Han Hyo-joo
A South Korean actress who became a national star by anchoring massive hit dramas and later redefined her career with daring genre choices.
Born 1987 (age 39)·South Korean actress·Birthday: February 22·Millennials
Biography
Han Hyo-joo starred in 'Brilliant Legacy,' which reached a peak viewership of 47.1 percent in 2009. Born in 1987 in Cheongju, South Korea, she made her acting debut in a 2005 sitcom. Her second major role came in the historical drama 'Dong Yi,' which ran for 60 episodes and earned her the Top Excellence Award at the MBC Drama Awards. She then chose unconventional projects: the parallel-world thriller 'W' (2016), the zombie drama 'Happiness' (2021), and the superhero series 'Moving' (2023). 'Moving' became the most-watched original series on Disney+ in Asia Pacific within its first week. Han also appears in films, including the period action movie 'The Pirates' and the Japanese-language drama 'Miracle: Devil and Devil.' Her career demonstrates a deliberate shift from mainstream stardom to ambitious, genre-blending storytelling.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Han was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Han Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Han's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Starred in 'Brilliant Legacy' (2009), a drama that achieved peak ratings of over 47%, making her a national sensation.
- Headlined the historical drama 'Dong Yi' (2010), which consistently topped viewership charts during its run.
- Played the lead in the innovative romantic fantasy 'W' (2016), which blended webtoon and real-world narratives.
- Led the cast of the 2023 Disney+ series 'Moving,' which became the platform's most-watched Korean original series globally.
Did You Know?
She is a trained boxer and learned the sport for her role in the film 'The Beauty Inside.'
Han Hyo-joo is an accomplished pianist and has performed pieces for her roles in dramas.
She worked as a video jockey (VJ) for the music channel Mnet before becoming an actress.
She is a dedicated philanthropist and has been a longtime ambassador for the Korean Red Cross.
“I want to be an actress who can show a different side of myself with each project.”
