Biography of Ha Jung-woo
Actor, film director, screenwriter and film producer Ha Jung-woo, born by the name Kim Sung-hoon is one of the highest-grossing actors in South Korea. His starring films have collected more than 100 million tickets.
His breakthrough role came with the film, ‘The Caser’, in 2008 and from there on he began to show his versatility across films, including My Dear Enemy’, ‘Take Off’, ‘The Yellow Sea’, ‘Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time’, ‘Love Fiction’, ‘The Berlin File’ and ‘The Terror Live’.
Furthermore, South Korean films, including ‘Fasten Your Seatbelt’ and ‘Chronicle of a Blood Merchant’ are from his directorial excellence.
Early Life and Education
Ha Jung-woo was born on 11 March 1978 in Jamwon-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, South Korea as Kim Sung-hoon. He was born to an acting family, as the son of a well-known veteran actor Kim Yong-gun. His younger sibling Kim Young-hoon, known as Cha Hyun-woo, is an aspiring actor.
Jung-woo dreamed of becoming an actor like his father from a very young age. After his schooling and prior college days, he studied at a private acting institute. He also received an opportunity to train under actor Lee Beom-soo. He enrolled at Chung-Ang University and majored in Theatre.
Career
Actor Ha Jung-woo made his acting debut in 2002, with the SBS sitcom, ‘Honest Living’. Next year, he was featured in the South Korean romance film, ‘Madeleine’ starring Jo In-sung and Shin Min-ah in lead roles.
Although he appeared in several supporting roles, his acting career was relatively low during his initial career days. He changed his name from Kim Sung-hoon to Ha Jung-woo after signing with the talent agency SidusHQ in 2005.
His first starring role came in the 2005 South Korean drama film, ‘The Unforgiven’, directed by Yoon Jong-bin. The film was based on a blistering critique of the psychological and physical violence within military ranks.
In 2007, he was portrayed as a cool-headed prosecutor in the South Korean television series, ‘H.I.T’ in the lead role alongside Go Hyun-jung, Kim Jung-min and Yoon Ji-min. His romantic role in the series attracted his female fans and gained popularity in the country.
Also, he appeared in the American indie film, ‘Never Forever’, starring opposite Vera Farmiga, which garnered praise from the film festival circuit.
The breakout role of Jung-woo came in 2008 with the South Korean action thriller film, ‘The Chaser’, playing a psychopathic character, which is loosely based on serial killer Yoo Young-chul. He starred in the film alongside actor Kim Yoon-seok. The film was a huge hit at the box office and also garnered high praise from critics and numerous awards from local award-giving bodies.
In the same year, he was portrayed as a charming scoundrel in the road movie, ‘My Dear Enemy’, co-starring Jeon Do-yeon. His versatility in acting has elevated his status and become one of the most sought-after actors in the Korean film industry.
Between the years 2008 and 2009, Jung-woo took different, but compelling roles in ‘The Moonlight of Seoul’, ‘Boat’ and ‘Take Off’. Among all these, the South Korean film, ‘Take Off’, which was based on the Korean national ski jumping team, became one of the biggest box office hits of 2009. In this film, he co-acted alongside Kim Dong-wook, Kim Ji-seok, Choi Jae-hwan, Lee Jae-eung and Sung Dong-il.
In 2010, Ha Jung-woo reunited with his debut film director Na Hong-jin and costar Kim Yoon-seok in the South Korean action thriller film, ‘The Yellow Sea’, which made him earn Best Actor trophies from the Asian Film Awards, Baeksang Arts Awards and the Korean Association of Film Critics awards.
Next year, he starred in the legal thriller film, ‘The Client’, with actors Jang Hyuk and Park Hee-soon.
In 2012, he made his third collaboration with his longtime friend director Yoon Jong-bin with the South Korean gangster film, ‘Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time’, costarring with veteran actor Choi Min-sik. It was followed by another box office hit unconventional romantic comedy ‘Love Fiction’, starring opposite Gong Hyo-jin.
He played the role of a news anchor in the action thriller, ‘The Terror Live’ alongside Jeon Hye-jin and Kim So-jin in 2013.
He made his directorial debut with the South Korean comedy film, ‘Fasten Your Seatbelt’, about the comic interactions between the cabin crew and passengers. Luckily it was a box-office success.
In 2014, Ha Jung-woo appeared in the role of a Joseon-era butcher-turned-outlaw in the period action film, ‘Kundo: Age of the Rampant’ with actors Gang Dong-won and Ma Dong-seok.
In 2015, he wrote, starred and directed a South Korean film adaptation of the bestselling 1995 Chinese novel of the same title, ‘Chronicle of a Blood Merchant’, co-starring with Ha Ji-won and Nam Da-reum.
Jung-woo was lucky enough to repeatedly star in two office hits; ‘The Handmaiden‘, and survival thriller ‘The Tunnel’ in 2016. In the following year, he appeared in Kim Yong-hwa’s ‘Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds’ and ‘1987: When the Day Comes’.
In 2018, he repeated his role as Gang-rim in the sequel, ‘Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days’. In the same year, he starred in the South Korean action film, ‘Take Point’, alongside Lee Sun-kyun.
Ha Jung-woo was cast in the South Korean disaster film, ‘Ashfall’, also known as ‘Mount Paektu’, with a bunch of artists, including Lee Byung-hun, Ma Dong-seok, Jeon Hye-jin and Bae Suzy.
In 2020, He appeared in the South Korean horror film, ‘The Closet’, directed by Kim Kwang-binst and co-starring Kim Nam-gil.
As of 2023, the South Korean sports drama film, ‘Boston 1947’, which narrates the story of the 1947 Boston International Marathon is the latest film of Ha Jung-woo.
Achievements
Ha Jung-woo, a South Korean actor, film director, screenwriter and film producer, who debuted his career in the entertainment industry in 2002, has earned a lot of achievements and critical appreciation throughout his career. Here are some of his notable achievements.
- In 2023, Ha Jung-woo won Best Actor in A Leading Role (National Winners – Korea) at the Asian Academy Creative Awards for his role in ‘Narco- Saints’.
- Jung-woo won the Grand Prize (Daesang) in 2022 at the 13th Korea Drama Awards.
- Ha Jung-woo won the Asia Artist Award under the category of Best Artist in 2018.
Military Life
Ha Jung-woo began his military service in 1998 and worked in the Armed Forces Public Relations Department. However, there is not much information available about his tenure and his exit details.
Personal Life
Although the 45-year-old Ha Jung-woo dated fashion model Goo Eun-ae from August 2008 to January 2012, as of 2024 he is single and focusing on his work.
Net Worth and Lifestyle
According to information from various online sources, the estimated net worth of the popular South Korean movie actor Ha Jung-woo is around 6 million US dollars. His major source of income comes from his acting and direction career.
Awards
- Asian Academy Creative Awards 2023
Best Actor in A Leading Role (National Winners – Korea) – ‘Narco-Saints’ (2023) - 2nd Blue Dragon Series Awards 2023
Best Actor – ‘Narco-Saints’ (2023)
- 13th Korea Drama Awards 2022
Grand Prize (Daesang) – ‘Narco-Saints’ (2022) - Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival 2021
Silver Crow Award – ‘The Closet’ (2021)
- Asia Artist Awards 2018
Fabulous Award (2018)
- Asia Artist Awards 2018
Best Artist (2018) - Asia Artist Awards 2018
Artist of the Year (2018) - KCA Consumer Day Awards 2018
Best Film Actor – ‘Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds’ (2018)
- The Seoul Awards 2018
Best Actor (Film) – ‘Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds’ (2018)
- Marie Claire Film Awards 2018
Pioneer Award – ‘Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds’ (2018) - Florence Korea Film Fest 2018
Cultural Award – ‘Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds’ (2018)
- Taxpayers’ Day 2018
Presidential Commendation (2018)
- Chunsa Film Art Awards 2017
Best Actor – ‘The Tunnel’ (2017)
- Hawaii International Film Festival 2015
Renaissance Award (2015) - Chunsa Film Art Awards 2015
Best Actor – Kundo: Age of the Rampant (2015) - Osaka Asian Film Festival 2014
Most Promising Talent – ‘Fasten Your Seatbelt’ (2014)
- Golden Cinema Film Festival 2014
Grand Prize (Daesang) – ‘The Terror Live’ (2014)
- Busan Film Critics Awards 2013
Best Actor (2013)
- A-Awards (Arena Homme + and Audi Korea) (2013)
Charismatic Award (2013) - Baeksang Arts Awards (2013)
Best Actor (Film) – ‘The Berlin File’ (2013) - Blue Dragon Film Awards 2012
Popular Star Award – ‘Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time’ (2012)
- Style Icon Awards 2012
Top 10 Style Icon (2012) - Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival 2012
Producer’s Choice Award (2012)
- Korean Association of Film Critics Awards 2011
Best Actor – ‘The Yellow Sea’ (2011)
- Baeksang Arts Awards 2011
Best Actor (Film) – ‘The Yellow Sea’ (2011)
- Asian Film Awards 2011
Best Actor – ‘The Yellow Sea’ (2011)
- Baeksang Arts Awards 2010
Best Actor (Film) – ‘Take Off’ (2010)
- Max Movie Awards 2010
Best Actor – ‘Take Off’ (2010)
- Blue Dragon Film Awards 2009
Popular Star Award – ‘Take Off’ (2009)
- University Film Festival of Korea 2009
Best Actor – ‘Take Off’ (2009)
- Grand Bell Awards 2009
Best Actor (2009) - Chunsa Film Art Awards 2009
Ensemble Acting Award (Cast) (2009) - Mnet 20’s Choice Awards 2009
Hot Movie Star – Male – ‘Take Off’ (2009)
- Buil Film Awards 2009
Best Actor – ‘My Dear Enemy’ (2009) - Busan Film Critics Awards 2009
Best Actor – ‘My Dear Enemy’ (2009)
- Cine 21 Awards 2008
Best Actor – ‘The Chaser’ (2008)
- Premiere Rising Star Awards 2008
Best Actor – ‘The Chaser’ (2008) - Chunsa Film Art Awards 2008
Best Actor – ‘The Chaser’ (2008)
- Director’s Cut Awards 2008
Best Actor – ‘The Chaser’, ‘My Dear Enemy’ (2008)
- Oporto International Film Festival 2008
Best Actor – ‘Time’ (2008) - Pyeongtaek Film Festival 2006
Best Actor – ‘The Unforgiven’, ‘Time’ (2006) - Cine 21 Awards 2005
Best New Actor – ‘The Unforgiven’ (2005)
- Director’s Cut Awards 2005
Best New Actor – ‘The Unforgiven’ (2005)
- Director’s Cut Awards 2005
Best New Actor – ‘The Unforgiven’ (2005) - Korean Association of Film Critics Awards 2005
Best New Actor – ‘The Unforgiven’ (2005)
Interesting Facts about Ha Jung-woo
- Ha Jung-woo was trained under actor Lee Beom-soo.
- Jung-woo started his military service in 1998.
- Ha Jung-woo won Best New Actor at the 25th Korean Association of Film Critics Awards in 2005.
- Jung-woo is also an accomplished artist and displayed his works in art exhibitions.
- Ha Jung-woo published a compilation of essays about life and thoughts on artists, ‘Good Feeling’ in 2011.
FAQs
- What is the Instagram account name of Ha Jung-woo?
Ha Jung-woo does not have an Instagram account, but he has a Facebook account officialhjw - What is the name of Ha Jung-woo’s book?
Good Feeling - Ha Jung-woo trained under which popular actor?
Lee Beom-soo
