ActorHaewadal Entertainment
Ha Ji-won
Ha Ji-won (하지원), born Jeon Hae-rim on June 28, 1978, is a South Korean actress whose career defines sustained leading-lady longevity in Korean entertainment. She studied Bachelor of Film and Television at Dankook University, failed over 100 auditions before her debut, and adopted her stage name as a favor to her first manager. Her early big-screen work, including Sex Is Zero (2002), built a mainstream fanbase before she pivoted to prestige television. The historical drama Damo (2003) made her a household name. Secret Garden (2010) with Hyun Bin became one of Korea's highest-rated romantic dramas of its era. The King 2 Hearts (2012) proved her action-romance range, and the epic Empress Ki (2013-2014) cemented her as one of the most technically demanding performers in the industry, playing Empress Qi across 51 episodes. She founded her own management company, Haewadal Entertainment, in 2013. Her brother is actor Jun Tae-soo.
After a four-year break from television (2022-2026), Ha Ji-won returned in 2026 headlining Climax on ENA and Disney+ opposite Ju Ji-hoon. The political thriller marks her most anticipated comeback in years and reunites her with director Lee Ji-won. The cast also includes Nana, Oh Jung-se, and Cha Joo-young. Two actors who had been slated to work together on the cancelled 2019 drama Prometheus finally share a screen. The wait made the casting feel overdue.
1 articles7 creditsDebut: January 1, 1998South Korean
Gallery
Ha Ji-won profile photo
Ha Ji-won, September 2025. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0
Filmography
2026
ClimaxK-Drama
Chu Sang-ah
2013
Empress KiK-Drama
Empress Qi
2012
The King 2 HeartsK-Drama
Kim Hang-ah
2010
Secret GardenK-Drama
Gil Ra-im
2006
Hwang JiniK-Drama
Hwang Jini
2005
HospitalK-Drama
Kim Sun-joo
2003
DamoK-Drama
Chae-ok
Fans Also Ask
What is Ha Ji-won real name?
Ha Ji-won real name is Jeon Hae-rim (전해림). She adopted the stage name Ha Ji-won as a favor to her first manager, whose unrequited first love shared the name. She was born on June 28, 1978, in Seoul, South Korea.
What is Ha Ji-won most famous role?
Ha Ji-won is best known for Secret Garden (2010) opposite Hyun Bin, which became one of Korea longest-running romantic drama hits of its era. Her other landmark roles include Empress Ki (2013-2014), The King 2 Hearts (2012), and the historical action series Damo (2003).
When did Ha Ji-won start acting?
Ha Ji-won made her television debut in 1996. She broke out in School 2 and won Best New Actress at the 37th Grand Bell Awards in 2000 for her film Truth Game, after reportedly failing over 100 auditions before her debut. Damo (2003) made her a household name nationally.
What company does Ha Ji-won own?
Ha Ji-won founded Haewadal Entertainment in 2013, which she owns and operates. The company handles her own representation and scheduling. She is one of a small group of top Korean actresses who run under their own agency rather than a large management firm.
What is Ha Ji-won latest drama?
Ha Ji-won returned to television in 2026 headlining Climax on ENA and Disney+, a political thriller opposite Ju Ji-hoon. The project marks her comeback after a four-year break from television and reunites her with director Lee Ji-won. The cast also includes Nana, Oh Jung-se, and Cha Joo-young.
