Ha Jung-woo

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Ha Jung-woo

Role / Field:

Highly acclaimed South Korean actor known for versatility and breakthrough roles in thrillers.

Born:

1978-03-11

Century / Era:

1978s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Kim Sung-hoon (Korean: 김성훈; born March 11, 1978), better known as Ha Jung-woo (하정우), is a South Korean actor and filmmaker. One of the highest grossing actors in South Korea, Ha's starring films have accumulated more than 100 million tickets. Only 3 other actors have reached this milestone, with Ha being nearly a decade younger than the rest when achieving this. His breakthrough to stardom came with the role in Na Hong-jin's serial killer film The Chaser (2008). One of the leading actors of his generation in Korean cinema, Ha showcased his versatility across films of various genres: sports film Take Off (2009), action thrillers The Yellow Sea (2010) and The Terror Live (2013), gangster saga Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time (2012), spy actioner The Berlin File (2013), period action film Kundo: Age of the Rampant (2014), and disaster thriller Tunnel (2016).

Career & Major Achievements

Ha is also known for his role as grim reaper Gang-rim in the fantasy action film Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds (2017) and its 2018 sequel. He made his directorial debut through the comedy film Fasten Your Seatbelt (2013), followed by Chronicle of a Blood Merchant (2015), Lobby and The People Upstairs (both 2025). 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.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

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. Kim Sung-hoon made his acting debut in the 2002 SBS sitcom Honest Living and his feature film debut in the 2003 film Madeleine.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1978 (1978-03-11): Birth of Ha Jung-woo — Highly acclaimed South Korean actor known for versatility and breakthrough roles in thrillers.
2. 1998: 1998 Milestone — In 1998, Ha began his military service, working in the Armed Forces Public Relations Department.
3. 2002: 2002 Milestone — Kim Sung-hoon made his acting debut in the 2002 SBS sitcom Honest Living and his feature film debut in the 2003 film Madeleine.
4. 2008: 2008 Milestone — His breakthrough to stardom came with the role in Na Hong-jin's serial killer film The Chaser (2008).
5. 2009: 2009 Milestone — One of the leading actors of his generation in Korean cinema, Ha showcased his versatility across films of various genres: sports film Take Off (2009), action thrillers The Yellow Sea (2010) and The Terror Live (2013), gangster saga Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time (2012), spy actioner The Berlin File (2013), period action film Kundo: Age of the Rampant (2014), and disaster thriller Tunnel (2016).
6. 2013: 2013 Milestone — He made his directorial debut through the comedy film Fasten Your Seatbelt (2013), followed by Chronicle of a Blood Merchant (2015), Lobby and The People Upstairs (both 2025).
7. 2017: 2017 Milestone — Ha is also known for his role as grim reaper Gang-rim in the fantasy action film Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds (2017) and its 2018 sequel.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Ha Jung-woo

True or False: “Ha Jung-woo's breakout role was in the 2013 film Kundo: Age of the Rampant.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): His breakthrough came with the role in Na Hong-jin's serial killer film The Chaser in 2008.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Adolf Dassler — Contemporary (Died in 1978) (1978): Pioneering German cobbler and inventor who founded the sportswear giant Adidas.
• Aldo Moro — Contemporary (Died in 1978) (1978): Italian statesman who served as Prime Minister multiple times, championing the modern Italian centre-left.
• Anastas Mikoyan — Contemporary (Died in 1978) (1978): Long-serving Soviet statesman, diplomat, and Bolshevik revolutionary from Armenia.
• 1982 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament — Shared historical date (03-11 · Born) (1982): The 44th annual NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.
• Ahn Si-ha — Shared historical date (03-11 · Born) (1982): South Korean actress known for roles in dramas like Moonshine and All of Us Are Dead.
• Ani Lorak — Historical peer (Born in 1978) (1978): Iconic Ukrainian-born Russian singer, celebrated for her powerful vocal style.
• Aram Khachaturian — Historical peer (Died in 1978) (1978): Leading Soviet Armenian composer, known for vibrant ballet scores and captivating melodies.
• Ahn Jae-hwan — Historical peer (Died in 2008) (2008): South Korean actor known for roles in films like Beautiful Temptation and Show Show Show.
• Aimé Césaire — Historical peer (Died in 2008) (2008): Afro-Martinican poet, politician, and founder of the Négritude movement.
• Aage Bohr — Historical peer (Died in 2009) (2009): Pioneering Danish nuclear physicist, Nobel laureate for atomic structure theory.
• 1978 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1978
• March 11 (03-11) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on March 11

Frequently Asked Questions about Ha Jung-woo