Ha Jung-woo

Early life

Born as Kim Sung-hoon, Ha Jung-woo came from an acting family. His father Kim Yong-gun is a well-known veteran actor who has appeared in many movies and television series, while his younger brother Kim Young-hoon (stage name: Cha Hyun-woo) is an aspiring actor. Ha has said that since he was 4 or 5 years old, he has always dreamed of becoming an actor like his father. Before entering college, Ha studied at a private acting institute and at one point had actor Lee Beom-soo as his instructor. He then enrolled at Chung-Ang University as a theater major, where he acted on the stage.

In 1998, Ha began his military service, working in the Armed Forces Public Relations Department. He put his acting experience to good use during this time, appearing in 10 promotional films for the military.

Career

2002–2007: Beginnings

Kim Sung-hoon made his acting debut in the 2002 SBS sitcom Honest Living and his feature film debut in the 2003 film Madeleine. For the next few years, Kim's acting career was relatively low-key, appearing in several supporting roles, but not receiving a lot of attention. In 2005, Kim signed with talent agency SidusHQ and on their recommendation adopted the stage name "Ha Jung-woo." He then appeared in his first starring role in the indie film The Unforgiven, a blistering critique of the physical and psychological violence within military ranks.

Ha's subsequent roles in controversial arthouse director Kim Ki-duk's Time and Breath brought more notice to his acting talents in Korea and overseas. His portrayal of a cool-headed prosecutor who is romantically involved with a feisty police officer played by Go Hyun-jung in the popular MBC drama series H.I.T attracted female fans and gained him popularity among the masses. He also starred in the American indie film Never Forever opposite Vera Farmiga, which garnered praise from the film festival circuit.

2008–2009: Breakthrough

Ha's breakout came in the 2008 film The Chaser, in which he played a psychopath character loosely based on serial killer Yoo Young-chul. The movie became a huge hit at the Korean box office, raking in over 5 million ticket sales, while also garnering high praise from critics and numerous awards from local award-giving bodies. American director Martin Scorsese, rumored to be attached to a Hollywood remake of The Chaser, has complimented Ha as having as much potential as his The Departed stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon. Ha followed this up with a portrayal of a charming scoundrel in My Dear Enemy that same year, showcased his versatility and elevated his status as one of the most sought-after actors in the Korean film industry. From 2008 to 2009, he took on diverse but compelling roles in The Moonlight of Seoul, Boat, and Take Off. Take Off, based on the Korean national ski jumping team, became one of the biggest box office hits of 2009.

2010–2018: Commercial and critical success

Ha reunited with his The Chaser director Na Hong-jin and costar Kim Yoon-seok in Na's sophomore feature The Yellow Sea, which netted Ha Best Actor awards from the Asian Film Awards, Baeksang Arts Awards and the Korean Association of Film Critics. Ha then starred in the legal thriller The Client, which evoked his early days of theater, and the director praised Ha for his "moments of true brilliance and genius" during the production. In early 2012, Samsung Electronics produced an ambitious PPL-frequent-film project featuring Galaxy Note, their latest Tablet hybrid mobile. Titled as Cine Note, the giant project comprises three shorts by directors Kang Hyeong-cheol, Jang Hoon and E J-yong. Ha played the leading role for all the three of the films, while celebrated musician Lee Seung-chul produced music using the device, and noted webtoon artists Son Jae-ho and Lee Gwang-soo created the film's animated content.

Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time was Ha's third collaboration with longtime friend director Yoon Jong-bin, also starring acclaimed veteran actor Choi Min-sik. This was followed shortly by the unconventional romantic comedy Love Fiction opposite Gong Hyo-jin. Both were box office hits. After wrapping Love Fiction, Ha along with Gong and 14 other actors went on a cross-country walking trip from Seoul to Haenam, South Jeolla Province. Their journey was chronicled in the documentary 577 Project, denoting the total distance covered in kilometers. Ha was in charge of three aspects of the production including planning, acting and casting. He said he did it to thank fans for their support after he won back-to-back Best Actor awards at the 2010 and 2011 Baeksang Arts Awards. In Ryoo Seung-wan's The Berlin File, Ha starred as a North Korean agent in Berlin who is betrayed and cut loose in the midst of a financial espionage intrigue. He then appeared the action thriller The Terror Live, playing a news anchor with an exclusive, live broadcast on a terrorist attack.

Ha then made his directorial debut with Rollercoaster (released internationally as Fasten Your Seatbelt), based on his own screenplay about the comic interactions between the cabin crew and passengers (including an arrogant Hallyu star played by Jung Kyung-ho) of a flight from Tokyo to Gimpo International Airport which becomes in danger of crashing when the plane hits a major storm. The film was a box office success.

Working with Yoon Jong-bin again, Ha played a Joseon era butcher-turned-outlaw in the period action film Kundo: Age of the Rampant. In 2015, Ha directed, wrote and starred in Chronicle of a Blood Merchant, a film adaptation of Chinese author Yu Hua's 1995 novel. He then appeared in one of the biggest domestic hits of the year, Choi Dong-hoon's Assassination about resistance fighters given orders to kill a Japanese army commander in the colonial era.

In 2016, Ha starred again in two box office hits; Park Chan-wook's The Handmaiden, an adaptation of the Sarah Waters novel Fingersmith that changed the setting from Victorian England to 1930s Korea;, and survival thriller The Tunnel.

In 2017, Ha starred in Kim Yong-hwa's Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds, an adaptation of the webtoon Along With the Gods, about a court in the afterlife where the deceased undergo multiple trials for 49 days, and 1987: When the Day Comes, about a political crisis that led to the June Democratic Uprising in 1987 which ended the military regime of President Chun Doo-hwan.

He reprised his role as Gang-rim in the 2018 sequel, Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days. In the same year, Ha starred in the action thriller Take Point, reuniting with The Terror Live director Kim Byung-woo.

2019–present: Career fluctuations and continued directional feats

In 2019, Ha was cast in the science fiction action film Ashfall alongside Lee Byung-hun. The blockbuster grossed over $61 million worldwide, becoming South Korea's fourth highest-grossing domestic film of 2019. In 2020, Ha starred in the horror film The Closet.

Ha received significant recognition for his role in the 2022 Netflix series Narco-Saints. He won the Grand Prize (Daesang) at the 13th Korea Drama Awards for his performance in the series. The following year, he was nominated for Best Actor in Television at the 21st Director's Cut Awards and secured the Best Actor award at the 2nd Blue Dragon Series Awards. Furthermore, he was honored with the Best Actor in a Leading Role (National Winners – Korea) at the Asian Academy Creative Awards. In 2023, Ha starred in the sports drama film Boston 1947, which tells the story of the 1947 Boston International Marathon.

In 2024, Ha starred in the disaster film Hijack 1971, which is based on the real-life hijacking of a Korean Air flight to North Korea. In 2025, Ha made his directional comeback after ten years with the comedy films Lobby and The People Upstairs. That year, he also starred in the film Nocturnal, marking his return to the crime-thriller genre.

Other activities

Ha is also an artist. Though it began as a hobby in his university days, Ha began painting in earnest in 2007. His paintings, all done in a hybrid of Pop art and Expressionist styles, have been displayed in several solo art exhibitions. Critics have said his paintings, with their strong colors and interesting composition are reminiscent of those by American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. "Life as an actor is like living through an invisible war. Paintings soothe me and make me rational. It is too extravagant to say that painting is my hobby; it is rather a way for me to survive as an actor," said Ha.

In 2011, he published a compilation of essays titled Ha Jung-woo, Good Feeling. Besides his musings on life, Ha also wrote his thoughts on famous artists such as Pablo Picasso. The book also included about 60 of his own drawings.

Filmography

Film

Filmmaking credits

Television series

Web shows

Music videos

• "Betrayal" (Big Mama, 2007)

Theater

• Othello (2003)
• Waiting for Godot (2002)
• The Glass Menagerie (2002)
• The Good Doctor (2001)
• Carmen (2001)
• Be Strong, Geum-soon! (2000)

Discography

Soundtrack appearances

• "Alaska" (Romantic Chimpanzee feat. Ha Jung-woo - Love Fiction OST, 2012)

Book

• Ha Jung-woo, Good Feeling (essays, 2011)
• • Walker, Ha Jung-woo* (essays, 2018)

Accolades

Awards and nominations

State honors

Listicles

Notes

References

References

1. "하정우".
2. (7 August 2009). "Ha Jung Woo Reveals Family Matters".
3. Hong, Lucia. (2 September 2011). "Ha Jung-woo renews contract with fantagio". 10Asia.
4. Beck, Una (13 May 2011). [http://cinematoday.korea.com/2011/05/a-wild-fugitive/ "A Wild Fugitive"] {{webarchive. link. (2011-10-26 . Korea Cinema Today.)
5. (23 October 2005). "Director Looks at Pressures of Military Life".
6. (19 August 2006). "Time".
7. (22 January 2007). "Actor Ha Jung-woo Goes to Sundance Film Festival". KBS Global.
8. (6 February 2008). "Ha Jung-woo explores his dark side".
9. Darcy Paquet, Michael Fleming (6 March 2008). [https://variety.com/2008/film/features/warner-bros-to-remake-the-chaser-1117982002/ "Warner Bros. to remake ''The Chaser''"] {{Webarchive. link. (2017-02-11 . [[Variety (magazine)). Variety]].
10. Lee, Hyo-won (27 August 2008). [https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2008/12/141_30073.html "Jeon Do-yeon, Ha Jung-woo as Ex-Lovers"]. [[The Korea Times]].
11. (18 September 2008). "Jeon, Has Chemistry Give Life to Enemy".
12. (29 April 2008). "Actor Goes From Killer to Professional Casanova". [[The Dong-A Ilbo]].
13. (5 June 2008). "Ha Jeong-woo in Korea-Japan co-production".
14. (6 August 2009). "Ha Jeong-woo becomes a national ski jumper".
15. Park, Sun-young. (3 July 2009). "Tale of Korea's ski jumpers flies onto the big screen".
16. Lee, Hoo-nam (1 September 2009). {{usurped
17. link. (2014-07-27 . Korean Film Biz Zone.)
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22. Lee, Hyo-won (31 August 2011). [https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2011/10/141_93855.html "Ha Jung-woo confident about Korean-style legal thriller"] {{Webarchive. link. (2024-11-30 . [[The Korea Times]].)
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27. Lee, Claire. (23 November 2012). "Movies based on webtoons flourish". [[The Korea Herald]].
28. Jung, Hyun-mok (17 February 2012). {{usurped
29. (23 March 2011). "Actors Ha Jung-woo, Kong Hyo-jin cast in new romantic comedy".
30. Kwaak, Je-yup (2 March 2012). [https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2012/03/141_106103.html "''Love Fiction'' rises above all hype"] {{Webarchive. link. (2024-11-27 . [[The Korea Times]].)
31. link. (2014-03-28 . 10Asia.)
32. (10 August 2012). "On location with The 577 Project". Korea Cinema Today.
33. {{usurped
34. (1 August 2012). "Gong, Ha returning in road trip flick". [[The Korea Herald]].
35. link. (2021-04-27 . Korean Film Biz Zone. 19 December 2011.)
36. (20 January 2013). "Ha Jung Woo Says He was Happy to be with Han Seok Gyu for ''The Berlin File''". enewsWorld.
37. (13 February 2013). "Interview: Ha Jung Woo Says He Loves Korean Food a Lot". enewsWorld.
38. Sunwoo, Carla. (16 July 2013). "Ha back with deskbound thriller". [[Korea JoongAng Daily]].
39. Lee, Hyo-won. (27 July 2013). "PiFan Closes With Local Thriller ''The Terror Live''". [[The Hollywood Reporter]].
40. Lee, Hwa-jung. (29 September 2013). "Korean Film Guide to BIFF 2013: Star Ha Jung-woo ''Jack of All Trades''". Korean Cinema Today.
41. (28 August 2013). "Ha Jung-woo's Directorial Debut Set for October Release".
42. Park, Eun-jee. (16 November 2012). "Korean actors find satisfaction off-camera". [[Korea JoongAng Daily]].
43. Kim, Hyun-min. (8 February 2013). "Rollercoaster Mixes Panic with Humor". Korean Film Biz Zone.
44. (23 October 2013). "Ha Jung-woo's Directorial Debut a Runaway Success".
45. (14 December 2012). "Ha Jung-woo, Gang Dong-won Cast in Period Action Pic". 10Asia.
46. Sunwoo, Carla. (13 June 2014). "Chemistry for Ha, Kang in ''Kundo''". [[Korea JoongAng Daily]].
47. (19 July 2014). "Ha Jung-woo Talks About Directorial Ambitions". [[The Chosun Ilbo]].
48. Baek, Byung-yeul. (2 January 2015). "Actor Ha back with film adaptation of Chinese novel". [[The Korea Times]].
49. Ahn, Sung-mi. (14 January 2015). "Herald Interview: Mastering both sides of the camera". [[The Korea Herald]].
50. (27 January 2015). "Ha shows his versatility in ''Chronicle''". [[Korea JoongAng Daily]].
51. Won, Ho-jung. (22 July 2015). "Herald Interview: Ha Jung-woo brings romance to dark era in ''Assassination''". [[The Korea Herald]].
52. Kim, Su-yeon. (14 November 2014). "Ha Jung-woo Confirms for Park Chan-wook's Agasshi". Korean Film Biz Zone.
53. (22 October 2015). "Bae Doo-na and Ha Jung-woo Enter Tunnel".
54. (22 October 2015). "Ha Jung-woo signs up for webtoon-based movie". [[The Korea Times]].
55. (19 December 2017). "Kim Yun-seok and Ha Jung-woo to Reunite for Save The Green Planet Director".
56. (20 December 2017). "Ha Jung-woo to Compete with Himself at Year-End Box Office".
57. (31 July 2018). "[Interview] How 'Along with the Gods' captivated Asian fans".
58. (2 August 2018). "Busy Ha Jung-woo isn't ready to take a break: The 'Along with the Gods' star sees a lot of himself in his character".
59. (2 August 2018). "Ha Jung-woo Says He's Just Happy to Be Part of Film-making".
60. (21 November 2018). "Actor Ha Jung-woo reunites with 'The Terror, Live' director for 'Take Point'".
61. (24 November 2018). "A-list actors team up for $17 million movie 'Mount Paektu'".
62. (August 28, 2019). "Lee Byung-hun and Ha Jung-woo Wrap Mount Baekdu".
63. "Ashfall (2019)". [[IMDb]].
64. (January 13, 2020). "Ha Jung-woo Ventures into Horror with The Closet".
65. "[HanCinema's News] Ha Jung-woo, Im Si-wan, and Bae Sung-woo Confirmed for "Boston 1947"".
66. "Ha Jung-woo calls shooting 'Hijacking 1971' 'something sublime'".
67. "Ha Jung-woo swings back into action with quirky comedy 'Lobby'".
68. "Ha Jung-woo goes 'all the way' with steamy R-rated film 'The People Upstairs'".
69. Sunwoo, Carla (18 April 2012). {{usurped
70. [http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/06/23/2010062300580.html "Ha Jung-woo to Open 2nd Solo Art Exhibition"] {{Webarchive. link. (2011-12-12 . [[The Chosun Ilbo]]. 23 June 2010.)
71. link. (2014-07-14 . 10Asia.)
72. [http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/03/05/2011030500351.html "Ha Jung-woo Brings on the Clowns in New Art Exhibition"] {{Webarchive. link. (2012-09-05 . [[The Chosun Ilbo]]. 26 April 2011.)
73. Sunwoo, Carla (16 March 2012). {{usurped
74. link. (2014-07-14 . 10Asia.)
75. Choi, Eun-hwa. (17 April 2012). "How Would You Rate Ha Jung Woo's Paintings?". enewsWorld.
76. Sung, So-young. (30 January 2015). "Ha Jung-woo shows art in L.A.". [[Korea JoongAng Daily]].
77. Ahn, Sung-mi. (1 March 2015). "Actor Ha holds solo exhibition in LA". [[The Korea Herald.
78. link. (2014-07-14 . 10Asia.)
79. Sung, So-young (22 April 2012). {{usurped
80. Park, Min-young. (18 April 2012). "Action with brush in hand". [[The Korea Herald]].
81. Yoo, Joo-hyun. (28 January 2014). "Ha Jung-woo's film roles bring out his artistic side". [[Korea JoongAng Daily]].
82. [http://www.askactor.com/gossip/Ha-Jung_Woo-s_First_Attempt_as_an_Author-_-Go_Hyun_Jung_Was_a_Big_Help_in_the_Pictures-/ "Ha Jung Woo's First Attempt as an Author, "Go Hyun Jung Was a Big Help in the Pictures""] {{Webarchive. link. (2012-07-20 . AskActor. 15 May 2011.)
83. (4 February 2010). "Ji Jin-hee feels bad for making Ha Jung-woo murderer again".
84. Kim Soo-young. (January 12, 2023). "[2023 기대작③] 김성훈 감독 '피랍', "박력 있는 영화, 정지할 때도 과감하게"".
85. Han Hyeon-jeong. (January 17, 2023). link
86. link. Jeon Hyung-hwa. MT Star News. (August 17, 2022)
87. "(2021)".
88. Kim Ji-won. (January 16, 2024). link. Ten Asia
89. Yeon Hwi-seon. (December 12, 2024). ["하정우 감독 '윗집 사람들', 공효진X김동욱X이하늬 절침 드림팀 짰다 종합"](https://m.entertain.naver.com/home/article/109/0005211177). Naver.
90. Kim Ji-hye. (March 31, 2023). link
91. (25 June 2016). "Ha Jung-woo to make cameo in 'Entourage'".
92. link. Kim Na-yeon. MT Star News. (August 8, 2022)
93. Kim. Su-jin. (June 26, 2025). link
94. link. Moon Ji-yeon. (October 26, 2022)
95. link. Yoo. Jeong-min. [[iMBC]]. (March 8, 2023)
96. (30 December 2005). "Young Korean directors present Directors' Cut Awards".
97. (14 March 2007). "The Host and actor Ha Jung-woo awarded at Fantasporto".
98. (2 December 2008). "Audi Picks Korea's Most Successful Men". Chosun.
99. (19 December 2008). "Directors select Kong Hyo-jin and Ha Jung-woo".
100. (10 October 2008). "Ha Jung-woo and Su Ae are tomorrow's stars".
101. (27 November 2008). "Ha Jung-woo and Gong Hyo-jin at "Korean Media Festival"".
102. Yi, Chang-ho. (31 December 2008). "Happiness is cinematographer's choice". Korean Film Biz Zone.
103. (12 October 2009). "Kim, Ha win top film critics award".
104. (1 December 2009). "Ha Ji-won Wins 1st Best Actress Award".
105. (10 February 2010). ""Old Partner" wins Best Picture at Max Movie Awards".
106. (29 March 2010). "Ko Hyun-jung, "Haeundae" win grand prize at PaekSang Arts Awards".
107. (24 July 2012). "Ha Jung-woo and Ha Ji-won honored at PiFan".
108. (11 December 2009). "Ha Jung-woo and Park Bo-young, The Best Actor and Actress". TV Report.
109. (4 December 2012). "Pieta Wins Best Picture at Blue Dragon Awards".
110. (13 May 2013). "Ryu Seung-ryong Wins Grand Prize at Baeksang Arts Awards".
111. (18 March 2014). "Ha Jung-woo Most Promising Talent in Osaka".
112. (18 March 2015). ""Chunsa Film Art Awards" 'A Hard Day' takes home Grand Prix, Ha Jung-woo and Bae Doona win best actor and actress". TV Report.
113. (30 November 2015). "5th Hawaii International Film Festival Audience Award Winners".
114. (2 June 2017). "Na Hong-jin Tops Chunsa Film Art Awards".
115. (6 March 2018). "Kim Hye-soo, Ha Jung-woo Honored as Faithful Taxpayers".
116. (16 March 2018). "Actor Ha Jung-woo Wins Cultural Award in Italy".
117. (29 October 2018). "Seoul Awards honor the year's best".
118. link. (1 November 2018)
119. (17 December 2018). "[N현장] 하정우→워너원·'윤식당2', 2018 소비자가 뽑은 영광의 얼굴들(종합)".
120. (28 November 2018). "BTS win the Daesang at Asia Artist Awards 2018 – and are among Artists Of The Year".
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125. "2023 Award Ceremonies".
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