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Ha Ji-won
Ha posing for the press at Switch VIP premiere in January 2023
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
  • Wellmade STARM
  • Haewadal Entertainment
  • United Talent Agency
  • BM+ Entertainment
  • Invincible Plan (China)
Relatives Jun Tae-soo (brother)
Korean name
Hangul
Hanja
Revised Romanization Ha Ji-won
McCune–Reischauer Ha Chiwŏn
Birth name
Hangul
Hanja
Revised Romanization Jeon Hae-rim
McCune–Reischauer Chŏn Haerim

Jeon Hae-rim (Hangul: 전해림; born 28 June 1978), better known by her stage name Ha Ji-won (Hangul: 하지원) is a South Korean actress. She is best known for the historical dramas Damo (2003), Hwang Jini (2006), and Empress Ki (2013-2014), as well as the melodrama Something Happened in Bali (2004), the romantic comedy series Secret Garden (2010), The King 2 Hearts (2012) and the medical drama Hospital Ship (2017).

She has starred in several films and television series and is one of South Korea's most sought after and critically acclaimed actresses, particularly known for her versatility in pulling off roles in various genres such as action, comedy, horror, drama, sports and medical.

Early life and education

Jeon Hae-rim was scouted by an agency when she was a senior high school student. The actress stated, "Ever since I was a little kid, I dreamed of becoming an actress. When I was a senior in high school, an agency contacted me after seeing my picture at a photography studio." She later graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Film and Television (BFTV) in Dankook University. In 2012, the actress revealed that she had failed over 100 auditions before her debut, "I passed my college entrance and written exams and was accepted to the department of theater and film. Before my debut, I auditioned for 100 or so projects but didn't get the roles."

Jeon candidly revealed that she adopted "Ha Ji-won" as her stage name as a favor for her previous manager as it was the name of his first love. "When I was about to debut, the first love of my manager's name was Ha Ji-won. I think he wanted to at least use the name of his love that was not fulfilled. The first time I heard the name Ha Ji-won, I thought it was pretty and also bold."

Career

1996–2001: Beginnings

Ha Ji-won made her TV debut in the 1996 teen drama, New Generation Report: Adults Don't Understand Us. She continued playing supporting roles in dramas, Dragon's Tears and Dangerous Lullaby in 1998 and 1999 respectively. But it was through the popular high school drama School 2, in which she played the role of a troubled teen, that she started to gain fame as an actress.

Ha Ji-won at the premiere of Miracle on 1st Street 116
In January 2007

In 2000, Ha made her film debut in the thriller, Truth Game, alongside Ahn Sung-ki, where she was chosen for the role from a pool of 1,500 prospective candidates. For her portrayal of a bipolar character, Ha was awarded Best New Actress at the 37th Grand Bell Awards and 1st Busan Film Critics Awards. The same year, she starred in Ahn Byeong-ki's horror movie Nightmare, and sci-fi romance film Ditto, which won her the Best Supporting Actress award at the 21st Blue Dragon Film Awards. Later, Ha reunited with Ditto co-star Kim Ha-neul in the drama, Secret, playing an antagonist role. The drama earned her Best Rookie Actress recognition at the MBC Drama Awards and 37th Baeksang Arts Awards.

In 2001, Ha had her first leading role in Beautiful Life, where she played the role of a chaebol hotelier's daughter, opposite Kim Rae-won. This was followed by another starring role in Days in the Sun opposite Ji Sung.

In 2002, she appeared in Ahn Byeong-ki's in horror movie, Phone. The film was a huge success in South Korea and was also a hit in Italy, officially dubbing her as "Asia's Horror Princess". Following Phone in the same year was Yoon Je-kyoon's American Pie-inspired movie, *** Is Zero, co-starring Im Chang-jung. The movie was the third most popular Korean movie in 2002 and ranked fifth among all films released in that year, winning Ha the Popularity Award at the 39th Baeksang Arts Awards.

In 2003, Ha starred in her first historical drama, Damo. Damo was highly popular among viewers in their 20s and 30s and turned into a cultural phenomenon. Ha's performance as a lowly police detective was highly praised and she was given the Top Excellence award at the MBC Drama Awards.

Ha Ji-Won in 2009
In November 2009

In 2004, she starred in the heavy melodrama, What Happened in Bali, alongside Jo In-sung and So Ji-sub. What Happened in Bali was a huge success, with its final episode reaching a peak rating of 39.7%, and won Ha the coveted Best Actress recognition at the 40th Baeksang Arts Awards. Ha also appeared in two films, internet fiction themed movie, 100 Days with Mr. Arrogant opposite Kim Jae-won and romantic comedy, Love, So Divine with Kwon Sang-woo. However, both films were not as successful with audiences.

Ha then played the role of the female protagonist in Daddy-Long-Legs, which was inspired by the novel of the same title written by Jean Webster. She also starred in Lee Myung-se's martial arts film, Duelist, opposite Kang Dong-won. At the 26th Blue Dragon Awards where Ha won the Popularity Award, she quoted Director Lee's line, "An actor never stops learning." which she said she had always been applying in her life as an actress.

In 2006, Ha starred in Hwang Jini, a period drama based on the real-life history of the character of Hwang Jini, who lived in 16th-century Joseon and is considered the most famous gisaeng in the Korean history. The series was a huge ratings success, giving rise to a boom in gisaeng-themed entertainment—musicals, TV dramas, films, even cartoons. Ha's performance won her the Grand Prize (Daesang) at the 2006 KBS Drama Awards.

Ha Ji-won on 26 July 2011 (4)
In July 2011

In 2007, Ha challenged herself in the role of a female boxer in the comedy film, Miracle on 1st Street. The movie became the fifth most popular movie in that year. She then took on the role of a pianist in Miracle of a Giving Fool, which was based on a popular webcomic and won her the Popularity Award at the 44th Baeksang Arts Awards.

In 2009, Ha worked with Director Yoon Je-kyoon for the third time in the blockbuster disaster film Haeundae. The movie was funded by CJ Entertainment with a budget estimated at US$10–15 million, one of the largest for a Korean production. Haeundae was met with both critical and commercial success. It was the fourth highest-grossing film in South Korea then, giving Ha the honor of "The 10 Million Movie Actress" for bringing more than 10 million audiences. She then starred in Park Jin-pyo's melodrama Closer to Heaven. Ha's heartfelt performance in the film won her the Best Actress Award at the 30th Blue Dragon Film Awards and 46th Baeksang Arts Awards.

2010–2013: International popularity

After taking a four-year break from dramas, Ha made a very successful comeback through the 2010 hit drama, Secret Garden, written by famous writer Kim Eun-sook. She played the role of a stunt woman, who magically switches bodies with a wealthy CEO character (played by Hyun Bin). Proven to be a commercial success, the drama series brought in high domestic ratings and garnered much interest regarding its fashion, catchphrases and music. Ha was awarded the prestige Best Actress at the Grimae Awards.

Ha then starred in science fiction 3D film, Sector 7. Although the film failed to do well in South Korea, it was a hit in China, garnering over 20 million yuan in China after just one week, beating previous records set by 200 Pounds Beauty at 16 million yuan. Ha had spent eight hours a day swimming and training with weights to get in shape for the role, obtained a scuba diving certificate and motor license in a week to "immerse" herself in character.

(허삼관) 새해 인사 영상 하지원
In January 2015

In 2012, Ha starred in alternate history drama The King 2 Hearts opposite Lee Seung-gi, playing the role of a North Korean Special Forces Officer who married a South Korean crown prince as a political strategy. It was also revealed that Ha had studied the North Korean dialect to make her portrayal of the character more realistic and genuine. Ha then acted in sports film As One, playing the role of a South Korean table tennis player. As Ha had simultaneously portrayed a North and South Korean character on the small and big screen, she was dubbed as "The Flower of Reunification" for crossing boundaries of the two nations.

In 2013, Ha was awarded her second Daesang award for her performance as the titular character in the hit historical drama Empress Ki. The drama achieved high viewership ratings throughout its run on MBC, and was also well-received overseas; particularly in Taiwan.

2014–present: Returning to the mainstream

In 2014, Ha, together with Kang Ye-won and Son Ga-in of Brown Eyed Girls, then starred in the Charlie's Angels-inspired action fusion sageuk, The Huntresses.

In 2015, Ha was cast by Ha Jung-woo to play his character's wife in his self-directed movie, Chronicle of a Blood Merchant, a film adaption of the bestselling 1995 Chinese novel of the same title written by Yu Hua. Following that, Ha, alongside actor Lee Jin-wook starred in the Korean remake of the 2011 hit Taiwanese drama In Time with You, titled The Time We Were Not in Love. However, in contrast to her previous dramas, The Time We Were Not in Love received low ratings and Ha's performance was called into question. However, the show has received popular ratings among international post-broadcast audiences.

In 2016, Ha starred in the South Korea-China co-production film, Life Risking Romance, alongside Taiwanese actor Chen Bolin.

In 2017, Ha starred in Manhunt, an international co-production by Hong Kong director John Woo. She played a female assassin in the film. Ha returned to the small screen with MBC's medical drama Hospital Ship, which started airing in August 2017. She plays an ambitious surgeon who finds herself on a hospital ship. She won the Top Excellence Award at the MBC Drama Awards for her role.

In 2018, Ha joined tvN's space themed variety show, Galileo: Awakened Universe, her first variety show since debut.

In 2019, Ha returned to the big screen with the romance melodrama Chocolate.

In 2020, she starred in Pawn, a COVID-19 delayed, human drama film.

In 2022, it was announced that Ha would hold fan meetings in Japan on November 25 in Tokyo and November 27 in Osaka. In October, Ha made her return to the small screen with Curtain Call after five years absence.

Other activities

Music

Ha Ji-won made an appearance in the music video of Wax's debut song, Mother's Diary in 2000. Soon after, she performed Wax's song, Oppa on stage.

Ha released her debut album Home Run in 2003. The eponymous single from the album Home Run, featuring singer Psy, was later used as the OST for Reversal of Fortune.

After an eight-year hiatus on stage, Ha performed with her labelmates AA for their debut at the K-pop Super Concert in 2011.

On 13 June 2014, Ha released a digital single, Now in This Place, for the fans who had been supportive of her drama Empress Ki. The lyrics of the song was written by the scriptwriter of Empress Ki, Jung Kyung Soon; and composed and produced by popular music producer Jae Chong (also known as Jung Jae-yoon).

In June 2015, Ha released a self-written song, You Are Zoe, featuring ZE:A's Heechul. She personally wrote the song while working on OnStyle's Go Go with Sister in Grasse, France. The track was composed by singer The Film.

Fashion, books and film

In 2012, Ha gave a lecture on movie production in China as part of CJ CGV's cultural exchange program Toto's Workroom. As part of her contract with fashion label Crocodile Lady, Ha launched her own "Secret Jeans" line and designed a handbag for the brand which was sold for 179,200 won ($157). The same year, she published her first book "This Moment".

Social activities

Ambassadorship

Year Event Title Country Ref.
2002 Puchon Film Festival PiFan Lady South Korea
2008–present New Zealand's Cultural Ambassador to Korea New Zealand
2012 2012 Summer Olympics Honorary Coach South Korea
2014 National Tax Service Promotional Ambassador (with Gong Yoo)
2014 Cartier Muse South Korea, Taiwan
2014–present Operation Smile Smile International Ambassador Worldwide
2015–present Hanbok Day Hanbok Ambassador South Korea
2015–present Golden Horse Film Festival and Awards Piaget Altiplano Ambassador Taiwan
2016–present Korea Brand & Entertainment Expo 2016 Honorary Ambassador (with Winner) China
  • Ha Ji-won is the first Asian woman and second Asian after Jackie Chan to be named promotional ambassador for Operation Smile.

Charity

Although organ donation was not common in South Korea at that time in January 2005, Ha Ji-won made the pledge to donate her cornea through the Organ Donation Center of Love. The actress shared, "When I was in crisis of becoming blind in May of 2004 because of damaged cornea in my left eye while filming, but one prisoner sent me a letter expressing his willing to donate his own cornea to me, I was very thankful and greatly touched. I want to be of help to the visually impaired. It's shocking and pitiful that we import cornea from other countries."

Ha has also played an active role in helping underprivileged and disabled children, running a donation project named Smile Again Foundation with Gangnam-gu Family Welfare Center. The project was supplemented by Ha Ji-won's fan club members while she went the extra mile to ensure the sustainability of the project. Ha was conferred the Prime Minister's Award for the '2008 Family Month Event', in recognition of her consistent and active hard work in contributing to programs for poor and handicapped families.

In 2012, Ha donated the proceeds from her first book, At This Moment, to charity. The recipients of the book earnings, children's aid group Choi Kyung Joo Foundation and Yonsei University Hospital, announced their decision to set up a scholarship for prospective arts students and to subsidize treatment for deaf and blind children respectively. Sponsored by Ha, the organization has set up a "Hartist" (Ha + artist) scholarship to sponsor students who dream of careers in art.

Together with fellow actor Song Joong-ki, Ha attended Medical Korea 2013 Sharing Medical Treatment Commemorative Event, an event hosted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, promoting greater international co-operation for medical technology and positive medical tourism. During the event, both actors spent time with recovering children and received an award for their previous efforts in promoting the sharing of medical services.

In 2015, Ha, fashion icon Ko So-young, and figure skater Yuna Kim designed bags in cooperation with the Italian luxury brand Fendi. The bags were offered via Seoul Peekaboo Project auction to raise funds for the charity. As Operation Smile's Ambassador, Ha decided to donate the proceeds from the bag she designed to Operation Smile, a NGO that performs cleft lip and cleft palate surgery and delivers postoperative and ongoing medical therapies to children in low and middle income countries.

In 2016, Ha donated W100 million (US$83 604) to help victims of ferry disaster.

Management

In 2013, Ha was reported to be leaving Wellmade STARM, her agency for ten years. She declined all the calls sent by other agencies with giant contracts and decided to establish her own one-person agency Haewadal Entertainment (lit. Sun and Moon Entertainment) instead. Also in the same year, Ha signed with United Talent Agency, one of the largest talent agencies in the world, for her Hollywood venture.

After establishing her own agency, Haewadal Entertainment, Ha simultaneously signed a contract with BM+ Entertainment to manage her activities abroad. In the same year, Ha signed with Invincible Plan to manage her Chinese ventures.

Filmography

Discography

Albums

Year Title Notes
2003 Home Run

Digital singles

Year Song title Notes
2014 "Now in This Place"
2015 "You Are Zoe" feat. Heechul Of ZE:A

Awards and nominations

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination
Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result Ref.
APAN Star Awards 2012 Top Excellence Award, actress The King 2 Hearts Nominated
Asia Model Awards 2008 Popular Star Award Ha Ji-won Won
Baeksang Arts Awards 2001 Best New Actress – Television Secret Won
2004 Best Actress – Television What Happened in Bali Won
2005 Hwang Jini Nominated
2010 Best Actress – Film Closer to Heaven Won
2011 Best Actress – Television Secret Garden Nominated
Blue Dragon Film Awards 2000 Best Supporting Actress Ditto Won
2002 Best Leading Actress Phone Nominated
2005 Popularity Award Duelist Won
2009 Best Leading Actress Closer to Heaven Won
Popularity Award Won
Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival 2012 Producer's Choice Ha Ji-won Won
Busan Film Critics Awards 2000 Best New Actress Ditto Won
Estee Lauder 2009 Star of the Year Award Ha Ji-won Won
Golden Cinematography Awards 2001 Popularity Award Truth Game Won
BNT Golden Chest International TV Festival 2007 Best Actress Hwang Jini Won
Grand Bell Awards 2000 Best Actress Truth Game Nominated
Best New Actress Won
Grimae Awards 2011 Best Actress Secret Garden Won
KBS Drama Awards 2006 Grand Prize (Daesang) Hwang Jini Won
Top Excellence Award, actress Nominated
Netizen Popularity Award Won
Best Couple Award Ha Ji-won with Jang Keun-suk
Hwang Jini
Won
2022 Top Excellence Award, Actress Curtain Call Won
Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries Nominated
Popularity Award, Actress Nominated
Best Couple Ha Ji-won (with Kang Ha-neul)
Curtain Call
Won
Korean Broadcasting Awards 2007 Best Actress Hwang Jini Won
Korea Dance Association Seoul Dance Festival Beautiful Mind Award Won
Korea Drama Awards 2011 Best Actress Secret Garden Nominated
Korean University Films Festival 2009 Haeundae Won
Korea Youth Film Festival 2009 Favorite Film Actress Closer to Heaven Won
2012 As One Won
MBC Drama Awards 2000 Best New Actress Secret Won
2003 Grand Prize (Daesang) Damo Nominated
Top Excellence Award, actress Won
Popularity Award Won
Best Couple Award Ha Ji-won with Lee Seo-jin
Damo
Won
2012 Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries The King 2 Hearts Nominated
2013 Grand Prize (Daesang) Empress Ki Won
Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Special Project Drama Nominated
PD Award Won
Popularity Award, actress Won
2017 Grand Prize (Daesang) Hospital Ship Nominated
Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries Won
Mnet 20's Choice Awards 2009 HOT Movie Star (Female) Haeundae Won
SBS Drama Awards 2004 Top Excellence Award, actress What Happened in Bali' Won
Top 10 Stars Won
2010 Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Drama Special Secret Garden Won
Netizen Popularity Award Won
Top 10 Stars Won
Best Couple Award Ha Ji-won with Hyun Bin
Secret Garden
Won
2015 Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries The Time We Were Not in Love Nominated
Seoul International Drama Awards 2012 Best Actress The King 2 Hearts Nominated
2014 Empress Ki Nominated
Style Icon Asia 2009 Actress of the Year Ha Ji-won Won
Fun Fearless Female Won
2016 Style Icon Won

Other recognition

Award Year Category Ref.
Dankook University 2007 Achievement Award
Samsung Sparking Night 2012 Lady 9 Award (Shining Lady of 2012)

State honors

Name of the organization, year presented, and the award given
Country Organization Year Award Ref.
South Korea Ministry of Health, Welfare and Family Affairs – Family Month Event 2008 Prime Minister's Award
Minister of Health and Welfare 2013 Plaque of Appreciation
48th Korea Savings Day 2011 Prime Minister's Award for Savings
48th Taxpayer's Day 2014 Presidential Commendation

Listicles

Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement
Publisher Year Listicle Placement Ref.
Forbes 2010 Korea Power Celebrity 40 13th
2012 34th
2013 40th
The Screen 2009 1984–2008 Top Box Office Powerhouse Actors in Korean Movies 39th
2019 2009–2019 Top Box Office Powerhouse Actors in Korean Movies 33rd

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Ha Ji-won para niños

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