Kim Ji-young, better known by her stage name Han Chae-young, is a South Korean actress who has made a name for herself not only in her own country but also in mainland China by pushing her career beyond the country’s boundaries. In 2000, Han made his acting debut in the horror thriller ‘The Record.’ ‘Autumn in My Heart,’ a television melodrama, followed. Han was dubbed the “Barbie Doll of Korea” by the media and went on to appear in multiple advertisements before receiving invitations to appear in films and TV dramas. Her typecast positions and unskilled acting talents received a lot of flak at first. Her big break came in 2005, when she landed the lead role in the TV show ‘Delightful Girl Choon-Hyang.’ Following that, she appeared in a number of famous small and big screen productions in her nation, including films such as ‘Wild Card,’ ‘Good Morning President,’ and ‘The Star Next Door,’ as well as TV shows such as ‘Only You,’ and ‘Pretty Man.’ With films like ‘A Big Deal,’ ‘The Guest,’ and TV dramas like ‘Dream in Blue,’ and ‘The Rebirth of a Celebrity Superstar,’ she has boosted her career in mainland China.
Childhood and Adolescence of Han Chae-young
Han Chae-young was born in Daegu, South Korea, on September 13, 1980. Her family moved to the United States when she was a child.
She attended Glenbrook South High School in a Chicago suburb where she grew up.
During her journey to Korea, Han was observed by a well-known Korean comedian. Her desire to pursue acting was sparked by the comedian, who forced her to postpone her college plans.
She later graduated from Dongguk University with a Bachelor’s degree in Theater and Film.
A Career of Han Chae-young
She went by the stage name Han Chae-young and began acting without any formal training. She made her acting debut in the South Korean horror film ‘The Record,’ which was released on August 26, 2000, and in which she played Eun-mi.
In 2000, she made her television debut in the South Korean love drama ‘Autumn in My Heart,’ which aired on KBS2. Choi/Yoon Shin-ae, the antagonist in the popular series, was played by her.
Her lack of acting experience and unpolished abilities received criticism. Han, dubbed “Barbie Doll of Korea” by the press because of her remarkable features, went on to receive countless commercial sponsorships.
Her typecasting as an affluent and unapproachable beauty would continue in her next several endeavors. Films like ‘Bet on My Disco’ (2002) and ‘Wild Card’ (2003), as well as television dramas like ‘Affection’ (2002) and ‘Beijing My Love’ (2003), were among them (2004).
‘Delightful Girl Choon-Hyang,’ a South Korean contemporary romantic comedy television series, was her big break. Sung Choon-hyang was her name in the series, which was a modern retelling of one of Korea’s most renowned and legendary love romances and folk tales, ‘Chunhyangjeon.’
‘Delightful Girl Choon-Hyang,’ which broadcast on KBS2 from January 3 to March 1, 2005, became a huge hit, propelling Han to celebrity. At the 2005 KBS Drama Awards, she won the Popularity Award for actress and the Best Couple Award (shared with Jae Hee) for her depiction of Sung Choon-hyang.
She subsequently went on to play Cha Eun-jae, a 20-year-old obstinate and prideful girl who loves to cook, in the Korean comedy romantic drama TV series ‘Only You,’ which aired on SBS (2005). The series is the first and only Korean drama to be shot in Italy.
In 2006, she starred as Shin Na-ra in the MBC televised romantic melodrama ‘Exhibition of Fireworks,’ and also appeared as Choi Han-na in the SBS televised romantic comedy drama ‘My Girl.’
In 2007, she received the Korea Best Dresser of the Year Award. In the same year, she was seen in the glamourous character of So-yeo in the couple-swapping film ‘Love Now,’ earning her a nomination for the Grand Bell Award for Best New Actress in 2008.
With Jang Jin’s play ‘Clumsy People,’ she made her stage debut. From December 7, 2007 until March 2, 2008, the show was completely sold out.
Rachel Han’s, her clothes line, was launched in 2008 in collaboration with Gmarket, a Korean online auction and shopping mall website.
She acted alongside Lee Soon-jae, Jang Dong-gun, and Go Doo-shim in the South Korean film ‘Good Morning President,’ which was released on October 22, 2009. In the same year, she played Min Seo-hyun in the popular South Korean romantic comedy drama ‘Boys Over Flowers,’ which aired on KBS2.
According to Han, the part of Jin in the South Korean romantic comedy film ‘Girlfriends,’ which was released on December 17, 2009, was the one that most resembled her and that she “had the most joy playing.” She won the Female Star Award at the Andre Kim Best Star Awards that year.
In the South Korean action romance series ‘A Man Called God,’ she played the lead character of Jin Bo-bae. From March 6, 2010 to May 23, 2010, MBC aired 24 episodes of the weekend series, which is an adaptation of manhwa writer Park Bong-1999 seong’s comic book of the same name.
Han also appeared as J in the four-part mystery-fantasy web film ‘The Influence,’ which was released on March 3, and as Stylist in the tourism-themed mini-movie ‘Haru: An Unforgettable Day in Korea,’ which was released on September 9.
Han, who speaks English, joined with Creative Artists Agency (CAA), a Los Angeles-based American agency, in 2010 to begin her career in Hollywood.
Despite not having a Hollywood premiere, Han was able to make her international debut with Liwen Ma’s Chinese fantasy comedy ‘A Big Deal.’ In the December 2, 2011 release, she co-starred with Chapman To, Leon Jay Williams, and Blue Lan.
In 2012, she got the lead role of Lin Wei Wei in the Chinese television drama ‘Dream in Blue,’ which aired on Zhejiang TV and starred alongside Zhu Zi Xiao.
She returned to Korean television with a leading role in the South Korean romantic workplace drama ‘Ad Genius Lee Tae-baek,’ which aired on KBS2 for 16 episodes from February 4 to March 26, 2013.
In 2013, she had a major part in the KBS2 aired romantic comedy series ‘Pretty Man’ and a guest appearance in the SBS aired series ‘My Love from the Star,’ both of which were both in 2013.
In 2015, she hosted her debut variety show, ‘Take Care of My Dressing Table.’ She starred as Shang Wanting in the Chinese TV drama ‘1931 Love Story’ that year.
Han’s other Chinese productions include the crime thriller film ‘The Guest,’ which was released on April 1, 2016, and the Chinese TV drama ‘The Rebirth of a Celebrity Superstar,’ which was published on April 1, 2016. (2016).
In 2017, she starred as Hye-Mi in the Korean comedy film ‘The Star Next Door,’ which was released on September 21. She’s also a cast member of the show ‘Sister’s Slam Dunk’ and has participated in the variety show ‘Knowing Bros.’
She is currently starring in the South Korean travel reality show ‘Wizard of Nowhere,’ which airs on MBC TV.
Personal History and Legacy
She married Choi Dong-joon, a Korean-American businessman, on June 2, 2007. On August 28, 2013, the couple welcomed their first child, a son.
Estimated Net Worth
Han Chae-young is one of the wealthiest TV actresses and one of the most popular. Han Chae-net young’s worth is estimated to be $1.5 million, according to Wikipedia, Forbes, and Business Insider.