South Korean singer CHUNG HA doesn’t fear trying new things. She constantly challenges herself when creating music because it’s what she loves.
The 28-year-old got her start on reality competition show “Produce 101” in 2016. She placed fourth, earning a spot in the final lineup of project girl group I.O.I. After the group disbanded in 2017, CHUNG HA made her solo debut with “Hands on Me“.
She quickly became one of K-pop’s most iconic soloists. She’s won various awards and her songs have placed high on the charts, cementing CHUNG HA’s legacy through skillful choreographies and melodic vocals.
Now, she’s back after almost two years with new music and a refreshed mindset.
“I’m very excited and very nervous at the same time. It’s a whole new chapter for me opening up,” she told USA TODAY.
CHUNG HA is setting the stage for a new era
Over the last year, CHUNG HA has been reflecting on her artistry and where she stands in the industry. At first, she was unsure how to move forward.
CHUNG HA 청하 | 'EENIE MEENIE (Feat. 홍중(ATEEZ))' Official Music Video
— 청하 CHUNGHA (@CH_CHUN9HA) March 11, 2024
🎬 https://t.co/iTdAvb8MFP#CHUNGHA #청하#HONGJOONG #홍중 @ATEEZofficial#청하_EENIE_MEENIE#EENIE_MEENIE#MOREVISION #모어비전 pic.twitter.com/KQop5UBGkI
Who Is Chung Ha?
Chung Ha (청하; or Chungha) is a South Korean singer-songwriter and dancer under MORE VISION. She is a former member of the project girl group I.O.I.
She made her solo debut on June 6, 2017 with the mini album Hands on Me.
2016: Produce 101 and I.O.I
From January to April, she participated in Mnet’s reality survival show, Produce 101 as a trainee representing MNH Entertainment. She finished in 4th place, thus becoming member of the girl group I.O.I. The group debuted on May 4, with the mini album Chrysalis.
2017: “Week” and Hands on Me
Following the disbandment of I.O.I, on January 29, MNH announced on March 15 that she would debut as a solo artist. On April 12, a preview film for her pre-release single titled “Week” was released, and in April 21, the music video.
On June 7, she officially debuted with the mini album Hands on Me and its title track, “Why Don’t You Know”. On the same day, she held her showcase.
2018: Offset and Blooming Blue
On January 17, she released her second mini album, titled Offset, along with the title track “Roller Coaster”. In music shows, she promoted the track “Offset” as well. Five months later, on July 18, 2018, she released her third mini album, titled Blooming Blue.
2019: “Gotta Go”, Flourishing
On January 2, she released her first single album, titled “Gotta Go”.
Main article: Planned I.O.I reunion
On June 24, her fourth mini album Flourishing was released with “Snapping” as its title track. “Chica” was also used during promotions.
2020: Collaboration and project singles, “Stay Tonight”, “Play”, upcoming studio album and delay
On January 21, Chung Ha and Paul Kim released the collaboration single “Loveship”.
On February 29, she released the single “Everybody Has” as the second release of MNH’s 2020 music project New.wav.
On April 17, a timetable was revealed for Chung Ha’s first pre-release single for her upcoming first full-length album. The single titled “Stay Tonight” was released on April 27.
On May 30, Chung Ha released the single “My Friend” as part of a collaboration for Zion.T’s reality show Song Farm!.
On June 9, the single “Be Yourself” was released as part of New.wav and in collaboration with Sprite.
On July 6, “Play” was released as the second pre-release single.
On November 18, three teaser videos were released with the caption “COMING SOON” for November, December, and January. The following day, teaser images were released announcing the release of “Dream of You” and “X” on November 27 and December 10, respectively. It was also confirmed that Chung Ha would be releasing her first full-length album, Querencia on January 4, 2021.
On November 27, her collaboration single “Dream of You”, with DJ and producer R3HAB, was released as her third pre-release single.
On December 9, MNH announced that the release of her upcoming fourth pre-release single and first album would be postponed following her positive COVID-19 diagnosis on the 7th.
2021: “X” Querencia and “Killing Me”
On January 11, the new release dates for the pre-release single and first album were revealed.
Her fourth pre-release single, “X”, was released on January 19 and her first album Querencia, on February 15.
On November 29, she released the special single “Killing Me”.
2022: Bare&Rare
On June 27, a scheduler was posted which revealed that Chung Ha will be releasing part 1 of her second studio album, Bare&Rare, on July 11.
2023: Departure from MNH Entertainment, signing with MORE VISION
On January 30, Sports World reported that Chung Ha would be leaving MNH Entertainment in March following her contract expiration.
On March 29, it was announced that Chung Ha’s contract with MNH Entertainment will conclude on April 29 after deciding not to renew. Additionally, the agency revealed that “due to internal circumstances”, they would not be releasing the second part of her second full-length before her departure. On April 29, Chung Ha shared a handwritten letter to her fans following the expiration of her contract, and stated that she would still be releasing Part 2 of her second full-length album if the opportunity arises.
On September 22, Chung Ha was announced as the new DJ of KBS CoolFM’s Volume Up, now titled Chungha’s Volume Up. She is succeeding Heize, who hosted the radio show for a year before stepping down on September 3.
On October 10, it was revealed that she had signed an exclusive contract with Jay Park’s record label MORE VISION.
2024: “Eenie Meenie”
On February 26, 2024, MORE VISION confirmed that Chungha is preparing for a March comeback.[14] On February 28, she released a teaser for her seventh digital single “Eenie Meenie”, set for release on March 11 with Hongjoong from ATEEZ.
