Han Hyo-joo

Han Hyo-joo

Han in November 2021

Born Han Ji-yeong

February 22, 1987 (age 37)

Yullryang-dong, Cheongju, North Chungcheong

Province, South Korea

Education Dongguk University (Department of Theatre and

Film)[1]

 Actress
Occupations
 model

 singer

Years active 2003–present

Agents  BH [ko]
  FlaMme [ja]

Height 170 cm (5 ft 7 in)[2]

Korean name

Hangul 한효주

Hanja 韓孝周

Revised Han Hyo-ju

Romanization

McCune–Reischauer Han Hyoju

Website bhent.co.kr

Han Hyo-joo (Korean: 한효주; born Han Ji-yeong, February 22, 1987) is a South
Korean actress, model and singer. She is best known for her leading roles in television
series such as Heaven & Earth (2007), Iljimae (2008), Brilliant Legacy (2009), Dong
Yi (2010) for which she won the coveted Best Actress award at the 47th Baeksang Arts
Awards, W (2016), Happiness (2021) and Moving (2023), as well as the
films Masquerade (2012), which is one of the highest grossing Korean films of all-
time, Cold Eyes (2013), for which she won Best Actress at the 34th Blue Dragon Film
Awards, Love 911 (2012), The Beauty Inside (2015), and The Pirates: The Last Royal
Treasure (2022).
Early life[edit]
Han Hyo-joo was born in Yullryang-dong, Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province.
[1]
Her mother was an elementary school teacher before becoming an inspector for public
schools, and her father was an air force lieutenant colonel who served at a reserve. At
the time of her birth, Han was given the name Han Ji-yeong (Korean: 한지영) but when
she entered the third grade, she changed it to her current name. She also has a
younger brother and attended Deokseong Elementary School. As a child, she was good
in sports, particularly track and field.
After graduating from Yullyang Middle School in 2002, she attended Cheongju Girls'
High School until 2004. In her sophomore year of high school, she moved to Seoul and
transferred to Bulgok High School in Bundang-gu, Seongnam, despite the objections of
her strict and conservative father. After graduating in March 2005, she entered Dongguk
University's College of Arts, where she joined the Theater and Film department, and
eventually graduated in 2010.[3]
Career[edit]
2003–2006: Beginnings[edit]
Han was first discovered in a teenage beauty pageant organized by food corporation
Binggrae in 2003. She began her acting career in the sitcom Nonstop 5 and the
gangster comedy film My Boss, My Teacher.[4][5] Han later raised her profile by starring
in Spring Waltz, the fourth and final installment of TV director Yoon Seok-ho's "season
drama" series.[6]
In 2006, director Lee Yoon-ki cast Han in the starring role in his low-budget independent
film Ad-lib Night, which follows a young woman who rediscovers herself through an
eerie overnight encounter with strangers.[7] She won the Best New Actress awards at
the Korean Association of Film Critics Awards and Singapore International Film
Festival for her performance.
2007–2010: Breakthrough roles and overseas popularity[edit]
Han then starred in two highly successful TV projects and rose to fame - KBS daily
drama Heaven & Earth with Park Hae-jin in 2007,[8] and SBS masked-adventurer
series Iljimae with Lee Joon-gi in 2008.[9] Both dramas drew solid viewership ratings
nationwide throughout its run with high viewer ratings and launched Han into a
household name. Afterwards, she was cast in another indie film, Ride Away, which
debuted at the 2008 Jeonju International Film Festival.[10]
Han then filmed the Korean-Japanese telecinema co-production Heaven's Postman,
which also featured pop star Jaejoong from TVXQ (now JYJ).[11] After several
postponements, it was released in theaters in late 2009, and broadcast on TV in 2010.
Han's breakthrough came in Brilliant Legacy costarring Lee Seung-gi, which became a
massive hit in 2009, reaching a peak viewership rating of 47.1%.[12][13][14] It catapulted Han
to stardom, and after the drama's conclusion, she experienced a sharp rise in
endorsement deals and media requests for interviews, as well as increased pan-Asian
popularity.[15][16] Later that year Han wrapped up her starring role in the musical
drama Soul Special, which aired on KBS Joy.[17]
In 2010, Han took on the titular character in MBC's 49th anniversary project Dong Yi.[18]
[19]
The series became a hit during its run both domestically and across Asia.[20][21] Han won
several acting awards for her portrayal of Choi Suk-bin, including the Daesang (Grand
Prize) award at MBC Drama Awards and the coveted Best Actress award at Baeksang
Arts Awards.[22][23]
2011–2015: Film roles[edit]
In 2011, Han played a blind telemarketer opposite So Ji-sub's ex-boxer in the
melodrama film Always.[24] Helmed by director Song Il-gon, it premiered as the opening
film of the 2011 Busan International Film Festival.[25][26][27] Han later contributed voice
narration to the "barrier-free" version of Japanese film My Back Page, which features
descriptive audio and subtitles for people with hearing or visual impairments.[28][29]
Han then played the queen to Lee Byung-hun's Gwanghae in the 2012 blockbuster
period film Masquerade,[30][31] which became one of the highest-grossing Korean films of
all time. She followed that with Love 911, an unlikely romance between a doctor and a
firefighter (Go Soo).[32][33]
 Han at the 34th Blue Dragon Film Awards in November 2013
In 2013, Han starred opposite Sol Kyung-gu and Jung Woo-sung in action thriller Cold
Eyes, a remake of the 2007 Hong Kong film Eye in the Sky.[34][35] The film dominated the
box office after its release and became one of the biggest domestic hits of 2013.[36] Han
received acting recognition for her performance, winning Best Actress from the Blue
Dragon Film Awards and Buil Film Awards.[37][38]
In 2014, Han and Love 911 costar Go Soo reunited in Myohyangsangwan ("View
of Mount Myohyang"), which depicts the rendezvous of a South Korean painter and a
North Korean waitress in a North Korean restaurant. The short film is a collaboration
by contemporary artists Moon Kyung-won and Jeon Joon-ho, and combined a theatrical
plot, experimental imagery, dance and performance art.[39][40]
She then ventured into the overseas market by starring in her first Japanese film, Isshin
Inudo's Miracle: Debikuro-kun no Koi to Maho ("Miracle Devil Claus' Love and Magic").
Set during the Christmas season, the film is a love story about a kind bookstore
employee (played by Masaki Aiba from J-pop boyband Arashi) who meets three
women.[41][42]
In 2015, Han starred in the musical biopic C'est Si Bon, which depicted the ups and
downs of the folk music group Twin Folio, which was active from the 1960s to 80s.
Famous for its live performances, C'est Si Bon was the name of a popular music lounge
located in Mugyo-dong in the 1970s, where Twin Folio got its start; Han played the
group's muse.[43] This was followed by romantic comedy film The Beauty Inside, where
Han's character falls in love with a man who changes to different people every day.[44][45]
Later that year, Han got together with Yoo Yeon-seok and Chun Woo-hee, both of her
co-stars in The Beauty Inside, again for Love, Lies, a movie which depicts the last story
of gisaeng during the Japanese occupation in the 1940s.[46][47]
2016–present: Television comeback and American
advancement[edit]
In 2016, Han returned to the small screen with MBC's fantasy suspense
series W alongside Lee Jong-suk.[48] Helmed by director Jung Dae-yoon who
directed She Was Pretty and writer Song Jae-jung whose previous works include Nine:
Nine Time Travels and Queen In-hyun's Man, expectations were high as this marked
Han's return to the small screen after 6 years.[49][50] She won the Top Excellence award at
the 5th APAN Star Awards and MBC Drama Awards for her performance in W.

Han in 2017
In 2018, Han starred in the thriller Golden Slumber alongside Kang Dong-won.[51] The
same year, she reunited with Kang as the female lead in sci-fi action thriller Illang: The
Wolf Brigade, based on the Japanese animated flick of the same name.[52][53][54]
In 2019, Han was confirmed as part of the main cast of American television
series Treadstone, an offshoot from Universal's Bourne franchise.[55][56]
In 2020, Han was cast in a Japanese action film Taiyō wa Ugokanai ("The Sun Stands
Still"), directed by Eiichiro Hasumi. Based on the novel of the same name, Han plays an
elusive and mysterious spy who travels across the world on adventures whilst hiding her
true intentions.[57]

Han in November 2021

In 2021, Han acted as a member of a counter-terrorist squad in the apocalyptic thriller
drama Happiness, starring opposite Park Hyung-sik. Directed by Ahn Gil-ho, the drama
depicted class discrimination, conflicting human desires and the struggle for survival
amongst a group of house-owners in an apartment in Korea due to a mysterious virus
outbreak that threatens the livelihood of the inhabitants in a city.[58]
In 2022, Han stars alongside Kang Ha-neul and Lee Kwang-soo in The Pirates: The
Last Royal Treasure, the sequel to the 2014 blockbuster The Pirates. She plays the role
of Hae-rang, the captain of the pirate ship.[59] The film marks her return to Korean cinema
after 4 years since Illang: The Wolf Brigade. In October, Han made a special
appearance in the film 20th Century Girl, playing the adult version of Kim Yoo-jung's
character.[60]
In 2023, Hyo-joo starred in the Disney + series Moving alongside Ryu Seung-ryong, Zo
In-sung, Cha Tae-hyun, Ryoo Seung-bum, Kim Sung-kyun, Lee Jung-ha, Go Youn-
jung, and Kim Do-hoon. The drama premiered on August 9, 2023.[61] In November 2023,
Han was named the first ever winner of the Best Actress award in the Series Category
at the 59th Grand Bell Awards for her role in Moving.[62]
Personal life[edit]
Han is trilingual; she is able to speak fluently in Korean, English, and Japanese.[63][unreliable
source?]

Philanthropy[edit]
In May 2022, Han donated ₩50 million to Asan Medical Center, and also donated ₩50
million in 2021. It will be used for the cost of treatment such as surgery so that young
patients do not miss treatment due to economic burdens.[64]
Controversy[edit]
Legal action allegations[edit]
In November 2013, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office indicted Han's ex-
manager from her former agency Fantom Entertainment for attempted extortion.
According to the police, the ex-manager surnamed Lee illegally transferred 16 photos of
Han and her ex-boyfriend from her digital camera to his mobile phone. Lee then
threatened to publish the compromising photos unless he and his two accomplices were
paid ₩400 million; Han's father paid them ₩10 million. In a press release, Han's
agency BH Entertainment said the actress did not engage in any activities that deserve
public criticism and threatened "strong measures" to deal with blackmail.[65][66]
In September 2014, the South Korean media reported that a petition was being
circulated to boycott Han's appearance in TV commercials.[67] The petition stemmed from
Han's younger brother allegedly bullying a fellow airman while both were in mandatory
military service that resulted in the latter's suicide. The negative publicity was
exacerbated by Han herself having once been appointed as a goodwill ambassador for
the Republic of Korea Air Force.[68]
Filmography[edit]
Film[edit]

Year Title Role Notes Ref.

2006 My Boss, My Teacher Yoo Mi-jung [5]

[7]
Ad-lib Night Bo-kyung Independent film
Year Title Role Notes Ref.

Ride Away Im Ha-jung [10]

2008
Woman at the bus stop / Voice
My Dear Enemy Cameo
on the phone

Korea and Japanese co-

2009 Heaven's Postman Jo Hana / Saki [11]

production

2011 Always Ha Jeong-hwa [24]

Masquerade Queen Consort [30]

2012
Love 911 Go Mi-soo [33]

2013 Cold Eyes Ha Yoon-ju [34]

View of Mount Myohyang Oh Yeong-ran Short film [39]

2014
Miracle: Devil Claus' Love
Tae So-yeon Japanese film [41]

and Magic

C'est Si Bon Min Ja-young [43]

2015
The Beauty Inside Hong Yi-soo [45]

2016 Love, Lies Jung So-yul [46]

[51]
2018 Golden Slumber Jeon Sun-young
Year Title Role Notes Ref.

Illang: The Wolf Brigade Lee Yoon-hee [52]

2021 The Sun Does Not Move Ayako Japanese film [69]

The Pirates: The Last Royal

Hae-rang [59]

Treasure
2022
Special appearance;
20th Century Girl Adult Na Bo-ra [70]

Netflix film

2023 Believer 2 Keunkal Netflix film [71]

Television series[edit]

Year Title Role Notes Ref.

Episode 167, 183-

2005 Nonstop 5 Han Hyo-joo [4]

257

2006 Spring Waltz Seo / Park Eun-young [6]

Heaven &
2007 Suk Ji-soo [8]

Earth

2008 Iljimae Eun-chae [9]

Brilliant
Go Eun-sung [13]

Legacy
2009

Soul Special Jin Mi-ah Short drama [17]

Year Title Role Notes Ref.

Dong-yi (later Choi Suk-

2010 Dong Yi [18]

bin)

2016 W Oh Yeon-joo [48]

2019 Treadstone So-yun American series [55]

2021 Happiness Yoon Sae-bom [58]

Web series[edit]

Year Title Role Notes Ref.

Dramaworld
2021 Park So-yun Cameo [72]

2023 Moving Lee Mi-yeon [73]

2024 Blood Free Yoon Ja-yu [74]

Television shows[edit]

Year Title Role Notes Ref.

2005–2006 Inkigayo Host with Andy

On Rent: House on with the cast of The Pirates

2021 Cast member [75]

Wheels 2

Music video appearances[edit]

Year Song title Artist Album Ref.

2004 "I Love You" (사랑해요) Simply Sunday I Love You

"Just because you are in this world" (그

Position Renaissance
대가 이 세상에 있는 것만으로도)

2005
"Paris" Epik High Swan Songs

"Farewell is" (이별은) U Farewell is...

2006 "One Love" Loveholic Spring Waltz OST [76]

"All men are like that" (남잔 다 그래) Lee Woo-sang One Fine Day

"Let's break up" (헤어져) As One Love Tonic

"Two are better" (둘이 더 좋아) Rumble Fish

2009

Han Hyo-joo feat. Gan-D

"Sudden Burst of Tears" (왈칵 눈물이) [77]

of buga kingz Soul Special OST

"Unable To Love" (사랑한단 말을 못해

K.Will
서) (ver.1)

"Don't You Know" Han Hyo-joo, No Reply [78]

Han Hyo-joo with

2010
GMF 2010
"Popcorn" (팝콘) (GMF 2010 Lozik
Daybreak
RMX)

[79]
2012 "Hide and Seek" (숨바꼭질) Han Hyo-joo, Broccoli, Hide and Seek
Year Song title Artist Album Ref.

You Too?

Discography[edit]
Singles[edit]

Title Year Album

"It's the First Time" (처음이었어요) 2005 Nonstop 5 OST

"Ride Away" (달려라 자전거) 2008 Ride Away OST[76]

"Sudden Burst of Tears" (왈칵 눈물이) 2009 Soul Special OST[77]

(Han Hyo-joo feat. Gan-D of buga kingz)

"You" (CF ver.)(그대) You[80]

(Brown Eyed Soul feat. Han Hyo-joo)

2010
"Don't You Know" Han Hyo-joo with GMF 2010[78]
(Han Hyo-joo, No Reply)

"8 A.M." (아침 8 시)

(My-Q feat. Han Hyo-joo)

8 A.M[81]
"Oh Seoul"(오 서울)
(M-Q feat. Han Hyo-joo) 2011

"Time for Love" (연애시대)

(Lee Seung-gi feat. Ra.D) Time for Love [82]
(narr. Han Hyo-joo)

"Hide and Seek" (숨바꼭질) 2012 Hide and Seek[79]

(with Broccoli, You Too?)
"Let us forget" (이젠 잊기로 해요)

2015 C'est Si Bon OST

"I'll Give It All To You" (나 그대에게 모두 드리
리)
(with Jung Woo)

"Love, Lies" (사랑 거즛말이)

2016 Love, Lies OST [83]

"Spring lady" (봄 아가씨)
(with Chun Woo-hee)

Accolades[edit]
Awards and nominations[edit]

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the
nomination

Nominee /
Award ceremony Year Category Result Ref.
Work

Andre Kim Best Star

2009 Female Star Award Han Hyo-joo Won [84]

Awards

Top Excellence Award,

W Won [85]

Actress in a Miniseries

APAN Star Awards 2016

Han Hyo-
Best Couple Award joo with Lee Jong- Nominated
suk

Asian Film Awards 2014 Best Actress Cold Eyes Nominated

Baeksang Arts Awards 2010 Best Actress – Television Brilliant Legacy Nominated

[23]
2011 Dong Yi Won
Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the
nomination

Nominee /
Award ceremony Year Category Result Ref.
Work

Most Popular Actress –

Nominated
Television

2013 Love 911 Nominated

Best Actress – Film
2016 The Beauty Inside Nominated

2013 Cold Eyes Won [37]

Blue Dragon Film Awards Best Leading Actress

2015 The Beauty Inside Nominated

Best Leading Actress Nominated [86]

Blue Dragon Series

2022 Happiness
Awards
Popular Star Award Won [87]

2013 Cold Eyes Won [38]

Best Actress
2016 The Beauty Inside Nominated
Buil Film Awards

Illang: The Wolf

2018 Popular Star Award Nominated
Brigade

BIFF with Marie Love, Lies, The

2016 Asia Star Award Won [88]

Claire Asia Star Awards Beauty Inside

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the
nomination

Nominee /
Award ceremony Year Category Result Ref.
Work

CETV Asia's Top 10

2012 Hallyu Star Prize Han Hyo-joo Won [89]

Popular Star Awards

2016 Best Actress The Beauty Inside Nominated

Grand Bell Awards
2023 Best Actress in a Series Moving Won [90]

Hong Kong Cable TV

2011 Dong Yi Best Actress Won [91]

Awards

2006 Spring Waltz Nominated

Best New Actress
Nominated
Heaven & Earth
KBS Drama Awards Popularity Award Won
2007
[92]
Han Hyo-
Best Couple Award joo with Park Hae- Won
jin
Heaven & Earth

2006 Best New Actress Ad-lib Night Won [93]

Korean Association of
Film Critics Awards
2013 Best Actress Cold Eyes Nominated

Korea Best Dressed Swan

2007 Best Dressed Han Hyo-joo Won [94]

Awards
Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the
nomination

Nominee /
Award ceremony Year Category Result Ref.
Work

Top Excellence Award,

Korea Drama Awards 2010 Dong Yi Won [95]

Actress

Korean Film Actor's

2015 Top Star Award The Beauty Inside Won [96]

Association Awards

Korea Jewelry Awards 2008 Pearl Award Han Hyo-joo Won

Korea World Youth Film

2013 Favorite Actress Cold Eyes Won [97]

Festival

Max Movie Awards 2016 Best Actress The Beauty Inside Nominated

MBC Drama Awards Grand Prize (Daesang) Won

Top Excellence Award,

2010 Dong Yi Nominated [22]

Actress

Popularity Award Won

[98]
2016 Grand Prize (Daesang) Nominated

W
Top Excellence Award,
Won
Actress in a Miniseries

Best Couple Award Han Hyo- Won

joo with Lee Jong-
suk
Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the
nomination

Nominee /
Award ceremony Year Category Result Ref.
Work

Miss Binggrae Smile

2003 Grand Prize Han Hyo-joo Won
Pageant

Mnet 20's Choice Awards 2009 Hot Female Drama Star Brilliant Legacy Won [99]

2008 New Star Award Iljimae Won [100]

Excellence Award, Actress

Won
in a Special Planning Drama
Brilliant Legacy
SBS Drama Awards
Top 10 Stars Won
2009 [101]

Han Hyo-
Best Couple Award joo with Lee Seung- Won
gi
Brilliant Legacy

Seoul International Drama

2010 Outstanding Korean Actress Brilliant Legacy Won [102]

Awards

Singapore International
2007 Best Actress Ad-lib Night Won [103]

Film Festival

State honors[edit]
 Name of country, year given, and name of honor

Country Or Organization Year Honor Or Award Ref.

Taxpayers' Day 2011 Presidential Commendation as Honest Taxpayer [104]

Listicles[edit]

Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement

Publisher Year Listicle Placement Ref.

2011 36th [105]

2012 30th [106]

Forbes 2013 Korea Power Celebrity 40 31st [107]

2014 35th [citation needed]

2017 38th [108]

Moviewalker 10 Korean Actors that Movie Writers

2024 Top 10 [109]

Press Recommended in 2024