Ha Ji-won facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ha Ji-won
Ha in 2023
Born	Jeon Hae-rim (1978-06-28) 28 June 1978 (age 46) Seoul, South Korea
Education	Bachelor of Film and Television
Alma mater	Dankook University
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1996–present
Agent	Haewadal Entertainment
Relatives	Jun Tae-soo (brother)
Korean name
Hangul	하지원
Hanja	河智苑
Revised Romanization	Ha Ji-won
McCune–Reischauer	Ha Chiwŏn
Birth name
Hangul	전해림
Hanja	田海林
Revised Romanization	Jeon Hae-rim
McCune–Reischauer	Chŏn Haerim

Jeon Hae-rim (Hangul: 전해림), born on June 28, 1978, is a famous South Korean actress. She is better known by her stage name, Ha Ji-won (Hangul: 하지원). She has starred in many popular films and TV shows. Some of her well-known works include the movies Tidal Wave (2009) and Closer to Heaven (2009). She also gained fame for TV series like Secret Garden (2010–2011) and Empress Ki (2013–2014).

Ha Ji-won is one of South Korea's most respected actresses. She is known for being able to play many different types of roles. She has acted in action, comedy, horror, drama, sports, and medical stories.

Early Life and Education

Jeon Hae-rim dreamed of becoming an actress since she was a little girl. An agency discovered her when she was still in high school. She later studied Film and Television at Dankook University.

Before she became famous, Ha Ji-won tried out for over 100 roles but didn't get them. She once shared that she passed her college exams and got into the theater and film department. Even then, she auditioned many times before finally getting her first role.

Her stage name, Ha Ji-won, was chosen by her first manager. It was the name of his first love. She liked the name because it sounded pretty and strong.

Acting Career Highlights

Starting Her Journey: 1996–2001

Ha Ji-won began her TV career in 1996 in a teen drama. She played smaller roles in other dramas before gaining attention in School 2. In this popular high school show, she played a troubled teenager.

In January 2007

In 2000, Ha Ji-won made her movie debut in the thriller Truth Game. She was chosen from 1,500 people for the role. Her performance earned her awards for Best New Actress. That same year, she starred in the horror movie Nightmare and the sci-fi romance Ditto. For Ditto, she won the Best Supporting Actress award. She also played a villain in the drama Secret, which brought her more awards.

In 2001, she got her first main roles in dramas like Beautiful Life and Days in the Sun.

Rising to Stardom: 2002–2009

In 2002, Ha Ji-won starred in the horror film Phone. The movie was a big hit in South Korea and Italy. This success earned her the nickname "Asia's Horror Princess." Later that year, she appeared in the comedy movie *** Is Zero. It was one of the most popular Korean movies of 2002.

In 2003, she took on her first historical drama, Damo. This show became very popular and was a cultural sensation. Her acting as a police detective was highly praised, and she won a top acting award.

In November 2009

In 2004, she starred in the drama What Happened in Bali. This show was a huge success, with its final episode getting very high ratings. Ha Ji-won won the Best Actress award for her role. She also appeared in two films, 100 Days with Mr. Arrogant and Love, So Divine.

She then played the main character in Daddy-Long-Legs (2005), based on a famous novel. She also starred in the martial arts film Duelist.

In 2006, Ha Ji-won played the lead in Hwang Jini. This historical drama was about a famous artist from the 16th century. The series was a big hit and led to many other shows about similar topics. Her performance won her the Grand Prize, one of the highest acting honors.

In 2007, Ha Ji-won played a female boxer in the comedy film Miracle on 1st Street. This movie was very popular that year. She then played a pianist in Miracle of a Giving Fool.

In 2009, she worked on the disaster film Haeundae. This movie was a huge success and made her "The 10 Million Movie Actress" for bringing in over 10 million viewers. She then starred in the drama Closer to Heaven. Her emotional acting in this film won her Best Actress awards.

Global Recognition: 2010–2013

After a break from TV dramas, Ha Ji-won made a big comeback in 2010 with the hit show Secret Garden. She played a stunt woman who magically switches bodies with a rich CEO. The show was a huge success, with high ratings and a lot of buzz about its fashion and music. She won a Best Actress award for this role.

In July 2011

She then starred in the 3D science fiction film Sector 7. To prepare for the role, she trained for hours each day, got a scuba diving certificate, and a motor license.

In 2012, Ha Ji-won starred in the drama The King 2 Hearts. She played a North Korean Special Forces Officer who marries a South Korean prince. She even learned the North Korean accent for the role. She also acted in the sports film As One, playing a South Korean table tennis player. Because she played both North and South Korean characters, she was called "The Flower of Reunification."

In 2013, Ha Ji-won won another Grand Prize for her role in the historical drama Empress Ki. The show had very high ratings and was popular in other countries, like Taiwan.

Recent Works: 2014–Present

In 2014, Ha Ji-won appeared in the action film The Huntresses. In 2015, she starred in the movie Chronicle of a Blood Merchant. She also acted in the drama The Time We Were Not in Love.

In January 2015

In 2017, Ha Ji-won starred in the international film Manhunt, where she played a female assassin. She also returned to TV with the medical drama Hospital Ship, playing a skilled surgeon. She won a Top Excellence Award for this role.

In 2018, she joined her first variety show, Galileo: Awakened Universe. In 2019, she starred in the romance drama Chocolate. In 2020, she appeared in the human drama film Pawn.

In 2022, Ha Ji-won returned to TV after five years in the drama Curtain Call.

Other Activities

Music Ventures

Ha Ji-won has also explored music. In 2000, she appeared in a music video for the singer Wax. She later performed Wax's song "Oppa" on stage.

In 2003, she released her own album called Home Run. The main song from the album was used as the soundtrack for a movie. In 2014, she released a digital song called "Now in This Place" for her fans. In 2015, she released another song she wrote herself, "You Are Zoe."

Creative Pursuits

In 2012, Ha Ji-won gave a lecture in China about making movies. She also designed her own "Secret Jeans" line and a handbag for a fashion brand. In the same year, she published her first book, "This Moment."

Helping Others: Social Activities

Ambassadorships

Ha Ji-won has been an ambassador for many important causes and events:

Ha Ji-won is the first Asian woman and second Asian person, after Jackie Chan, to be an ambassador for Operation Smile. This group helps children worldwide with cleft lip and palate surgeries.

Charity Work

In 2005, Ha Ji-won pledged to donate her corneas. She was inspired by a prisoner who offered to donate his cornea to her when she had an eye injury. She wanted to help visually impaired people.

She also actively helps children who are less fortunate or have disabilities. She runs a project called Smile Again Foundation. This project gets support from her fan club members. For her consistent charity work, she received the Prime Minister's Award in 2008.

In 2012, she donated all the money from her book, At This Moment, to charity. The money helped set up scholarships for art students and provided treatment for deaf and blind children.

In 2013, Ha Ji-won attended an event promoting medical cooperation. She spent time with children recovering from illnesses and received an award for her efforts.

In 2015, she designed a bag for a luxury brand to raise money for charity. She donated the money from her bag to Operation Smile. In 2016, she donated money to help victims of a ferry disaster.

Filmography

Discography

Albums

Digital Singles

Awards and Nominations

Ha Ji-won has won many awards for her acting and contributions. Some of her major awards include:

Other Recognition

State Honors

Listicles

See also

In Spanish: Ha Ji-won para niños