Biography
Who is Ha Ji-won?
Early life and real name
Ha Ji-won was born as Jeon Hae-rim in Boryeong, South Korea, on June 28, 1978. Growing up, she dreamed of becoming an actress from a young age. While she was a senior high school student, an agency discovered her after seeing her photograph at a studio.
Before making her official debut, she faced many challenges in the industry. She once revealed that she failed over one hundred auditions before finally securing roles. She later pursued higher education by attending Dankook University, where she graduated with a degree in film and television.
How Ha became famous
The actress adopted her stage name as a favor for her previous manager. He wanted to use the name of his first love, which was Ha Ji-won, because the relationship was not fulfilled. She thought the name sounded both pretty and bold for her upcoming debut.
She began her television career with supporting roles in various dramas during the late nineteen nineties. Her breakthrough came when she starred in the popular high school drama School 2, playing a troubled teenager that helped her gain wider recognition.
Career highlights
In the year 2000, Ha made her feature film debut in the thriller Truth Game. Her compelling performance earned her the Best New Actress award at the 37th Grand Bell Awards and the 1st Busan Film Critics Awards. She continued to build momentum by starring in the horror movie Nightmare and the romantic film Ditto.
Her career expanded across multiple genres, including action, comedy, horror, and historical dramas. She gained big popularity through her leading roles in television series such as Damo in 2003, Secret Garden in 2010, and Empress Ki in 2013. Her performance in Empress Ki earned her a prestigious Daesang award at the MBC Drama Awards.
Family and education
Ha Ji-won maintains a close connection to her family, which includes her sibling Jun Tae-soo. Despite the demands of her busy acting career, she completed her studies at Dankook University to build a strong foundation for her profession.
Throughout her decades-long career, she has received numerous accolades for her work on both the big and small screens. She remains one of South Korea's most critically acclaimed performers, known for her dedication to physically demanding roles and diverse character portrayals.
Birthday and age
Ha Ji-won was born on June 28, 1978, which makes Ha 48 years old today. That birthday falls under the Cancer sign. Ha shares the date with 74 other famous people.
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