Ha Jeong-woo

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Ha Jeong-woo
Born Kim Seong-hun
March 11, 1979 (1979-03-11) (age 32)
Nationality South Korean
Occupation Actor
Known for The Chaser

Ha Jeong-woo (Hangul: 하정우, born March 11, 1979) is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his role in the 2008 film The Chaser.

Contents

[edit] Career

Born as Kim Seong-hun, Ha Jeong-woo comes from an acting family. His father Kim Yong-geon is a well-known veteran actor who has appeared in many movies and television series, while his younger brother Kim Yeong-hoon 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. 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. In 2002, he made his acting debut in the SBS sitcom Honest Living and his feature film debut in the 2002 film Madeleine. For the next few years, Ha's acting career was relatively low-key, appearing in several supporting roles, but not receiving a lot of attention. Things started to change in 2005. He signed with talent agency Sidus HQ and on their recommendation changed his name to "Ha Jeong-woo" from Kim Seong-hun. Ha would also appear in his first starring role in the indie film The Unforgiven - a film centered around the relationships between military personnel.[1] He then appeared in Kim Ki-duk's Time and Breath, which brought more notice to his acting talents in Korea and overseas. During this time, his popular MBC drama series H.I.T garnered him more female fans, with his portrayal of a cool-headed prosecutor who is romantically involved with a feisty police officer played by Go Hyun-jung. He also starred in the American indie film Never Forever opposite Vera Farmiga, which garnered praise from the film festival circuit.

Ha's breakout came in the 2008 film The Chaser, in which he played a character loosely based on serial killer Yoo Young-chul. The movie became a huge hit at the Korean box office, raking in over 5 million ticket sales, while also garnering high praise from critics and numerous awards from local award-giving bodies. Ha's portrayal of a psychopath, coupled with his performance as a charming scoundrel in My Dear Enemy that same year, showcased his versatility and elevated his status as one of the most sought-after actors in the Korean film industry. Since The Chaser, Ha has worked virtually non-stop for the next several years, taking on diverse but compelling roles in The Moonlight in Seoul, Boat, and Take Off. Take Off, based on the Korean national ski jumping team, became one of the biggest box office hits of 2009.[2][3]

American director Martin Scorsese, rumored to be attached to a Hollywood remake of The Chaser[4], has complimented Ha as having as much potential as his The Departed stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon.[5]

Ha reunited with his The Chaser director Na Hong-jin and costar Kim Yoon-seok in Na's sophomore feature The Yellow Sea[6], which netted Ha Best Actor trophies from the Asian Film Awards, Baeksang Arts Awards and the Korean Association of Film Critics.[7][8][9]

Ha said the legal thriller The Client evoked his early days of theater, and the director praised Ha for his "moments of true brilliance and genius" during the production.[10][11][12]

Nameless Gangster was Ha's third collaboration with longtime friend director Yun Jong-bin, also starring acclaimed veteran actor Choi Min-shik.[13] This was followed shortly by the unconventional romantic comedy Love Fiction opposite Gong Hyo-jin, his second film with The Fox Family director Jeon Kye-soo.[14] Both were box office hits.

In Ryu Seung-wan's upcoming film The Berlin File, Ha is set to star as a North Korean agent in Berlin who is betrayed and cut loose in the midst of a financial espionage intrigue. Jun Ji-hyun will play his wife, a translator at the North Korean embassy in Berlin. Together they try to escape being purged, with Ryu Seung-beom and Han Suk-kyu playing North and South Korean operatives on their trail.[15]

[edit] Other activities

Ha Jeong-woo is also an artist. Though it began as a hobby in his university days, Ha began painting in earnest in 2007.[16] His paintings, all done in a modernist style, have been displayed in several solo art exhibitions.[17][18][19] Critics have said his paintings, with their strong colors and interesting composition[20] are reminiscent of those by American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat.[21]

In 2011 he published a compilation of essays titled Ha Jeong-woo, Good Feeling. Besides his musings on life, Ha also wrote his thoughts on famous artists such as Pablo Picasso. The book also included about 60 of his own drawings.[22]

[edit] Personal life

Ha has been dating fashion model Gu Eun-ae since 2008.[23][24]

[edit] Filmography

[edit] Television

  • H.I.T. (MBC, 2007)
  • Lovers in Prague (SBS, 2005)
  • Loveholic Project (MBC Best Theater, 2005)
  • Age of Warriors (KBS1, 2003)
  • Unstoppable Man (KBS Wedding Story, 2003)
  • My Husband is 19 (KBS Wedding Story, 2003)
  • Honest Living (SBS, 2002)

[edit] Theater

[edit] Music Video

[edit] Awards

[edit] References

  1. ^ A Wild Fugitive. Korean Cinema Today. May 13, 2011.
  2. ^ National ski team schusses to glory, box office gold. JoongAng Daily. September 1, 2009.
  3. ^ Korean cinema regains its confidence in 2009/Analysis of the Korean Film Industry 2009. Korean Film Biz Zone. November 1, 2009.
  4. ^ Warner Bros. to remake 'The Chaser'. Variety. March 6, 2008.
  5. ^ Jeon Do-yeon, Ha Jung-woo as Ex-Lovers. Korea Times. August 27, 2008.
  6. ^ The Yellow Sea of Na Hong-jin. Korean Cinema Today. December 20, 2010.
  7. ^ Korean cineastes sweep Asian Film Awards. Korea Times. March 23, 2011.
  8. ^ Hyun Bin, Lee Byung-hun win Paeksang awards. Korea Herald. May 29, 2011.
  9. ^ "The Frontline" receives 4 honors by Korean Association of Film Critics. 10Asia. October 31, 2011.
  10. ^ Ha Jung-woo confident about Korean-style legal thriller. Korea Times. August 31, 2011.
  11. ^ Ha Jung-woo suits up for cinematic ‘Client’. JoongAng Daily. October 7, 2011.
  12. ^ Actor Ha Jung-woo's Song Picks. 10Asia. October 24, 2011.
  13. ^ Controversial director tackles corruption in ‘Nameless Gangster’. JoongAng Daily. February 17, 2012.
  14. ^ 'Love Fiction' rises above all hype. Korea Times. March 2, 2012.
  15. ^ Gianna Jun to be in Ryoo's Berlin File Korean Film Biz Zone. December 19, 2011.
  16. ^ Ha Jung-woo reveals his artwork. Dramabeans. March 7, 2010.
  17. ^ Ha Jung-woo to Open 2nd Solo Art Exhibition. Chosun Ilbo. June 23, 2010.
  18. ^ Actor Ha Jung-woo to hold 3rd art exhibition. Asia Economic Daily. February 17, 2011.
  19. ^ Ha Jung-woo Brings on the Clowns in New Art Exhibition. Chosun Ilbo. April 26, 2011.
  20. ^ Ha Jung-woo's paintings shown at Seoul art fair. 10Asia. April 27, 2011.
  21. ^ Stars play new roles in other media. JoongAng Daily. April 22, 2010.
  22. ^ Ha Jung Woo's First Attempt as an Author, "Go Hyun Jung Was a Big Help in the Pictures" AskActor. May 15, 2011.
  23. ^ Dating rumors are true, confirms Ha Jung-woo. Dramabeans. April 6, 2009.
  24. ^ Ha and Ku still together, says agent. JoongAng Daily. November 9, 2011.

[edit] External links


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