Han Hyo-joo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Han Hyo-joo
Han in July 2024
Born	Han Ji-yeong (1987-02-22) February 22, 1987 (age 38) Yullryang-dong, Cheongju, South Korea
Education	Dongguk University – Department of Theatre and Film
Occupation	Actress model singer
Years active	2003–present
Agent	BH Entertainment FlaMme [ja]
Height	170 cm (5 ft 7 in)
Korean name
Hangul	한효주
Hanja	韓孝周
RR	Han Hyoju
MR	Han Hyoju
Signature

Han Hyo-joo (Hangul: 한효주; born Han Ji-yeong, February 22, 1987) is a famous South Korean actress. She became very well-known after starring in popular TV shows like Brilliant Legacy (2009) and Dong Yi (2010). Both shows were huge hits and made her a household name in Korea. She is also recognized for the fantasy drama W (2016) and the exciting thriller Happiness (2021). In 2023, she starred in the hit series Moving, which was about people with superpowers. It became the most-watched Korean show on Disney+ around the world.

Han Hyo-joo is a big star in the Hallyu movement, which means her work is popular across Asia and globally. She has been on Forbes magazine's Korea Power Celebrity 40 list many times since 2011. She has also been the face of major Korean brands like Samsung and LG. Recently, she has worked as a brand ambassador for luxury fashion brands such as Chanel and Louis Vuitton.

Besides her TV work, Han is also a respected leading actress in Korean movies. She has received praise for her roles in many different types of films, including romantic comedies, action movies, and crime thrillers. Some of her notable movies include Always (2011), Masquerade (2012), Cold Eyes (2013), and The Beauty Inside (2015). In 2021, the Korean Film Council chose her as one of the top 200 Korean actors representing the future of Korean cinema.

Han Hyo-joo has won many awards. She received Best Actress awards at Korea's three most important ceremonies: the Baeksang Arts Award for Dong Yi, the Blue Dragon Film Award for Cold Eyes, and the Grand Bell Award for Moving.

Early Life and Education

Han Hyo-joo was born in Yullryang-dong, Cheongju, South Korea. Her mother was an elementary school teacher, and her father was an air force lieutenant colonel. When she was born, her name was Han Ji-yeong, but she changed it to Han Hyo-joo when she was in third grade. She has a younger brother and attended Deokseong Elementary School. As a child, she was very good at sports, especially track and field.

After finishing middle school in 2002, she went to Cheongju Girls' High School. In her second year of high school, she moved to Seoul and transferred to Bulgok High School. This was despite her father's wishes. After graduating in March 2005, she joined Dongguk University's Theater and Film department and graduated in 2010.

Acting Journey

Starting Her Career (2003–2006)

Han Hyo-joo was first discovered in a teenage beauty pageant in 2003. She started her acting career in the TV show Nonstop 5 and the movie My Boss, My Teacher. She became more known after starring in Spring Waltz, which was the last part of a popular TV drama series.

In 2006, director Lee Yoon-ki cast Han in the movie Ad-lib Night. In this film, she played a young woman who finds herself again after a strange night with strangers. She won awards for Best New Actress for this role.

Becoming a Star (2007–2010)

Han then starred in two very successful TV shows. These were the daily drama Heaven & Earth (2007) and the masked-adventurer series Iljimae (2008). Both dramas were very popular and made her a household name. She also acted in an independent film called Ride Away, which was shown at the 2008 Jeonju International Film Festival.

She also filmed a Korean-Japanese movie called Heaven's Postman, which was released in 2009.

Han's big breakthrough came with Brilliant Legacy in 2009. This show was a huge hit, with almost half of all TV viewers watching it. It made Han a big star, and she started getting many endorsement deals and interview requests. Her popularity also grew across Asia. Later that year, she starred in the musical drama Soul Special.

Han in 2010

In 2010, Han played the main character in MBC's Dong Yi. This series was a hit in Korea and across Asia. Han won several acting awards for her role, including the top Daesang (Grand Prize) award at the MBC Drama Awards and the Best Actress award at the Baeksang Arts Awards.

Movie Roles (2011–2015)

In 2011, Han played a blind telemarketer in the movie Always. This film was the opening movie of the 2011 Busan International Film Festival. Han also narrated a special version of the Japanese film My Back Page for people with hearing or visual impairments.

In 2012, Han played the queen in the hit historical film Masquerade. This movie became one of the highest-grossing Korean films of all time. She then starred in Love 911, a romance between a doctor and a firefighter.

Han at the 34th Blue Dragon Film Awards in November 2013

In 2013, Han starred in the action thriller Cold Eyes. This film was a remake of a Hong Kong movie. It was very popular at the box office and became one of the biggest hits of 2013. Han won Best Actress awards for her performance from the Blue Dragon Film Awards and Buil Film Awards.

In 2014, Han starred in her first Japanese film, Miracle: Debikuro-kun no Koi to Maho. This was a love story set during Christmas.

In 2015, Han starred in the musical movie C'est Si Bon, which was about a folk music group. She also starred in the romantic comedy The Beauty Inside, where her character falls in love with a man who changes into a different person every day.

Later that year, Han worked with her co-stars from The Beauty Inside again in Love, Lies. This movie was about gisaeng (female entertainers) during the Japanese occupation in the 1940s.

Return to TV and Global Projects (2016–Present)

In 2016, Han returned to TV with MBC's fantasy series W. This show was highly anticipated because it was her first TV drama in six years. She won top acting awards for her role in W.

Han in 2017

In 2018, Han starred in the thriller Golden Slumber and the sci-fi action thriller Illang: The Wolf Brigade.

In 2019, Han joined the main cast of the American TV series Treadstone, which is part of the Bourne movie series.

In 2020, Han was cast in a Japanese action film called Taiyō wa Ugokanai ("The Sun Stands Still"). She played a mysterious spy in this movie.

Han in November 2021

In 2021, Han played a member of a counter-terrorist team in the thriller drama Happiness. This show was about a mysterious virus outbreak in an apartment building.

In 2022, Han starred in The Pirates: The Last Royal Treasure, which was a sequel to a popular 2014 movie. She played Hae-rang, the captain of a pirate ship. She also made a special appearance in the film 20th Century Girl.

In 2023, Han Hyo-joo starred in the Disney+ series Moving. The show premiered on August 9, 2023, and she won the Best Actress award in the Series Category at the 59th Grand Bell Awards for her role.

In 2024, she starred in her second Disney+ series, Blood Free. This was a sci-fi thriller where she played the CEO of a company that makes artificial meat.

She is also set to appear in a Japanese movie called Romantics Anonymous, which will be released on Netflix in October 2025.

Personal Interests

Han Hyo-joo can speak three languages: Korean, English, and Japanese. She has shown her language skills in her acting projects in Korea, Japan, and Hollywood. Han also plays the piano and guitar. She even sang and played both instruments for over 2,000 fans at a concert in Japan.

Han enjoys exercising and staying fit. She likes sports such as golf, tennis, cycling, and running. Her athletic abilities have helped her in action-packed roles in shows like Treadstone, The Pirates 2, Happiness, and Moving. She has also learned free-diving as a hobby and took part in the annual World Triathlon Cup in 2023.

Han loves dogs and once wanted to be a veterinarian. She lives with a white Maltese puppy.

Giving Back to the Community

Han Hyo-joo is known for her charity work. In May 2022, on Children's Day, she donated ₩100 million (about $75,000 USD) to Asan Medical Center. This money helps young patients get treatment and surgery if their families can't afford it. She had also donated ₩50 million in 2021.

In July 2023, Han donated ₩50 million to help flood victims through the Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association. She said she hoped the victims could recover quickly.

In February 2024, the Community Chest of Korea announced that Han had donated ₩50 million on her birthday. She had already donated over ₩100 million to this organization in 2022 and was named a member of their Honor Society. Her donations help facilities for single mothers and educational programs for children.

Since 2013, Han has also created the "Hyo-joo Fund" to support elderly people and provide cultural experiences for children and youth who are less fortunate. She has also donated to help with forest fire recovery and COVID-19 relief. She even donated her appearance fee from the show Hometown Flex to a support center in her hometown of Cheongju.

Filmography

Movies

Television Shows

Awards and Recognitions

Han Hyo-joo has won many awards throughout her career. Here are some of her major achievements:

• 2006: Won Best New Actress at the Korean Association of Film Critics Awards and Singapore International Film Festival for Ad-lib Night.
• 2007: Won Popularity Award and Best Couple Award (with Park Hae-jin) at the KBS Drama Awards for Heaven & Earth.
• 2008: Won New Star Award at the SBS Drama Awards for Iljimae.
• 2009: Won Female Star Award at the Andre Kim Best Star Awards. Won Hot Female Drama Star at the Mnet 20's Choice Awards. Won Excellence Award, Top 10 Stars, and Best Couple Award (with Lee Seung-gi) at the SBS Drama Awards for Brilliant Legacy.
• 2010: Won Grand Prize (Daesang) and Popularity Award at the MBC Drama Awards for Dong Yi. Won Best Actress at the Baeksang Arts Awards for Dong Yi. Won Top Excellence Award at the Korea Drama Awards for Dong Yi. Won Outstanding Korean Actress at the Seoul International Drama Awards for Brilliant Legacy.
• 2012: Won Hallyu Star Prize at the CETV Asia's Top 10 Popular Star Awards.
• 2013: Won Best Leading Actress at the Blue Dragon Film Awards for Cold Eyes. Won Best Actress at the Buil Film Awards for Cold Eyes. Won Favorite Actress at the Korea World Youth Film Festival for Cold Eyes.
• 2015: Won Top Star Award at the Korean Film Actor's Association Awards for The Beauty Inside.
• 2016: Won Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries, and Best Couple Award (with Lee Jong-suk) at the MBC Drama Awards for W. Won Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries, at the APAN Star Awards for W. Won Asia Star Award at the BIFF with Marie Claire Asia Star Awards for Love, Lies and The Beauty Inside.
• 2022: Won Popular Star Award at the Blue Dragon Series Awards for Happiness.
• 2023: Won Best Actress in a Series at the 59th Grand Bell Awards for Moving.

Images for kids

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  Han Hyo-joo's signature

See also

In Spanish: Han Hyo-joo para niños