Ha Hee-ra

Ha Hee-ra
하희라
Ha in August 2022
Born (1969-10-29) October 29, 1969 (age 57)
Seoul, South Korea
Education
Occupations
  • Actress
  • special professor
Years active1981–present
AgentGH Entertainment
Spouse
​
(m. 1993)​
Children2
Korean name
Hangul
하희라
Hanja
夏希羅
RRHa Huira
MRHa Hŭira
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese夏希羅
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinXià Xīluó

Ha Hee-ra (Korean: 하희라; born October 29, 1969) is a South Korean actress. She began acting as a child in 1981, became known as a teen star in the 1980s and moved into adult roles with the 1990 drama What Women Want. Her television dramas include What Is Love (1991), Catching Up with Gangnam Moms (2007), The President (2010) and Make a Woman Cry (2015). She has also worked in musical theater and plays.

Early life and education

Ha was born in Seoul on October 29, 1969. Her father was an ethnic Chinese resident of Korea, and her mother was Korean. She held Taiwanese nationality until her marriage, after which she became a South Korean citizen. She spoke Chinese as a child but later forgot most of it. On a television talk show in 2008, she said that schoolmates had teased her about her mixed background.

From the sixth grade of elementary school, Ha sang in the KBS children's choir, and she considered studying vocal music at university. In 1988, as a first-year university student, she performed in a production of Romeo and Juliet, which she later said was when she first became attached to the stage. She graduated from the Department of Education at Dongguk University. In 2010, she began graduate studies in social welfare at the Graduate School of Public Administration of Yonsei University.

Career

1981–1992: Early career

Ha began acting in 1981, and she went on to appear in the KBS series Diary of a High School Student and Windfall. She became known as a "high-teen" actress while still a teenager. In the late 1980s, she and Choi Soo-jong were both popular young stars, and they appeared together on the music program Youth March and in the films Puppy Love and You Know What? It's a Secret. She won the Baeksang Arts Award for Best New Actress in film in 1988.

Her first major adult role was the lively Young-chae in the 1990 drama What Women Want. She was also part of the cast of the 1991 MBC family drama What Is Love, written by Kim Soo-hyun, which reached a peak viewership rating of 64.8 percent.

1993–2009: Stage and return to television

Ha starred in the musical Save the Last Dance for Me with Nam Kyung-joo and Choi Jung-won in 1994, and she received the Popular Star Award at the first Korea Musical Awards. In 1998, she played Sister Mary Amnesia in the musical Nunsense.

After four years away from television, Ha resumed her career in April 2002 with the film The Beauty in Dream. In July 2002, she returned to television in the KBS daily drama To Be with You, playing Moon-hee, the eldest of four sisters, who builds her own clothing brand. She won the Top Excellence Award for an actress at the MBC Drama Awards in 2006. In 2007, she played a mother preoccupied with her children's education in the SBS drama Catching Up with Gangnam Moms.

In 2008, she returned to musical theater after about ten years, playing Paula, a divorced former Broadway dancer, in the Korean premiere of The Goodbye Girl at the Baekam Art Hall in Seoul.

2010–present

In December 2010, Ha played the first lady opposite her husband, who played the president, in the KBS drama The President. It was the first time that the couple had acted together in the same production since their marriage. She said that she had hesitated because she would be acting opposite her husband, but that she loved the character.

After two years away from television, Ha played the villainous Na Eun-soo in the 2015 MBC weekend drama Make a Woman Cry, which drew a viewership rating of about 20 percent. In 2018, after another two-year break, she played Cha Jin-ok, a housewife with a hidden tough side, in the KBS2 morning drama Lady Cha Dal-rae's Lover. She won the Excellence Award for an actress in a daily drama at the 2018 KBS Drama Awards for the role. In 2020, she played Han Ae-sook, the supportive mother of Park Bo-gum's character, in the tvN drama Record of Youth.

In September 2022, Ha returned to the stage after 14 years, playing the free-spirited painter Melissa in a Korean production of A. R. Gurney's two-person play Love Letters at the JTN Art Hall in Daehak-ro, Seoul. She reprised the role in 2024. In November 2026, she was scheduled to perform the play with Choi Soo-jong, their first stage production together since their marriage.

Television presenting and reality programs

In January 2021, Ha and Choi replaced Paeng Hyun-sook and Choi Yang-rak as the hosts of the KBS2 reality program Mr. House Husband 2. The couple received the Achievement Award at the 2021 KBS Entertainment Awards. From October 2022, they appeared in the KBS2 program Second House, in which cast members renovate abandoned country houses. The program's second season ended in August 2023, and the couple were made honorary residents of Jinan County. Ha also hosted the program Dear My Mother from 2023. In 2025, she and Choi appeared in the tvN program We Are Not a Lovey-Dovey Couple, playing husband and wife in dramatized reconstructions of real couples' problems.

Personal life

Ha married Choi Soo-jong in 1993, and they have a son and a daughter. After her marriage, she converted from Buddhism to Presbyterianism.

Philanthropy

In November 2007, Ha and Choi donated 100 million won to the relief organization Good Neighbors International to mark their 14th wedding anniversary. The donation was used to provide food, warm clothing and winter supplies to children in child care centers and welfare facilities across South Korea. In 2009, the couple supported a campaign against tuberculosis. In 2010, the National Tax Service appointed them as goodwill ambassadors for two years, citing their honest payment of taxes and their donations to people in need. In 2012, the couple pledged to donate their tissues after death.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role
1986 Great March of Tomboys
1987 Exciting Lives of Three Girls
1988 Miri, Mari, Wuri, Duri Duri
Campus Romance Seminar Hye-ri
If You Want
Puppy Love
1989 Memories of Bal-bari Eun-kyung
1990 You Know What? It's a Secret Hye-na
Days of Standing Alone Hyun Eun-ji
1991 Back to You Once More Kim Sung-hee
The Night Full of Stars Bo-ra
1992 A Foolish Lover Hye-rin
2002 The Beauty in Dream So-ra

Television series

Year Title Role
1981 Land
1983 Diary of a High School Student
1986 Windfall
1987 Eldest Sister-in-law
1988 Heaven Heaven Lady Hyegyŏng
The Story of Shim Chung
1989 And So Flows History
People of Dangchu-dong
1990 What Women Want Young-chae
Geom Saeng-yi's Daughter
1991 Magpie Daughter-in-law Seo Bong-hwa
What Is Love Park Ji-eun
1992 Rose Garden Choi Young-joo
Wind in the Grass Mi-kyung
1993 The Break of Dawn Song Bo-kyung/Ssang-soon
1995 A Place in the Sun Im Cha-hee
Dazzling Dawn Empress Myeongseong
1997 Because I Really Hong Eun-pyo
Women Seo Ki-nam
2002 To Be with You Han Moon-hee
2005 My Love Toram Jeon Sook-yeon
I Love You, My Enemy Myung Hae-kang
2006 Love Me When You Can Oh Soon-ae
2007 Catching up with Gangnam Moms Hyun Min-joo
2009 What's for Dinner? Jo Young-ran
2010 I Live Without Incident Hwang Se-ri
The President Jo So-hee
2012 Dummy Mommy[unreliable source?] Kim Sun-young
2013 You Are the Boss! Min Ji-soo/Min Ji-won
2015 Make a Woman Cry Na Eun-soo
2016 The Dearest Lady Na Bo-bae
2018 Lady Cha Dal-rae's Lover Cha Jin-ok
2020 Record of Youth Han Ae-sook, Sa Hye-jun's Mother

Television shows

Year Title Notes/Ref.
2012 Beautiful People Documentary narration
Mom and Dad, I Miss You Documentary narration
2013 Children at Risk
2013–2014 Global Homestay: The Way Home
2018 Same Bed, Different Dreams 2: You Are My Destiny
2022 Children These Days - My Golden Child Special MC
Second House Cast Member
2023 Dear My Mother Host

Theater

Year Title Role
1991 I Ought to Be in Pictures
1994 Save the Last Dance for Me
1998 Nunsense
2004 Why We Dream of Lovers
2008 The Goodbye Girl Paula McFadden
2022 Love Letter Melissa

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominated work Result
1986 KBS Drama Awards Excellence Award, Actress Won
1988 24th Baeksang Arts Awards Best New Actress (Film) Campus Romance Seminar Won
KBS Drama Awards Special Award Won
1990 KBS Drama Awards Excellence Award, Actress Won
Popularity Award Won
1991 27th Baeksang Arts Awards Best Actress (TV) What Women Want Won
MBC Drama Awards Excellence Award, Actress Won
1992 28th Baeksang Arts Awards Most Popular Actress (TV) What Is Love Won
MBC Drama Awards Excellence Award, Actress Won
1993 KBS Drama Awards Grand Prize (Daesang) The Break of Dawn Won
1995 1st Korea Musical Awards Popular Star Award Save the Last Dance for Me Won
KBS Drama Awards Top Excellence Award, Actress A Place in the Sun Won
2005 SBS Drama Awards Best Actress in a Drama Short My Love Toram Won
2006 MBC Drama Awards Top Excellence Award, Actress Love Me When You Can Won
2007 SBS Drama Awards Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries Catching Up with Gangnam Moms Won
2009 MBC Drama Awards Excellence Award, Actress What's for Dinner? Nominated
2010 2nd Korea Sharing Awards Special Chairman's Award N/a Won
2011 3rd Korea Human Awards Sharing Award N/a Won
2012 1st Sharing Happiness Awards Award from the Minister of Health and Welfare N/a Won
SBS Drama Awards Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Serial Drama Dummy Mommy Nominated
2013 MBC Drama Awards Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Serial Drama You Are the Boss! Nominated
2014 Miss Supertalent Season 4 Star Awards Sharing Award N/a Won
2018 KBS Drama Awards Excellence Award, Actress in a Daily Drama Lady Cha Dal-rae's Lover Won
2021 19th KBS Entertainment Awards Achievement Award Mr. House Husband 2 Won
Excellence Award in Reality Category Nominated

References

  1. ↑ Kim, Sook-kyung (September 16, 2022). 하희라 "강태오, 예의 바르고 순수…잘될 줄 알았다" (인터뷰) [Ha Hee-ra, "Kang Tae-oh, polite and pure… I thought it would turn out well" (interview)] (in Korean). OBS TV. Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. Retrieved September 19, 2022 – via Naver.
  2. ↑ 하희라. The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2022-02-04. Retrieved 2022-03-16.
  3. 1 2 Na, Hye-ran (2019-12-24). 최수종 나이? 하희라 대만 국적→귀화한 이유 '화제' [Choi Soo-jong's age? Why Ha Hee-ra changed from Taiwanese to Korean nationality]. Siminilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 2026-11-02.
  4. 1 2 3 Bae, Ji-sook (2008-03-31). "Seoul to Downsize Chinatown Project". The Korea Times. Retrieved 2026-11-02.
  5. ↑ 화교 하희라 어린시절 짬뽕이라는 놀림에 눈물… [Ethnic Chinese Ha Hee-ra cried over being teased as 'jjamppong' as a child]. The Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). 2008-03-20. Retrieved 2026-11-02.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Yoo, Eun-young (2015-06-30). 하희라의 '하이틴 스타' 시절 [Ha Hee-ra's days as a 'high-teen star']. Woman Economy (in Korean). Retrieved 2026-11-02.
  7. 1 2 Kim, Hyun-jung (2022-09-22). 최수종, ♥하희라 매회 관람 외조 "다음엔 동반 출연도" (러브레터) [Choi Soo-jong watches every performance of Ha Hee-ra's 'Love Letters', hopes to appear together next time]. Xports News (in Korean). Retrieved 2026-11-02.
  8. 1 2 …
  9. ↑ 하희라, 연세대 사회복지학과 대학원생 됐다 [Ha Hee-ra becomes a graduate student in social welfare at Yonsei University]. Star News (in Korean). 2010-10-25. Retrieved 2022-10-21.
  10. 1 2 3 4 Kim, Ji-hye (2026-09-30). 최수종♥하희라, '유퀴즈' 첫 동반 출연... 결혼 34년차 러브스토리 푼다 [Choi Soo-jong and Ha Hee-ra make first joint appearance on 'You Quiz', share love story of 34 years of marriage]. Ilgan Sports (in Korean). Retrieved 2026-11-02.
  11. ↑ Yoo, Jung-min (2024-05-24). 김수현 작가 '사랑이 뭐길래'→'배반의 장미' 다시 만난다…MBC ON 최초 방송 [Writer Kim Soo-hyun's 'What Is Love' and 'Rose of Betrayal' return on MBC ON]. iMBC (in Korean). Retrieved 2026-11-02.
  12. 1 2 3 Kim, Min-jung (2008-04-01). 철부지 싱글맘으로 변신한 하희라의 뮤지컬 스토리 [Ha Hee-ra's musical story as a carefree single mother]. Lady Kyunghyang (in Korean). Retrieved 2026-11-02.
  13. 1 2 Lee, Song-ha (2002-06-26). 4년만에 브라운관 복귀 하희라 "여고생 차림이 쑥스럽네요" [Ha Hee-ra returns to television after four years: 'A schoolgirl costume is embarrassing']. Seoul Shinmun (in Korean). Retrieved 2026-11-02.
  14. ↑ "Messages and meanings in The Beauty in Dream". The Korea Times. 2004-04-22. Archived from the original on 2008-11-23. Retrieved 2015-03-10 – via HanCinema.
  15. ↑ "Children Come First for Gangnam Mother". The Chosun Ilbo. 2007-07-27. Archived from the original on 2015-03-04. Retrieved 2015-03-10.
  16. ↑ "Ha Hee-ra Appears in Musical for the First Time in 10 Years". KBS Global. 2008-02-13. Archived from the original on 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2015-03-10.
  17. ↑ Chung, Ah-young (2008-02-27). "Celebrities Return to Theater". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on 2018-09-11. Retrieved 2015-03-10.
  18. 1 2 3 Han, Sang-hee (2010-12-10). "Star couple shows presidential life". The Korea Times. Retrieved 2026-11-02.
  19. ↑ Jin, Young-ju (2010-11-15). "Ha Hee Ra Transforms into 'Iron Lady' in President". KBS Global. Archived from the original on 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2015-03-10.
  20. ↑ Song, Woong-ki (2010-12-12). "Star couple back on screen together". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2015-03-10.
  21. ↑ Lee, Rin (2015-08-30). 굿바이 '여자를 울려', 하희라가 있어 아름다웠다..'악녀에서 개과천선까지' [Goodbye 'Make a Woman Cry': Ha Hee-ra made it beautiful, from villain to reformed character]. Segye Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 2026-11-02.
  22. ↑ Yoo, Chung-hee (2018-08-21). '차달래 부인' 2년 공백 무색한 하희라, '올 블랙' 패션으로 파격 변신 [Ha Hee-ra makes two-year break seem irrelevant in 'Lady Cha Dal-rae's Lover']. TenAsia (in Korean). Retrieved 2026-11-02.
  23. ↑ Woo, Bin (2019-01-01). 2018 KBS 연기대상 유동근 대상 "장미희 덕분인데 내가 왜..대하드라마 부활 기원" [2018 KBS Drama Awards: Yoo Dong-geun wins the grand prize]. TenAsia (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2019-01-01. Retrieved 2019-01-01 – via Naver.
  24. ↑ Kim, Ji-won (2020-08-21). '청춘기록' 박보검X변우석, 같은 꿈 가진 두 청춘의 사뭇 다른 가족 ['Record of Youth': Park Bo-gum and Byeon Woo-seok, two young people with the same dream and very different families]. TenAsia (in Korean). Retrieved 2026-11-02.
  25. ↑ 하희라·임호·조선명·유성재·신의정·이승헌…연극 <러브레터> 6인 6색 캐릭터 포스터 공개 [Character posters released for the play 'Love Letters' starring Ha Hee-ra, Lim Ho and others]. The Musical (in Korean). 2022-08-29. Retrieved 2026-11-02.
  26. ↑ Woo, Da-bin (2022-07-21). 하희라, 14년 만 연극 복귀…'러브레터'로 관객 만난다 [Ha Hee-ra returns to theater after 14 years in 'Love Letters']. Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2022-07-21. Retrieved 2022-07-21 – via Naver.
  27. ↑ Lee, Su-ji (2021-01-03). '살림남2' 팽현숙·최양락, MC 하차…후임은 최수종♥하희라 [Paeng Hyun-sook and Choi Yang-rak leave 'Mr. House Husband 2' as hosts, succeeded by Choi Soo-jong and Ha Hee-ra]. Newsis (in Korean). Retrieved 2026-11-02.
  28. ↑ Jeong, Tae-geun (2021-12-25). 최수종♥하희라, '2021 KBS 연예대상' 공로상…"모든 건 배우자 덕분" [Choi Soo-jong and Ha Hee-ra win Achievement Award at the 2021 KBS Entertainment Awards]. TenAsia (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2021-12-25. Retrieved 2021-12-26.
  29. ↑ Son, Jin-ah (2022-10-12). 최수종·하희라·주상욱·조재윤, '세컨 하우스' 출연…10월 말 첫방(공식) [Choi Soo-jong, Ha Hee-ra, Joo Sang-wook and Jo Jae-yoon to appear in 'Second House', first episode at the end of October (official)]. MK Sports (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2022-10-13. Retrieved 2022-10-12 – via Naver.
  30. ↑ Yeon, Hwi-seon (2023-01-19). '세컨하우스' 측 "시즌2 확정, 최수종♥하희라·주상욱·조재윤도 함께" [공식입장] ['Second House' confirms second season with Choi Soo-jong, Ha Hee-ra, Joo Sang-wook and Jo Jae-yoon]. OSEN (in Korean). Retrieved 2026-11-02.
  31. ↑ Kim, Soo-hyung (2023-08-18). 최수종♥하희라, '세컨하우스2'로 진안 '명예 군민' 위촉.."어울림 공간" [Choi Soo-jong and Ha Hee-ra appointed honorary residents of Jinan through 'Second House 2']. OSEN (in Korean). Retrieved 2026-11-02.
  32. ↑ Choi, Hye-jin (2022-12-27). 하희라, '디어마이마더' 진행자 발탁 "엄마들과 공감 나눠 기뻐" [Ha Hee-ra chosen as host of 'Dear My Mother': 'I am happy to share empathy with mothers']. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2022-12-27. Retrieved 2022-12-27 – via Naver.
  33. ↑ Kim, Ji-won (2025-07-07). "Ha Hee-ra Addresses Rumors of Frequent Fights with Choi Soo-jong on 'We Are Not a Lovey-Dovey Couple'". TenAsia. Retrieved 2026-11-02.
  34. ↑ "Choi Soo-jong and Ha Hee-ra celebrate 20 years of marriage with photo shoot". Korea JoongAng Daily. 2013-12-18. Archived from the original on 2013-12-18. Retrieved 2015-03-10.
  35. ↑ 크리스천투데이 기독 콘텐츠: 배우 하희라의 간증 [Christian Today Christian content: the testimony of actress Ha Hee-ra]. Christian Today (in Korean). 2020-09-09. Archived from the original on 2022-06-14. Retrieved 2022-05-09.
  36. 1 2 Park, Si-soo (2007-11-20). "Celebrity Couple Donates W100 Mil. for Poor Children". The Korea Times. Retrieved 2026-11-02.
  37. ↑ "Celebrity Couple Support Stop TB Campaign". The Chosun Ilbo. 2009-05-14. Archived from the original on 2009-05-17. Retrieved 2015-03-10.
  38. ↑ "Star Couples Picked to Promote National Tax Service". The Chosun Ilbo. 2010-06-01. Archived from the original on 2010-06-09. Retrieved 2015-03-10.
  39. ↑ "Celebrity Couple Ready to Donate Tissues". The Chosun Ilbo. 2012-07-13. Archived from the original on 2012-07-15. Retrieved 2015-03-10.
  40. ↑ "Messages and meanings in The Beauty in Dream". The Korea Times. 22 April 2004. Archived from the original on 23 November 2008. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  41. ↑ "Stupid Mom Ha Hee Ra Shows Pure Stupid Acting". KDramaStars. 17 March 2012. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  42. ↑ Lee Jun-hyun (March 31, 2022). 하희라, 30년 지기 신애라 위해 깜짝 출연 "♥최수종과 즐겨 봐" ('금쪽같은') [Ha Hee-ra, make a surprise appearance for Shin Ae-ra, her girlfriend of 30 years, "Have fun with ♥ Choi Soo-jong" ('Golden-like')] (in Korean). Ten Asia. Archived from the original on March 31, 2022. Retrieved March 31, 2022 – via Naver.
  43. ↑ Son Jin-ah (October 12, 2022). 최수종·하희라·주상욱·조재윤, '세컨 하우스' 출연…10월 말 첫방(공식) [Choi Soo-jong, Ha Hee-ra, Joo Sang-wook, and Jo Jae-yoon to appear in 'Second House'... First episode at the end of October (official)] (in Korean). MK Sports. Archived from the original on October 13, 2022. Retrieved October 12, 2022 – via Naver.
  44. ↑ Choi Hye-jin (December 27, 2022). 하희라, '디어마이마더' 진행자 발탁 "엄마들과 공감 나눠 기뻐 [Hee-ra Ha, selected as host of 'Dear My Mother' "I'm happy to share empathy with mothers] (in Korean). MT Star News. Archived from the original on December 27, 2022. Retrieved December 27, 2022 – via Naver.
  45. ↑ Kim, Gab-sik (19 June 2001). "10th Birthday Commemoration Dream-team Composed for Musical Nonsense". The Dong-A Ilbo. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  46. ↑ "Ha Hee-ra Appears in Musical for the First Time in 10 Years". KBS Global. 13 February 2008. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  47. ↑ Chung, Ah-young (27 February 2008). "Celebrities Return to Theater". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on 11 September 2018. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  48. ↑ "2008.3.13 Event Calendar". Korea JoongAng Daily. 13 March 2008. Archived from the original on 17 November 2014. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  49. ↑ "Events Calendar". The Korea Herald. 3 May 2008. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  50. ↑ Woo Da-bin (July 21, 2022). 하희라, 14년 만 연극 복귀…'러브레터'로 관객 만난다 [Ha Hee-ra returns to theater after 14 years... Meet the audience with 'Love Letter] (in Korean). Hankook Ilbo. Archived from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022 – via Naver.
  51. ↑ Yun, Chloe (30 December 2013). "2013 MBC Drama Awards Finalists Revealed". BNTNews. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  52. ↑ Woo, Bin (January 1, 2019). [2018 KBS 연기대상] 유동근 대상 "장미희 덕분인데 내가 왜..대하드라마 부활 기원" [[2018 KBS Drama Awards] Donggeun Lee Grand Prize "Why am I ... thanks to Jang Mi-hee.]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 1, 2019. Retrieved January 1, 2019 – via Naver.
  53. ↑ Jeong Tae-geun (December 25, 2021). 최수종♥하희라, '2021 KBS 연예대상' 공로상…"모든 건 배우자 덕분 [Choi Soo-jong ♥ Ha Hee-ra, '2021 KBS Entertainment Awards' Achievement Award... "It's all thanks to my spouse"] (in Korean). Ten Asia. Archived from the original on December 25, 2021. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
  54. ↑ Lee Seung-rok (December 26, 2021). 오윤아·장민호, 우수상 리얼리티 부문 수상 영광 [KBS연예대상] [Yoona Oh and Minho Jang, Received Excellence Award in Reality Category [KBS Entertainment Awards]] (in Korean). MyDaily. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved December 26, 2021 – via Naver.