Ha Ji-Won

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Full biography of Ha Ji-won

Personal Information

Original Name: Jeon Hae-rim (전해림)
Stage Name: Ha Ji-won (하지원)
Date Of Birth: June 28, 1978
Place Of Birth: Seoul, South Korea
Age (as of July 2025): 47 years old (based on international age)
ZodiacCancer
Height: 168 cm
Weight Loss: About 45-50 kg (estimate based on source)
Blood Type: A
Citizenship: South Korea
Religion: There is no publicly confirmed official information, but some sources mention the possibility of Christianity by virtue of his charitable activities.
Family: The third of four children; had two older sisters and one younger brother, Jeon Tae-soo (actor, died on January 21, 2018 by suicide).
Education: Universitas Dankook, Jurusan Film dan Televisi (Bachelor of Film and Television)
Agency:
- Wellmade STARM (2003–2013)
- Haewadal Entertainment (2013-present, self-founded agency)
- United Talent Agency (UTA) untuk promosi di Hollywood
- BM+ Entertainment dan Invincible Plan untuk kegiatan promosi internasional (khususnya Tiongkok)
Instagram Account:
@hajiwon1023

Background and early life

Ha Ji-won, born Jeon Hae-rim on June 28, 1978 in Seoul, South Korea, grew up in a large family with six members, including parents and three siblings. Since childhood, Ha Ji-won has dreamed of becoming an actress, a dream that arose from her love of acting. While still in high school, a photo of Ha Ji-won in a photography studio caught the attention of a talent agency, which then offered her a contract to start a career in entertainment. Despite initial doubts, he decided to accept the offer after discussions with his mother, on the condition that he should continue his education in the theater.Ha Ji-won then enrolled at Dankook University, majoring in Film and television to deepen her knowledge and skills in acting. During her college years, she went through a long struggle for roles, attending over 100 auditions before finally debuting. One of the unique auditions was when he was asked to imitate the voice of a dolphin, which showed his dedication to getting the role, despite initially only getting a small role.

The stage name "Ha Ji-won" was chosen on the advice of her former manager, who was inspired by the name of her first love. Ha Ji-won considers this name to be both feminine and strong, matching her personality and ambitions in acting.
Early Career (1996-1999)Ha Ji-won made her acting debut in 1996 through a teen drama New Generation Report: Adults Don’t Understand Us on SBS television, she played a nameless schoolgirl. Despite this small role, he continued to get supporting roles in several plays, such as Dragon’s Tears (1998) and Dangerous Lullaby (1999). However, the turning point of his career occurred in 1999 when he played Jang Se-jin in the drama School 2 production of KBS. This Drama, which raised teenage issues such as bullying and academic pressure, became very popular and made Ha Ji-won's name known among Korean drama fans.

Breakthrough in the world of Film and Drama (2000-2004)In 2000, Ha Ji-won made her film debut through Truth Game, portrays the character Han Da-hye, the president of the fan club. Her stunning performance won her an award Best New Actress in 35th Grand Bell Awards and 1st Busan Film Critics Awards. This success was followed by major roles in films Ditto (2000), which led him to win Best Supporting Actress in Blue Dragon Film Awards. In the same year, he also appeared in the drama Secret (2000), played Lee Ji-eun, who won her Best New Actress in MBC Drama Awards and Baeksang Arts Awards.

In 2002, Ha Ji-won starred in a comedy film Sex Is Zero, which became one of the highest-grossing films in South Korea that year, selling over 4.2 million tickets. Her role as Eun-shik in the stylish film American Pie this confirmed her status as a versatile actress, able to handle both comedy and drama genres. The Film also won Popularity Award in 39th Baeksang Arts Awards.

The year 2003 marked Ha Ji-won's entry into historical drama through Grass, in which she played Chae-ok, a female detective in the Joseon era. The Drama became a cultural phenomenon among young viewers and led to it winning Top Excellence Award in MBC Drama Awards. In the same year, he released his debut music album titled Home Run, with the lead single featuring singer Psy, which was later used as the OST for the film Reversal of Fortune.
The peak of Ha Ji-won's popularity in Asia occurred in 2004 through drama What Happened in Bali (also known as Memories of Bali), where he played Lee Soo-jung, a tour guide who gets caught up in a love triangle with characters played by Jo In-sung and So Ji-sub. The Drama reached a peak rating of 39.7% and made Ha Ji-won win Best Actress in 40th Baeksang Arts Awards. The Drama also introduced him to an international audience, including in Indonesia, due to its filming location on the island of Bali.

Career peak and international recognition (2005-2013)

The period 2005-2013 was the Golden Age of Ha Ji-won, during which she starred in a number of major projects that strengthened her reputation as one of the best actresses of South Korea.

2005-2006: Genre Diversification
- In 2005, Ha Ji-won starred in the film Daddy-Long-Legs and Duelist. In Duelist, she plays Nam-soon, a female detective who is proficient in martial arts, and wins Popularity Award in 26th Blue Dragon Film Awards. He also starred in historical dramas Hwang Jini (2006), portraying the legendary gisaeng of the same name. Her stunning performance in this drama not only won Grand Prize (Daesang) in KBS Drama Awards 2006, but also sparked a trend of Gisaeng-themed dramas in South Korea.
2009-2011: Film success and Secret Garden
- In 2009, Ha Ji-won starred in a disaster film Haeundae (also known as Tidal Wave), which became one of the highest-grossing films in South Korea that year. He also played Lee Ji-soo in Closer to Heaven, which made him win Best Actress in 30th Blue Dragon Film Awards and 46th Baeksang Arts Awards.
- The peak of his career came in 2010-2011 through romantic comedy dramas Secret Garden, where she plays Gil Ra-im, a stuntwoman who exchanges souls with wealthy CEO Kim Joo-won (played by Hyun Bin). The Drama recorded a national rating of 31% and became a cultural phenomenon, winning a number of awards, including Netizen Popularity Award and Best Couple Award (with Hyun Bin) SBS Drama Awards 2010, as well as Best Drama in 47th Baeksang Arts Awards. Her Chemistry with Hyun Bin sparked dating rumors, although the two confirmed that they were just close friends.
- In 2011, she starred in a science fiction film Sector 7, where he practiced diving until obtaining scuba diving certification to explore his role. Although the film was less commercially successful, its dedication received praise.
2012–2013: The King 2 Hearts and Empress Ki
- In 2012, Ha Ji-won played Kim Hang-ah, a North Korean special agent, in the drama The King 2 Hearts with Lee Seung-gi. Her portrayal of a tough yet emotional woman received widespread acclaim.
- In 2013, he starred Empress Ki, an epic historical drama in which she played Ki Seung-nyang, a woman who became Empress of the Yuan Dynasty. The play was very successful internationally and won him Grand Prize (Daesang) both in MBC Drama Awards. Empress Ki strengthening Ha Ji-won's status as a versatile actress capable of handling historical dramas with high emotional intensity.

Career After 2013

After success Empress Ki, Ha Ji-won began to cut back on her acting projects to focus on more selective projects and set up her own agency, Haewadal Entertainment, in 2013 after terminating the contract with Wellmade STARM. He also signed a contract with United Talent Agency (UTA) for promotion in Hollywood and BM+ Entertainment as well as Invincible Plan for activities in China, demonstrating his ambition to expand his career globally.

2015-2017: selected projects and controversies
- In 2015, Ha Ji-won was involved in a legal dispute with a cosmetics company that used her name and face without permission. He had previously helped the company earn 6 billion won (equivalent to Rp71.2 billion) within six months, but decided to sue for infringement of commercial rights. The company claims Ha Ji-won owns 30% of the shares, but the case is in the media spotlight.
- In 2017, she starred in a medical drama Hospital Ship, plays surgeon Song Eun-jae. The Drama showed its capabilities in the medical genre, although it did not achieve such popularity as previous projects.
2018-2020: Variety shows and Movies
- In 2018, Ha Ji-won appeared in a variety show Galileo: Awakened Universe, marking her debut in the variety show World.
- In 2019, he returned to the big screen with a melodrama Chocolate, and in 2020, he starred Pawn, a human drama film whose release was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In Pawn, he portrayed Seung-yi, a role that showed his deep emotional side
2022-2025: Comeback and upcoming projects
- After being absent for several years, Ha Ji-won returns to the screen in 2022 through drama Curtain Call, acting opposite Kang Ha-neul. This Drama, which airs on October 31, 2022, tells The Story of Yoo Jae-hoon and his relationship with a grandmother from North Korea, with Ha Ji-won playing the grandmother's grandson, Park Se-yeon. The Drama received high ratings and marked his successful return.
- In November 2022, he held a fan meeting in Japan (Tokyo on November 25 and Osaka on November 27), demonstrating his continued strong popularity in the international market.
- In 2024, Ha Ji-won is reportedly considering a leading role in a political drama Climax together with Ju Ji-hoon, who will have a background in the South Korean financial and entertainment industry. The Drama was directed by Lee Ji-won, winner Baeksang Arts Awards to Miss Baek. As of July 2025, its status is still under negotiation.

Awards and achievementsHa Ji-won is known as one of the most respected actresses in South Korea for her ability to portray various genres, ranging from historical dramas, romantic comedies, action, to horror. Here are some of its main awards:

2000: Best New Actress in 35th Grand Bell Awards and 1st Busan Film Critics Awards to Truth Game
2000: Best Supporting Actress in Blue Dragon Film Awards to Ditto
2000: Best New Actress in MBC Drama Awards and Baeksang Arts Awards to Secret
2002: Popularity Award in 39th Baeksang Arts Awards to Sex Is Zero
2003: Top Excellence Award in MBC Drama Awards to Grass
2004: Best Actress in 40th Baeksang Arts Awards to What Happened in Bali
2005: Popularity Award in 26th Blue Dragon Film Awards to Duelist
2006: Grand Prize (Daesang) in KBS Drama Awards to Hwang Jini
2009: Best Actress in 30th Blue Dragon Film Awards and 46th Baeksang Arts Awards to Closer to Heaven
2010: Netizen Popularity Award and Best Couple Award (with Hyun Bin) SBS Drama Awards to Secret Garden
2013: Grand Prize (Daesang) in MBC Drama Awards to Empress Ki

In addition to acting awards, Ha Ji-won is also recognized for her off-screen contributions:

2014: Became the first Asian woman to be named a promotional ambassador Operation Smile.
2016: Donated 100 million won (about 1 billion rupiah) to Sewol ferry disaster victims.

Personal life and interesting facts

Proximity to Hyun Bin and V BTS:
- Ha Ji-won and Hyun Bin have become close friends since starring Secret Garden (2010). In an interview at One Night TV Entertainment (SBS), the two have publicly acknowledged their closeness, despite asserting their relationship is purely platonic.
- He is also close friends with BTS'S V, who originated from a shared hobby in art and photography. Ha Ji-won once gave an art book to V and attended a BTS concert to support him.
Ageless:
- At 47 years old (as of 2025), Ha Ji-won still looks youthful, often referred to as being in her 20s. He revealed the secret of his health is the regular consumption of lemons and a healthy lifestyle.
Philanthropy:
- Pada 2005, Ha Ji-won berjanji untuk mendonasikan kornea matanya melalui Organ Donation Center of Love.
- He is active in charitable activities, including donations to victims of the Sewol ferry disaster and support for Operation Smile.
Love Life:
- Until 2025, Ha Ji-won is unmarried and tends to keep her personal life out of the media spotlight. In an interview in 2020, he stated a focus on career and real life, although he once discussed his desire to find a life partner in the future.
Family Tragedy:
- Ha Ji-won experienced deep grief when her younger brother, Jeon Tae-soo, passed away in 2018 due to suicide after battling depression. He acted as the chief mourner in her funeral procession and remembered her as a “beautiful star” on social media.
Hobbies and personality:
- Ha Ji-won is known for being cheerful, friendly, and humble, especially with her juniors in the entertainment industry. He enjoys art, photography, and traveling, and has an interest in sports such as diving and martial arts, which he often studies for role needs.
High Fees:
- Ha Ji-won is one of the highest paid actresses in South Korea, with a per-episode fee of around US$45,000 (around Rp702 million) for the drama. His wealth was also supported by the establishment of his own agency and international contracts.

Selected FilmographyFilm:

Truth Game (2000) – Han Da-hye
Ditto (2000) – So-eun
Sex Is Zero (2002) – Eun-shik
Phone (2002) – Ji-won
Haeundae (2009) – Gang Yeon-hee
Closer to Heaven (2009) – Lee Ji-soo
Sector 7 (2011) – Cha Hae-joon
Pawn (2020) - Seung-yi

Drama:

New Generation Report: Adults Don’t Understand Us (1996) - Supporting Role
School 2 (1999) – Jang Se-jin
Secret (2000) – Lee Ji-eun
Grass (2003) – Chae-ok
What Happened in Bali (2004) – Lee Soo-jung
Hwang Jini (2006) – Hwang Jini
Secret Garden (2010-2011) – Gil Ra-im
The King 2 Hearts (2012) - Kim Hang-ah
Empress Ki (2013-2014) – Ki Seung-nyang
Hospital Ship (2017) - Song Eun-jae
Chocolate (2019) – Moon Cha-young
Curtain Call (2022) – Park Se-yeon

Influence and legacy

Ha Ji-won is known as one of the most versatile actresses in South Korea, with an amazing ability to portray characters of various genres—from the legendary gisaeng to the modern stuntwoman, from a special agent to a surgeon. Flexibility in acting, coupled with his dedication to explore the role (such as practicing diving for Sector 7 or learn self-defense to Duelist), making her a role model for many young actresses.Its popularity is not only limited to South Korea, but also throughout Asia, including Indonesia, Japan, and China, thanks to dramas such as What Happened in Bali, Secret Garden, and Empress Ki. He was also an inspiration to many for his humble attitude, commitment to education, and contributions to philanthropy. With the establishment of Haewadal Entertainment and expansion into the global market, Ha Ji-won continues to show ambition and vision to expand her influence in the international entertainment industry.ClosingHa Ji-won is an icon in the South Korean entertainment industry, who has proven that hard work, talent, and perseverance can lead a person to the pinnacle of success. From her struggling career beginnings to becoming one of the highest-paid and most respected actresses, Ha Ji-won continues to captivate fans with her dazzling acting and ageless charm. With upcoming projects such as Climax and his dedication to continuing to work, he remains one of the big names that will continue to shine in the entertainment world.