 기대되는 이유 [Chungha collaborates with ATEEZ Hongjoong... Reasons to be more excited about 'EENIE MEENIE'].Sports World (in Korean).Archived from the original on April 21, 2024. RetrievedJune 21, 2024.
^Park, Soo-in (January 25, 2019).'해투4' 청하 "롤모델 아이유에 손편지 받아, 보탬되겠다고"[결정적장면] ['Happy Fight 4' Chungha 'Received a handwritten letter from role model IU and said that it would be helpful'].Newsen (in Korean).Archived from the original on July 10, 2022. RetrievedJuly 10, 2022 – viaNaver.
^Jang, Yeon-jae (January 22, 2018).'별밤' 청하 "롤모델은 이효리·보아…CD 드리고 싶어" ['Starry Night' Chungha "Role models are Lee Hyori, BoA... I want to give you a CD"].Xports News (in Korean).Archived from the original on April 2, 2022. RetrievedJuly 10, 2022 – viaNaver.
^Lee, Myung-cheol (August 13, 2019).청하, 걸작떡볶이치킨 브랜드 모델로 등극.seoulwire.com (in Korean).Archived from the original on December 25, 2020. RetrievedAugust 17, 2019.
^Kim, Ji-hye (February 10, 2023).청하, 생일 맞아 5천만원 기부 "고액 치료비 필요한 환아 위해"[공식] [Chungha donates 50 million won for her birthday "For children who need high medical expenses" [Official]] (in Korean).Herald POP.Archived from the original on February 11, 2023. RetrievedFebruary 11, 2023 – viaNaver.
^Baek Seung-hoon (July 26, 2022).강승윤·지현우→청하, '정희' 스페셜DJ 출격 [공식입장] [Seungyoon Kang & Hyunwoo Ji → Chungha, 'Junghee' Special DJ Sortie [Official Position]] (in Korean).iMBC.Archived from the original on July 26, 2022. RetrievedJuly 26, 2022 – viaNaver.
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