Biography
Who is Han Hyo-joo?
Early life and real name
Han Hyo-joo was born in Cheongju, South Korea, on February 22, 1987. At the time of her birth, she was given the name Han Ji-yeong, which she later changed when she reached the third grade of elementary school. During her childhood, she was particularly skilled in sports such as track and field.
She attended Deokseong Elementary School and Yullyang Middle School before entering Cheongju Girls' High School. In her sophomore year, she moved to Seoul and transferred to Bulgok High School. After graduating, she enrolled at Dongguk University, joining the Theater and Film department within the College of Arts, and graduated in 2010.
Career beginnings
Han entered the entertainment industry after being discovered in a teenage beauty pageant organized by the food corporation Binggrae in 2003. Her early acting credits included a role in the sitcom Nonstop 5 and an appearance in the comedy film My Boss, My Teacher. She also starred in Spring Waltz, the final installment of a popular television drama series directed by Yoon Seok-ho.
In 2006, she took on the lead role in the low-budget independent film Ad-lib Night, directed by Lee Yoon-ki. Her performance in the film earned her Best New Actress honors at the Korean Association of Film Critics Awards and the Singapore International Film Festival, establishing her presence in the independent film community.
Breakthrough and television success
Han achieved widespread recognition through her starring roles in successful television projects such as Heaven & Earth and the historical adventure series Iljimae. Her major career breakthrough arrived when she starred alongside Lee Seung-gi in the 2009 drama Brilliant Legacy, which achieved high viewership ratings and elevated her profile across Asia.
In 2010, she took on the titular role in the historical series Dong Yi, a major domestic and international hit. Her portrayal of Choi Suk-bin earned her several accolades, including the Grand Prize at the MBC Drama Awards and the Best Actress award at the Baeksang Arts Awards. She later returned to television with fantasy suspense series W and supernatural action sci-fi series Moving.
Film career and height
Standing at 170 cm tall, Han has built a diverse filmography in the South Korean cinema industry, taking on roles in melodramas, action films, and crime thrillers. She starred in the romantic drama Always opposite So Ji-sub and played the queen in the historical blockbuster film Masquerade. Her work in the action thriller Cold Eyes earned her Best Actress honors at the Blue Dragon Film Awards.
Her other well-known film credits include Love 911, The Beauty Inside, and Golden Slumber. In 2021, the Korean Film Council selected her as one of two hundred actors representing the past, present, and future of South Korea's movie scene to introduce them to the global film industry.
Birthday and age
Han Hyo-joo was born on February 22, 1987, which makes Han 39 years old today. That birthday falls under the Pisces sign. Han shares the date with 33 other famous people.
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