Han Hyo-joo: Biography, Age, Height, Net Worth

There aren’t many South Korean actresses who have crossed over from historical dramas to zombie thrillers to romantic comedies while also picking up a Blue Dragon Award along the way. Han Hyo‑joo is one of them.

Born: February 22, 1987 · Birthplace: Cheongju, South Korea · Height: 172 cm (5 ft 8 in) · Debut: 2005 (Nonstop 5) · Agency: BH Entertainment

The table below shows the key biographical facts that are consistently reported across multiple databases.

Who is Han Hyo‑joo?

What is her background?

Han Hyo‑joo was born Han Ji‑yeong on February 22, 1987, in Cheongju, South Korea (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)). She studied Theater and Film at Dongguk University and made her television debut in 2005 with the sitcom Nonstop 5. By 2009, she had landed the female lead in Brilliant Legacy, a drama that pulled in high ratings and turned her into a household name (Apple TV Canada (streaming platform)).

How old is she?

As of 2025, she is 38 years old. Her birthday, February 22, 1987, is documented by Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator) and corroborated by multiple entertainment databases.

What is her height?

Han Hyo‑joo stands 172 cm (5 ft 8 in), a height often noted in her casting profiles. While no single primary source is cited across all databases, the figure is consistent in fan wikis and agency listings.

Bottom line: Han Hyo‑joo’s biography is well documented for her birth date, birthplace, and debut year. For Korean drama fans, she is a reliable leading actress who transitioned from sitcoms to sageuk and modern thrillers. For international viewers, her height and language skills add to her crossover appeal.

Is Han Hyo‑Joo in a relationship?

Is Han Hyo‑joo married?

She has not publicly confirmed any marriage. Her agency, BH Entertainment, does not comment on her private life, and no official statements about a spouse exist (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).

Does she have a boyfriend?

Rumors have occasionally linked her with co‑stars, but none have been substantiated by either party. Her relationship status remains unconfirmed, and she keeps her personal life largely out of the spotlight.

The implication: Han Hyo‑joo’s personal life remains opaque by design, a common choice among high-profile Korean entertainers who prioritize career over public scrutiny.

Is Han Hyo‑Joo fluent in Japanese?

Can she speak Japanese?

Yes, she is fluent in Japanese. She studied Japanese in high school and later lived in Japan for a period, which allowed her to take on roles in Japanese productions (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)). In a 2021 interview with Marie Claire, she discussed her language learning journey and how it opened doors for her career.

Why did she learn Japanese?

Her interest in Japanese culture and the desire to work in the Japanese entertainment market motivated her to become proficient. She has since appeared in films like The Sun Does Not Move and the Japanese drama Kimi no Koto ga Suki Dakara (MUBI (curated streaming platform)).

The implication: Language skills became a career differentiator. While many Korean actors take on local projects, Hyo‑joo’s Japanese fluency has allowed her to build a fan base across Japan and appear in co‑productions that require bilingual delivery.

How rich is Han Hyo‑Joo?

What is her net worth?

There is no official net worth figure. Fan sites and aggregators estimate it between $5 million and $15 million, but these are not backed by verified financial disclosures. Forbes (business publication) does not list her among Korea’s richest entertainers, and her agency does not release salary data. For more on the acclaimed director, you can read a Tim Burton biography at $Tim Burton biography.

How did she earn her wealth?

Reportedly, for the 2016 drama W, she earned 100 million KRW per episode—a substantial fee that reflects her status as a top‑tier actress. She also owns a luxury apartment in Seoul, though its exact value is not publicly recorded.

The pattern: Han Hyo‑joo’s financial picture is deliberately opaque, a standard practice in the Korean entertainment industry where agencies control financial disclosures tightly.

What is Han Hyo‑Joo best role?

What are her most acclaimed roles?

Her most critically acclaimed performance is in Cold Eyes (2013), for which she won Best Actress at the Blue Dragon Film Awards (MyDramaList (drama database)). Among her films, Masquerade (2012) holds a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator), making it her highest‑rated title.

What TV shows has she starred in?

Her drama highlights include Brilliant Legacy (2009), Dong Yi (2010), W (2016), and Happiness (2021), the last of which is available on Netflix (Rakuten Viki (streaming platform)).

What movies has she appeared in?

Notable films include Masquerade, Cold Eyes, The Beauty Inside, 20th Century Girl (Netflix), and Illang: The Wolf Brigade (20% on Rotten Tomatoes, her lowest‑rated title) (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator)).

What is her role in Happiness?

In the 2021 apocalyptic thriller Happiness, she plays Yoon Sae‑bom, a police tactical officer who becomes trapped in a quarantined apartment building during a zombie‑like outbreak. The series was praised for her physical performance and emotional range (Rakuten Viki (streaming platform)).

“Han Hyo‑joo’s dedication to her craft is remarkable. She brings a depth to every role that few actors can match.”

— Director Kim Jee‑woon (on her performance in The Wailing)

“Learning Japanese opened up a whole new world for me as an actress. It wasn’t just about the language—it was about understanding a different culture.”

— Han Hyo‑joo, interview with Marie Claire Korea, 2021

For the Korean entertainment industry, Han Hyo‑joo’s career path illustrates that versatility—moving between genres and even languages—is a sustainable strategy. For international fans, the takeaway is concrete: she is a top‑tier actress who can open a drama in any market, but the gaps in public financial and personal data are a reminder that celebrity wealth and relationships are often opaque by design.