Han Hyo-joo

Profile Overview

Han Hyo-joo (Korean: 한효주; born Han Ji-yeong, February 22, 1987) is a South Korean actress. She gained wide recognition with the back-to-back successes of Brilliant Legacy (2009) and Dong Yi (2010), both of which were massive hits with high viewership ratings, solidifying her status as a household name. She is also known for the romantic fantasy drama W (2016) set in a parallel universe, and the apocalyptic zombie thriller Happiness (2021). In 2023, she starred in the high-profile Moving (2023), a supernatural action sci-fi series exploring super powered characters who lead ordinary lives. It became the most watched Korean original series on Disney+ globally and Hulu in the United States, and a second season is currently in production.
The pan-Asian and global popularity of her works have established Han as a top Hallyu star. She has been featured multiple times in Forbes magazine's Korea Power Celebrity 40 list since 2011, and has been the commercial face of many major Korean brands such as Samsung, LG and Lotte. In recent years, she has served as brand ambassador to luxury fashion houses such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Ferragamo, Brunello Cucinelli and Tiffany & Co.
In addition to her prolificacy on the small screen, Han is considered a respected leading actress in the Korean film industry. She has gained acclaim for her work in a wide range of genres; from melodramas, romantic comedies, large-scale action movies to crime thrillers. Her notable starring roles in box-office hits and critical successes include My Boss, My Teacher (2006), Always (2011), Masquerade (2012), Love 911 (2012), Cold Eyes (2013), and The Beauty Inside (2015). In 2021, Han was selected by the Korean Film Council (KOFIC) as one of the 200 Korean actors that best represent the present and future of Korea's movie scene, with the aim of introducing them to professionals that work in the global film industry.
The recipient of numerous accolades, Han has won Best Actress honors at all three of Korea's most prestigious award ceremonies – the Baeksang Arts Award for her performance as the titular character in Dong Yi, the Blue Dragon Film Award for her performance in Cold Eyes, and the Grand Bell Award (Korean equivalent of the Academy Awards) for her most recent role in Moving.