Han Ji-min

Career

2003–2010: Beginnings and breakthrough

Han Ji-min started her career in show business while still a high school student. She made various commercial films (CF) and music videos before gaining wider attention in 2003, when she appeared in hit Korean television dramas All In and Dae Jang Geum. Han said she hadn't dreamed of becoming a serious actress, but changed her mind after starring in All In, where she played the teenage counterpart of the drama's main character, played by popular actress Song Hye-kyo.

Han achieved breakthrough with her performance in the critically acclaimed mania drama Resurrection in 2005. She then challenged herself by playing a cute yet ambitious tomboy who dreams of becoming a pilot in her first movie Blue Swallow.

A car accident on the set of Wolf seriously injured Han and her co-star Eric Mun, causing the drama to be delayed repeatedly until the decision was finally made to discontinue it with only three episodes aired. After a long recovery for Mun, the two actors reunited instead in the drama Super Rookie Ranger (also known as Invincible Parachute Agent or Korea Secret Agency).

Han continued to act in TV dramas, with memorable turns as a straitlaced resistance fighter in Capital Scandal and a royal concubine in the historical drama Yi San. Known for her sweet, innocent and fragile image and her depictions of good girls, Han surprised audiences with her performance as a sexy femme fatale in Detective K: Secret of the Virtuous Widow.

2011–2017: Diverse genres

Han played a cynical veterinarian in Padam Padam, written by famous drama writer Noh Hee-kyung, which aired on newly launched cable channel jTBC. She then starred in Rooftop Prince, about a Joseon-era prince who time-travels to the 21st century where he meets his dead beloved's doppelgänger. The popularity of Rooftop Prince garnered Han several awards, and increased her international profile, notably in Japan.

In October 2013, Han left her talent agency S.M. Entertainment's SM C&C and joined Lee Byung-hun's BH Entertainment.

In 2014, she starred in the opposites-attract romantic comedy film The Plan Man, about a methodical, mysophobic librarian who falls for a spontaneous, adventurous musician. Following that, she played the dowager Queen Jeongsun in period film The Fatal Encounter, who is the fierce political rival of her step-grandson King Jeongjo. Han next reunited with The Fatal Encounter co-star Hyun Bin in the 2015 suspense series Hyde Jekyll, Me, in the role of a circus master who falls for a theme park owner with split personality disorder.

In 2016, Han starred in action thriller The Age of Shadows, based on the 1920s about anti-Japanese independence workers' plots and betrayals. In 2017, Han was cast in romantic short film titled Two Rays of Light alongside Park Hyung-sik.

2018–present: Critical acclaim

In 2018, Han starred in the film Miss Baek, playing the titular protagonist; an ex-convict who is emotionally closed up due to the social stigma. Han's performance in the film won her the Best Actress award at the prestigious Blue Dragon Film Awards and Baeksang Arts Awards as well as other major award ceremonies. The same year, she returned to the small screen with romance fantasy drama Familiar Wife, taking on the role of an ordinary wife with anger management issues.

In 2019, Han starred in two television series; slice of life melodrama The Light in Your Eyes and romance melodrama One Spring Night.

She then appeared in Kwak Jae-yong's romantic comedy film A Year-End Medley in 2021 and tvN television series Our Blues in 2022.

In 2023, she starred in JTBC's Behind Your Touch, playing a veterinarian who gains psychometric powers.

On November 17, 2023, SBS confirmed that Han would star in the romance drama Love Scout as Kang Ji-yoon, CEO of a successful headhunting company. The show premiered on January 3, 2025.

On September 24, 2024, she was appointed 'Blue Dragon Goddess', succeeding Kim Hye-soo. She will also be master of ceremonies for the 45th Blue Dragon Film Awards, to be held on November 29, 2024.

Personal life

Relationships

On August 8, 2024, it was reported that after participating in KBS2's music talk show The Seasons: Choi Jung Hoon's Night Park in August 2023, Han and singer-songwriter Choi Jung-hoon stayed in contact and developed a romantic relationship. Both of their agencies confirmed that the two are dating.

Activism and donations

A Social Welfare major from Seoul Women's University, Han is widely known for actively participating in volunteer work and fund drives, mostly through the relief organization Join Together Society.

In 2009, she published her own book titled We're Already Friends: Han Ji-min's Philippines Donation Book, which includes stories and drawings of her time spent in a remote mountain village in the Philippines helping at a village school. She then donated all the royalties to help in funding the education of children in North Korea and developing countries in Asia.

In 2012, she was designated as goodwill ambassador of the United Nations Environment Programme.

On March 8, 2022, Han donated to help Ukrainian victims in Russian invasion through the Korea Committee for UNICEF.

On May 6, 2022, Han donated to the UN's international relief organization JTS (Join Together Society).

On June 3, 2022, Han became a member of the 'UNICEF Honors Club'.

On August 11, 2022, Han donated to the Handicapped Home to assist in the 2022 South Korea floods through the Seoul Community Chest of Korea (Seoul Fruit of Korea).

On December 24, 2022, Han donated to help support heating costs for people at risk of disaster through the National Disaster Relief Association Hope Bridge.

On February 9, 2023, Han donated to help 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes through UNICEF of Korea.

Filmography

Film

Television series

Web series

Television shows

Hosting

Bibliography

Ambassadorship

• Australian Tourism Public Relations Ambassador (2022)

Accolades

Awards and nominations

State and cultural honors

Listicles

Notes

References

References

1. link
2. link. (February 24, 2004)
3. link. (July 20, 2013 . ''KBS Global''. July 7, 2005)
4. (April 12, 2006). "KOREAN TV DRAMA REVIEWS: 부활 (Rebirth - Director's Cut) PART 2". Twitch Film.
5. [http://www.hancinema.net/sky-s-the-limit-for-han-ji-min-4901.html "Sky's the Limit for Han Ji-min"] {{Webarchive. link. (November 4, 2012 . ''[[The Korea Times]]''. January 8, 2006.)
6. (January 23, 2006). "Eric Hurt in Gallant Attempt to Save Han Ji-min". [[The Chosun Ilbo]].
7. [http://www.hancinema.net/stars-of-tv-drama-wolf-injured-in-car-accident-5049.html "Stars of TV drama ''Wolf'' injured in car accident"] {{Webarchive. link. (October 5, 2011 . ''[[The Korea Herald]]''. [[Hancinema]]. January 24, 2006.)
8. [https://archive.today/20120716233258/http://twitchfilm.com/news/2006/02/wolf-return-set-for-summer.php "늑대 (Wolf) Return Set For Summer"]. ''[[Twitch Film]]''. February 14, 2006.
9. link. (July 21, 2011 . ''SBS Global''. Retrieved November 4, 2012.)
10. [http://content.mbc.co.kr/english/interview/1673261_56322.html "Interview with Han Ji-min (October 18, 2007), who plays the role of Song-yeon in Lee San, Wind of the Palace"] {{Webarchive. link. (July 19, 2014 . ''MBC Global Media''. March 3, 2008.)
11. Han, Sang-hee. (December 21, 2010). "Joseon Detective mixes wit and tradition". [[The Korea Times]].
12. link. (July 20, 2013 . ''KBS Global''. January 21, 2011.)
13. (October 5, 2011). "Jung Woo Sung and Han Ji Min are Lovey-Dovey on Set". enewsWorld.
14. [https://archive.today/20130419044921/http://enewsworld.interest.me/enews/contents.asp?idx=1870 "Han Ji Min Likes Her Co-star Jung Woo Sung"]. ''enewsWorld''. November 30, 2011.
15. [https://archive.today/20130616013536/http://www.tenasia.com/archives/9730 "Han Ji-min to star in Park Yuchun drama"]. ''10Asia''. January 18, 2012.
16. (March 5, 2012). "TV series ''Rooftop Prince'' ready to make the audience raise the roof". 10Asia.
17. (August 31, 2012). "''Deep Rooted Tree'' scoops up grand prize at Seoul International Drama Awards". 10Asia.
18. (November 19, 2012). "Han Ji Min Holds First Fan Meet in Japan". enewsWorld.
19. (November 20, 2012). "Han Ji-min has first Japan fan meet". [[Korea JoongAng Daily]].
20. (October 1, 2013). "Han Ji-min Signs with Lee Byung-hun's Agency".
21. (January 16, 2014). "Han Ji-min Grunges Out But Still Adorable in New Movie". [[The Chosun Ilbo]].
22. (January 21, 2014). "Han Ji-min happy to be loud, wild". [[Korea JoongAng Daily]].
23. "'Fatal Encounter' deathly boring". [[Korea JoongAng Daily]].
24. (October 29, 2014). "Han Ji Min to Transform into Circus Master and Hyun Bin's Love Interest in ''Jekyll, Hyde, I''". enewsWorld.
25. (September 2, 2016). "'The Age of Shadows' is a beautiful spy adventure; Colonial era thriller keeps viewers on the edge of their seats".
26. (December 8, 2017). "HUR Jin-ho Returns with New Short Film". Korean Film Biz Zone.
27. (September 13, 2018). "Han Ji-min of 'Miss Baek' : Taking new role was more exciting than nerve-wracking".
28. (May 2, 2019). "Veteran actress Kim Hye-ja wins grand prize at Baeksang Awards".
29. (July 25, 2018). "'Angelic' Han Ji-min takes role of angry, 'Familiar Wife'".
30. link. (November 7, 2018)
31. (February 1, 2019). "Han Ji-min, Jung Hae-in to co-star in dram".
32. (February 4, 2019). "Jung Hae-in, Han Ji-min to Warm Viewers with Rom-Com This Spring".
33. link. Sport TV News. [[Naver]]. Kim Hyun-rok. (April 22, 2021)
34. (October 17, 2021). "'Our Blues,' set on Jeju, will have star-studded cast". [[Korea JoongAng Daily]].
35. link. Lee. Mi-ji. [[Herald Pop]]. (November 17, 2023)
36. link. SBS News]]. Jo. Sung-hyun. (November 13, 2024)
37. link. Ahn Jin-yong. [[Munhwa Ilbo]]. [[Naver]]. (September 24, 2024)
38. link. Jang. A-reum. (August 8, 2024)
39. (August 8, 2024). "Actress Han Ji-min, Jannabi's Choi Jung-hoon confirm relationship".
40. (August 8, 2024). "Actress Han Ji-min and Jannabi's Choi Jung-hoon Confirm Their Relationship".
41. link. Aladin. (August 15, 2009)
42. link. (September 3, 2014 . ''10Asia''. February 7, 2011.)
43. (September 13, 2012). "Han Ji-min to stand up for the environment". [[Korea JoongAng Daily]].
44. link. [[Yonhap News Agency]]. Im Sung-ho. (March 8, 2022)
45. link. [[iMBC]]. Yoo Jeong-min. (May 6, 2022)
46. link. [[The Korea Economic Daily]]. Jang Ji-min. (June 3, 2022)
47. link. [[Sports Chosun]].. Jo Ji-young. (August 11, 2022)
48. link. MK Sports. Kim Na-young. (December 24, 2022)
49. link. X-ports News. Hwang Soo-yeon. (February 9, 2023)
50. link. (January 29, 2018 . IndieStory. Retrieved November 4, 2012.)
51. (July 5, 2007). "'Cut' Dissects Horror With Dramatic Edge".
52. (September 8, 2010). "Lead actress in Jeong Yak Yong is finally revealed".
53. (November 17, 2012). "'Talent Donation' Han Ji-Min "I hope the disabled would watch the movie with us"". Innolife.
54. (January 3, 2014). "Heroine Han Ji-min talks about new movie ''Plan Man''". [[The Dong-A Ilbo]].
55. (August 18, 2014). "Kang Je-gyu's "Salut D'Amour" casts Han Ji-min, Cho Jin-woong, Chanyeol". [[Edaily]].
56. link. . . (September 7, 2015)
57. link
58. (September 30, 2017). "LEE Byung-hun and PARK Jung-min Wrap THAT'S ONLY MY WORLD". Korean Film Biz Zone.
59. link. (October 23, 2017)
60. (January 25, 2017). "HAN Ji-min Takes on MISS BAEK".
61. link. (June 16, 2018)
62. link. Hwang. Su-yeon. (October 28, 2019)
63. link. Kim Hyun-rok. (April 22, 2021)
64. link. (August 12, 2003)
65. link. (May 4, 2006)
66. link. Star News]]. (July 24, 2006)
67. (April 30, 2007). "Kang Ji-hwan, Han Ji-min cast as main leads for 'Capital Scandal'". Broasia.
68. [http://www.hancinema.net/interview-han-ji-min-who-finished-filming-yi-san-interview-i-wouldn-t-love-a-real-king-14129.html "Interview: Han Ji-min, who finished filming Yi San, "I wouldn't love a real king""] {{Webarchive. link. (February 19, 2023 . ''Herald Media''. [[Hancinema]]. June 12, 2008.)
69. link. (March 19, 2009)
70. link
71. (January 8, 2012). "Park Yu-chun and Han Ji-min cast in new SBS drama "Rooftop Prince"". [[Korea JoongAng Daily]].
72. (October 31, 2014). "Han Ji-min, Hyun Bin together again". [[Korea JoongAng Daily]].
73. (September 23, 2016). "SBS 측 "한지민, '질투의화신' 특별출연..조정석과 소개팅"".
74. (July 6, 2018). "Actress Han Ji-min to return after three-year hiatus".
75. link. Newsen. Lee Min-ji. (October 7, 2021)
76. link. [[MyDaily]]. Lee. Seung-gil. (November 8, 2022)
77. link. [[Osen (newspaper). OSEN]]. Kim. Chae-yeon. (November 17, 2023)
78. Hong. Se-young. (February 26, 2025). link
79. link. Lee. Su-jin. (May 15, 2025)
80. link. OSEN]]. (July 7, 2016)
81. link. [[Sports Kyunghyang]]. Kim. Hye-jeong. (September 2, 2021)
82. link
83. link. Newsen. Lee Min-ji. (October 7, 2021)
84. link. SBS Entertainment News. Kang. Seon-ae. (November 8, 2023)
85. "Kim Nam-gil and Han Ji-min to host BIFF Opening Ceremony".
86. link. Yoon Seong-yeol. [[Star News (South Korea). Star News]]. [[Naver]]. (September 24, 2024)
87. link. [[Segye Ilbo]]. Kang Mi-sun. (June 16, 2022)
88. link. (December 9, 2012)
89. link. [[Sports Kyunghyang]]. Hwang. Hyo-yi. (September 6, 2022)
90. (November 1, 2019). "Asian Film Awards: South Korea's 'Burning' Tops Nominations".
91. (January 23, 2011). "Winners of 2011 Asia Model Awards". [[KBS World]].
92. (November 23, 2018). "'1987' wins best picture at Blue Dragon Awards".
93. (August 28, 2019). "28th Buil Film Awards Nominees 2019".
94. (July 3, 2019). "2019 춘사영화제, 7월 18일 개최..트로피 주인공 누구?". K Starnews.
95. (December 19, 2018). "[2018년 총결산⑥] 올해의 여자배우 - <미쓰백> 한지민".
96. link. (December 12, 2019)
97. (September 20, 2015). "Kim Hye-soo and Sul Kyung-gu to be awarded the Best Actress and Actor". Segye.
98. link. (August 28, 2017)
99. link. (January 1, 2005)
100. link. (January 1, 2006)
101. link. OSEN]]. (January 30, 2019)
102. (October 30, 2018). "1987 Tops 38th Korean Film Critics Awards".
103. (October 5, 2012). "Winners At The 5th Korea Drama Awards".
104. (December 24, 2018). "1987 Takes Home Another Grand Prize at KFPA Awards".
105. link. (October 26, 2018)
106. (October 27, 2018}}{{Dead link). "Han Ji Min win "Best Actress Awards" at LEAFF".
107. (October 2018). "#BIFF 아시아 스타 어워즈 2018".
108. (January 7, 2007). "2007 Year-end Korean drama awards round-up". Star Money.
109. link. [[Naver]]. (December 31, 2019)
110. link. [[Naver]]. (December 31, 2019)
111. (June 20, 2012). "Han Ji-min takes Mnet drama award". [[Korea JoongAng Daily]].
112. (January 1, 2013). "Big Winners of 2012 Announced at Drama Awards Ceremonies of Major Broadcasters". 10Asia.
113. link. Lee. Ji-hyun. News 1. (January 1, 2025)
114. link. Choi. Hee-jae. Edaily. (January 1, 2026)
115. link. (December 12, 2018)
116. link. (October 24, 2023)
117. Hicap, Jonathan. (October 18, 2018). "BTS, Red Velvet win at Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards". Manila Bulletin.
118. Yeo, Yer-im. (October 25, 2018). "BTS gets award upon their return home". [[Yonhap News Agency]].
119. Lee, Sang-won. (October 25, 2016). "Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards announces winners". [[The Korea Herald]].
120. link. (October 22, 2019)
121. link. (June 12, 2009)
122. (June 29, 2017). "Actress awarded for sharing".
123. Sullivan, Martin. (July 8, 2020). "K-Pop Stars Promote South Korean Tax Compliance". Forbes.
124. (March 5, 2012). "[TD포토] 한지민 '납세도 미모도 대통령 표창감'".
125. link
126. link. [[JoongAng Ilbo]]. Kim. Min-soo. (April 23, 2019)
127. 조선일보. (2021-01-18). "[공식] 영화진흥위원회, 韓배우 200인 선정..'Korean Actors 200' 해외 홍보 나선다".
128. "KOREAN ACTORS 200".