Singer-songwriter Han Roro left a crystal-clear mark with her first terrestrial TV variety appearance. She walked in looking shy, but her sharp wit, live vocals, and an unexpected party trick instantly stole the spotlight.
The May 20 broadcast of MBC variety show Radio Star aired as a 'Spring Festival' special featuring Kim Chang-wan, Choi Jung-hoon, Roy Kim, and Han Roro. Among the veteran heavyweights, the freshest presence was, without a doubt, Han Roro. Introducing herself as "a singer-songwriter who delivers comfort through songs," she officially made her terrestrial variety debut.
For a first-timer, nerves would have been expected, but Han Roro was calmer than anyone anticipated. "When I heard the lineup, I thought it would be fun to join the seniors I respect," she said, revealing she signed on with a mix of excitement and anticipation. Even in her soft-spoken tone, you could feel her confident determination to enjoy the stage.
Han Roro also looked back on winning Musician of the Year at the Korean Music Awards. Standing among powerhouse nominees like AKMU’s Lee Chan-hyuk and BLACKPINK’s Jennie, she became the youngest winner on the list. "I didn’t expect it at all. I didn’t even prepare a speech," she recalled of the overwhelming moment. When her name was suddenly called, her first thought was, "Am I really receiving this award?" and she ended up in tears.
Her offstage twist charmed viewers, too. Han Roro performed a limbo routine she prepared just for Radio Star, stunning everyone. Starting at 1 m (about 3.3 ft) and clearing progressively lower bars, she succeeded down to 80 cm (about 2.6 ft), instantly heating up the studio with her unexpected flexibility. The contrast with her calm image drew both laughs and gasps.
Back on the mic, her main craft took center stage. Han Roro performed her signature tracks 'Ipchun' and '0+0', showcasing her uniquely delicate emotions and total immersion. As her deep, resonant voice filled the set—worlds apart from the show’s lighthearted banter—it naturally proved why she’s one of today’s most-watched rookie singer-songwriters.
She also shared behind-the-scenes stories about working with Lee Chan-hyuk. Han Roro said he reached out first to collaborate, and during recording he directed her in a uniquely vivid way—getting her to imagine specific scenes to shape the emotion, and tossing in playful requests to break the tension. She admitted she was flustered in the moment, but in hindsight it was an unforgettable experience.
Though it was her first terrestrial variety outing, Han Roro struck the perfect balance between rookie freshness and a distinct artistic identity, leaving a powerful impression. With her authenticity built on music and a surprising playful side revealed on variety, anticipation for her next move is only growing.