HA Jung-woo, born KIM Sung-hoon in 1978, has always dreamed of becoming an actor to follow in the footsteps of his father KIM Yong-gun, an actor best known for his TV works. While majoring in dramatic arts at Chung-Ang University, he gained experience playing in dozens of performances such as “Carmen”, “Othello”, and “The Glass Menagerie”. Having made a first screen appearance in 2002 in the sitcom <Honest Living>, he was cast in his first film role later that year for <Madeleine> (2002). After playing supporting roles in <Mr. Gam’s Victory> (2004) and <She’s on Duty> (2005), he first caught the attention of the public with his portrayal of a witty bodyguard in TV series <Lovers in Prague> (2005) and gained further recognition for the maturity of acting skills he displayed in YOON Jong-bin’s debut film <The Unforgiven> (2005), which led him to be named Best New Actor by the Korean Association of Film Critics. This allowed him to diversify his roles in the following years, playing a nine-tailed fox from the Korean myths trying to lure human victims in the musical comedy <The Fox Family> (2006) as well as a young man who, unbeknownst to him, is being seduced again by his ex-girlfriend after she had plastic surgery in arthouse film <Time> (2006), directed by KIM Ki-duk. In 2008, he joined the ranks of Korea’s most promising actors after starring in NA Hong-jin’s hit debut <The Chaser> as a psychopath serial killer, receiving wide acclaim from critics and audiences alike. He confirmed his pedigree later that year with another highly praised performance as a cocky yet somewhat charming womanizer in LEE Yoon-ki’s <My Dear Enemy>. Since then, almost all of the films in which he appeared have become hits. Among them, sports comedy <Take Off> (2009) holds a special significance as it gave him the opportunity to share the screen with his father. Having established a good relationship with all the directors he worked with, he has often been cast again for their next projects. Most notably, he starred in the three movies that YOON Jong-bin directed after <The Unforgiven>, which include <Nameless Gangster : Rules of the Time> (2011) and <KUNDO : Age of the Rampant> (2013). He was also reunited with NA Hong-jin for <The Yellow Sea> (2010), this time playing the protagonist, an ethnic Korean from China compelled to kill a businessman in Korea. Currently one of the busiest working actors in the Korean film industry, in 2011 he starred in courtroom drama <The Client> as well as <Love Fiction> and <Nameless Gangster>. He was next seen in the large-scale spy thriller <The Berlin File> (2012) by RYU Seung-wan and as an anchorman in <The Terror Live> (2013). In addition, 2013 was also the year he released his directorial debut <Fasten Your Seatbelt> (2013). He racked up just one credit in 2014, as one of the leads in the period action romp <Kundo: Age of the Rampant> (2013) alongside GANG Dong-won. He began 2015 with his second directing gig, the period drama <Chronicle of a Blood Merchant> (2014), which he also starred in, adapted from a famous Chinese novel by YU Hua. Later that year, he was seen in the ensemble cast of CHOI Dong-hoon’s thriller <Assassination> (2015). He was also cast in PARK Chan-wook’s award-winning thriller <The Handmaiden> (2016), and proved once again his box office power by pulling in 7.2 million viewers with his star vehicle <Tunnel> (2016). In 2017, he starred in two of the biggest films released that year, accumulating 20 million viewers between <Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds> and <1987: When the Day Comes>.
Any copying, republication or redistribution of KOFIC's content is prohibited without prior consent of KOFIC.
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London East Asia Film Festival ()
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<Chronicle of a Blood Merchant>
Florence Korea Film Fest (2018)
- Retrospecttiva
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<Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds>
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<Chronicle of a Blood Merchant>
Filmasia Film Festival (2018)
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<Tunnel>
Chunsa Film Festival (2017)
- Best Actor
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<KUNDO : Age of the Rampant>
Chunsa Film Festival (2015)
- Best Actor
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<Fasten Your Seatbelt>
Osaka Asian Film Festival (2014)
- Competition
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<Fasten Your Seatbelt>
HIFF Spring Showcase (2014)
- Spotlight on Korea
- ·
<The Terror, LIVE>
Korea Gold Awards Festival (2014)
- Grand Prize
- ·
<The Terror, LIVE>
Busan Film Critics Association Awards (2013)
- Best Actor
- ·
<The Berlin File>
Paeksang Arts Awards (2013)
- Film Awards
- Best Actor
- ·
<Fasten Your Seatbelt>
Busan International Film Festival : BIFF (2013)
- Korean Cinema Today: Panorama
- ·
<Nameless Gangster : Rules of the Time>
The Blue Dragon Awards (2012)
- ·
<The Yellow Sea>
The Korean Association of Film Critics Awards (2011)
- Best Actor
- ·
<The Yellow Sea>
Asian Film Awards (2011)
- Best Actor
- Best Actor
- ·
<The Yellow Sea>
Paeksang Arts Awards (2011)
- Film Awards
- Best Actor
- ·
<Take Off>
Paeksang Arts Awards (2010)
- Film Awards
- Best Actor
- ·
<Take Off>
Maxmovie Best Film Award (2010)
- Best Actor
- ·
<My Dear Enemy>
Buil Film Awards (2009)
- ·
<My Dear Enemy>
Busan Film Critics Association Awards (2009)
- Best Actor
- ·
<Take Off>
University Film Festival of Korea : UNIFF (2009)
- ·
<Take Off>
The Blue Dragon Awards (2009)
- ·
<The Chaser>
Korea Gold Awards Festival (2008)
- Best Actor
- ·
<The Chaser>
Chunsa Film Festival (2008)
- Best Actor
- ·
<The Chaser>
Director's Cut Awards (2008)
- ·
<The Unforgiven>
Director's Cut Awards (2005)
- ·
<The Unforgiven>
The Korean Association of Film Critics Awards (2005)
- Best New Actor
HA Jung-woo, born KIM Sung-hoon in 1978, has always dreamed of becoming an actor to follow in the footsteps of his father KIM Yong-gun, an actor best known for his TV works. While majoring in dramatic arts at Chung-Ang University, he gained experience playing in dozens of performances such as “Carmen”, “Othello”, and “The Glass Menagerie”. Having made a first screen appearance in 2002 in the sitcom <Honest Living>, he was cast in his first film role later that year for <Madeleine> (2002). After playing supporting roles in <Mr. Gam’s Victory> (2004) and <She’s on Duty> (2005), he first caught the attention of the public with his portrayal of a witty bodyguard in TV series <Lovers in Prague> (2005) and gained further recognition for the maturity of acting skills he displayed in YOON Jong-bin’s debut film <The Unforgiven> (2005), which led him to be named Best New Actor by the Korean Association of Film Critics. This allowed him to diversify his roles in the following years, playing a nine-tailed fox from the Korean myths trying to lure human victims in the musical comedy <The Fox Family> (2006) as well as a young man who, unbeknownst to him, is being seduced again by his ex-girlfriend after she had plastic surgery in arthouse film <Time> (2006), directed by KIM Ki-duk. In 2008, he joined the ranks of Korea’s most promising actors after starring in NA Hong-jin’s hit debut <The Chaser> as a psychopath serial killer, receiving wide acclaim from critics and audiences alike. He confirmed his pedigree later that year with another highly praised performance as a cocky yet somewhat charming womanizer in LEE Yoon-ki’s <My Dear Enemy>. Since then, almost all of the films in which he appeared have become hits. Among them, sports comedy <Take Off> (2009) holds a special significance as it gave him the opportunity to share the screen with his father. Having established a good relationship with all the directors he worked with, he has often been cast again for their next projects. Most notably, he starred in the three movies that YOON Jong-bin directed after <The Unforgiven>, which include <Nameless Gangster : Rules of the Time> (2011) and <KUNDO : Age of the Rampant> (2013). He was also reunited with NA Hong-jin for <The Yellow Sea> (2010), this time playing the protagonist, an ethnic Korean from China compelled to kill a businessman in Korea. Currently one of the busiest working actors in the Korean film industry, in 2011 he starred in courtroom drama <The Client> as well as <Love Fiction> and <Nameless Gangster>. He was next seen in the large-scale spy thriller <The Berlin File> (2012) by RYU Seung-wan and as an anchorman in <The Terror Live> (2013). In addition, 2013 was also the year he released his directorial debut <Fasten Your Seatbelt> (2013). He racked up just one credit in 2014, as one of the leads in the period action romp <Kundo: Age of the Rampant> (2013) alongside GANG Dong-won. He began 2015 with his second directing gig, the period drama <Chronicle of a Blood Merchant> (2014), which he also starred in, adapted from a famous Chinese novel by YU Hua. Later that year, he was seen in the ensemble cast of CHOI Dong-hoon’s thriller <Assassination> (2015). He was also cast in PARK Chan-wook’s award-winning thriller <The Handmaiden> (2016), and proved once again his box office power by pulling in 7.2 million viewers with his star vehicle <Tunnel> (2016). In 2017, he starred in two of the biggest films released that year, accumulating 20 million viewers between <Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds> and <1987: When the Day Comes>.
Any copying, republication or redistribution of KOFIC's content is prohibited without prior consent of KOFIC.
Related Photo
Filmography
Related News
- ·
ROAD TO BOSTON sheds light on Korean marathon hero
Sep 06, 2023
- ·
Kang Dongwon, Lee Youngae, Ha Jungwoo, Han Jimin, Attending ‘Actor’s House’ at the 27th Busan International Film Festival
Sep 20, 2022
- ·
Far East Film Festival Stages Yoon Jongbin Retrospective
Jun 21, 2021
Related Kofic News
- ·
KOFIC Hosts Popular Korean Film Night at Cannes Film Festival
May 19, 2016
Related Reports
- ·
THE CLOSET Shuts in BIRDS OF PREY During Quiet Weekend
Feb 10, 2020
- ·
THE MAN STANDING NEXT Repeats During Slow Weekend
Feb 03, 2020
- ·
ASHFALL Scores 3rd Weekend Win
Jan 06, 2020
Awards and Invitation
- ·
<The People Upstairs>
London East Asia Film Festival ()
- LEAFF Honorary Award
- ·
<Chronicle of a Blood Merchant>
Florence Korea Film Fest (2018)
- Retrospecttiva
- ·
<Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds>
The Seoul Awards (2018)
- Best Actor
- ·
<Chronicle of a Blood Merchant>
Filmasia Film Festival (2018)
- ·
<Tunnel>
Chunsa Film Festival (2017)
- Best Actor
- ·
<KUNDO : Age of the Rampant>
Chunsa Film Festival (2015)
- Best Actor
- ·
<Fasten Your Seatbelt>
Osaka Asian Film Festival (2014)
- Competition
- ·
<Fasten Your Seatbelt>
HIFF Spring Showcase (2014)
- Spotlight on Korea
- ·
<The Terror, LIVE>
Korea Gold Awards Festival (2014)
- Grand Prize
- ·
<The Terror, LIVE>
Busan Film Critics Association Awards (2013)
- Best Actor
- ·
<The Berlin File>
Paeksang Arts Awards (2013)
- Film Awards
- Best Actor
- ·
<Fasten Your Seatbelt>
Busan International Film Festival : BIFF (2013)
- Korean Cinema Today: Panorama
- ·
<Nameless Gangster : Rules of the Time>
The Blue Dragon Awards (2012)
- ·
<The Yellow Sea>
The Korean Association of Film Critics Awards (2011)
- Best Actor
- ·
<The Yellow Sea>
Asian Film Awards (2011)
- Best Actor
- Best Actor
- ·
<The Yellow Sea>
Paeksang Arts Awards (2011)
- Film Awards
- Best Actor
- ·
<Take Off>
Paeksang Arts Awards (2010)
- Film Awards
- Best Actor
- ·
<Take Off>
Maxmovie Best Film Award (2010)
- Best Actor
- ·
<My Dear Enemy>
Buil Film Awards (2009)
- ·
<My Dear Enemy>
Busan Film Critics Association Awards (2009)
- Best Actor
- ·
<Take Off>
University Film Festival of Korea : UNIFF (2009)
- ·
<Take Off>
The Blue Dragon Awards (2009)
- ·
<The Chaser>
Korea Gold Awards Festival (2008)
- Best Actor
- ·
<The Chaser>
Chunsa Film Festival (2008)
- Best Actor
- ·
<The Chaser>
Director's Cut Awards (2008)
- ·
<The Unforgiven>
Director's Cut Awards (2005)
- ·
<The Unforgiven>
The Korean Association of Film Critics Awards (2005)
- Best New Actor