Han Chae-young facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Han Chae-young
Han Chae-young in September 2009
Born	Kim Ji-young (1980-09-13) September 13, 1980 (age 44) Daegu, South Korea
Other names	Rachel Kim
Alma mater	Dongguk University
Occupation	Actress
Years active	2000–present
Agent	J-Flex Entertainment
Spouse(s)	Choi Dong-joon ​ (m. 2007)​
Children	1
Korean name
Hangul	한채영
Hanja	韓彩英
Revised Romanization	Han Chaeyeong
McCune–Reischauer	Han Ch'aeyŏng
Birth name
Hangul	김지영
Hanja	金志英
Revised Romanization	Gim Jiyeong
McCune–Reischauer	Kim Chiyŏng

Kim Ji-young (Hangul: 김지영; born September 13, 1980), known professionally as Han Chae-young, is a popular South Korean actress. She first became known for playing a rival character in the TV show Autumn in My Heart (2000). Later, she became very famous for her main role in Sassy Girl Chun-hyang (2005).

Some of her other well-known roles include Only You (2005), Fireworks (2006), Boys Over Flowers (2009), A Man Called God (2010), and Pretty Man (2013).

Early Life and Discovery

Han Chae-young was born as Kim Ji-young in Daegu, South Korea. Her family moved to the United States when she was young. She grew up in a suburb of Chicago and went to Glenbrook South High School.

During a visit to Korea, a famous comedian saw her and suggested she try acting. This led her to put her college plans on hold and start her acting career.

Acting Career Highlights

Starting Her Acting Journey (2000–2004)

Han Chae-young began her acting career in 2000 with the horror movie The Record. She used the stage name Han Chae-young. Her role as a rival in the popular TV drama Autumn in My Heart helped her get more attention.

Because of her tall and shapely figure, she earned the nickname "Barbie Doll of Korea." This image helped her get many commercial deals. However, for a few years, she often played similar roles as a beautiful, wealthy woman who seemed hard to approach.

Becoming a Star (2005–2008)

In 2005, Han Chae-young became very successful with the romantic comedy TV series Sassy Girl Chun-hyang. She played the main character, a smart and lively high school girl who grows into a strong, independent woman. This show was a modern version of a famous Korean folktale. It was very popular and was often the most-watched show in its time slot.

After this, she played a single mom who dreamed of becoming a chef in Only You (2005). She also played a girl looking for a job in Exhibition of Fireworks (2006). These shows didn't do as well. In 2006, she joined BH Entertainment, an agency that manages many famous actors.

Han Chae-young also tried acting on stage for the first time in the play Clumsy People from 2007 to 2008. All the tickets for the play were sold out! Later, she launched her own clothing line called Rachel Han's, named after her American name.

Expanding to International Roles (2009–2012)

In 2009, she made a special guest appearance in the very popular drama Boys Over Flowers. She also starred in the movies Good Morning President and Girlfriends. She said her role in Girlfriends was the most fun to play because it was similar to her real personality.

After a break from TV, Han Chae-young played a down-to-earth journalist in the 2010 action-romance series A Man Called God. This show was based on a comic book and had a very large budget. It received good ratings. She also appeared in The Influence, an online movie about a love story that crosses time.

Because Sassy Girl Chun-hyang was so popular, Han Chae-young became a "Korean Wave" star, meaning she was famous across Asia. She started working in China. She starred in the 2011 Chinese movie A Big Deal and the Chinese TV drama Dream in Blue in 2012.

Recent Projects (2013–Present)

In 2013, Han Chae-young joined a new agency, SM C&C. She returned to Korean TV with Ad Genius Lee Tae-baek, a show about an advertising designer. She then appeared in Pretty Man, playing a glamorous woman.

In 2015, Han Chae-young started hosting her first variety show called Take Care of My Dressing Table. On this show, beauty experts shared their tips. She continued to work mostly in China, appearing in the web series Beauty Master and a TV show based on a Chinese novel.

Since 2017, she has been a cast member of KBS2's Sister's Slam Dunk. She even made her singing debut as part of a temporary group called Unnies on the show. In 2017, she starred in the comedy film The Star Next Door, playing a famous actress who secretly has a teenage daughter.

In 2018, Han Chae-young was cast in the MBC drama A Promise with the Gods, which was her first Korean drama in four years. In 2022, she signed with a new agency, J-Flex Entertainment. In 2024, she took on her first regular role in a daily TV drama called Snow White's Revenge, playing a villain.

Personal Life

Han Chae-young married Korean-American businessman Choi Dong-joon on June 2, 2007, in Seoul. They welcomed their son on August 28, 2013.

Filmography

Film

Television series

Television shows

Theater

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Han Chae-young para niños