Ha Jun
Ha Jun (born Song Joon-chul on April 3, 1987) is a South Korean actor who has gained prominence for his versatile performances in television dramas and films since his debut in 2013.[1][2] Known by his former stage name Song Ha-jun, he stands at 180 cm tall and has built a career portraying complex characters in genres ranging from historical epics to thrillers. His breakthrough roles include the detective Shin Joon-ho in the supernatural drama Missing: The Other Side (2020) and Kang Tae-ho in the family-oriented series Live Your Own Life (2023–2024), for which he earned the Excellence Award for Long-Length Drama and Best Couple Award (with Uee) at the 2023 KBS Drama Awards.[2][3] Early in his career, Ha Jun appeared in supporting parts in notable projects such as the historical drama Six Flying Dragons (2015), where he played a minor role, and the action film The Outlaws (2017), showcasing his ability to handle intense scenes.[1] He further expanded his portfolio with roles in Bad Papa (2018), earning nominations for Best New Actor at the MBC Drama Awards, and the school-themed series Black Dog (2019), which highlighted his dramatic range.[3] In film, he has starred in The Boys Who Cried Wolf (2016) as Kwang-suk and Festival (2020), contributing to his growing reputation for authentic portrayals.[4] Ha Jun's transition to more prominent roles in the 2020s, including Kwon Jae-kyung in the fantasy romance Destined with You (2023), has solidified his status in the industry, with praise for his natural dialogue delivery and emotional depth.[2] As of 2025, he continues to be active in both television and theater, with recent involvement in stage productions like Mrs. Macam (2025) and upcoming projects that underscore his evolving artistry.[5][6]Early life
Birth and family
Ha Jun was born Song Joon-chul on April 3, 1987, in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.[7][8] He initially used his birth name within his family and local community before adopting the stage name Ha Jun later in his professional life. Little is publicly known about Ha Jun's immediate family, including his parents and any siblings, as he maintains a private personal life.[9] Born into the Song family in the provincial city of Changwon, he grew up during a period of significant social and economic transformation in South Gyeongsang Province. In the late 1980s and 1990s, the region, including Changwon, underwent rapid industrialization and urbanization as part of South Korea's broader economic boom, with the city's population increasing by approximately 45% between 1980 and 1990.[10][11] This context shaped the everyday experiences of residents in provincial areas, marked by expanding industrial opportunities and shifting cultural dynamics amid national democratization movements.Education and early interests
Ha Jun was raised in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, where he attended local schools for his primary and secondary education.[12] His early interest in the entertainment industry began with modeling for teen and young adult fashion photography, providing initial exposure to performance and public presentation.[7] Pursuing this passion, Ha Jun enrolled at the Seoul Institute of the Arts, majoring in theater studies and earning a bachelor's degree, which honed his skills in acting and stage performance before his professional career.[7]Career
Debut and early roles
Ha Jun made his professional acting debut in 2013 under the stage name Song Ha-jun, appearing as Lee Woo-seok in a guest role in the 16th episode of the tvN supernatural drama Who Are You?.[1] This marked his entry into television, following earlier involvement in theater that transitioned him from amateur performances to professional work. In 2014, Song Ha-jun continued building his resume with supporting roles in several high-profile series. He portrayed a presidential guard in the SBS action thriller 3 Days, which centered on a conspiracy surrounding the South Korean president, and played Na Do-hyung, a key investigative figure, in the tvN mystery Gap Dong, based on a real-life serial killer case. These minor but noticeable parts allowed him to gain on-screen experience amid ensemble casts.[1] The year 2015 saw further television exposure for Song Ha-jun, including the role of Dong-bin in the SBS romantic comedy Cheongdamdong Scandal, a daily drama exploring class differences and love in Seoul's affluent neighborhood. Later that year, he appeared as Ryoo Moon-sang in the epic historical series Six Flying Dragons on SBS, depicting the founding of the Joseon Dynasty, where his character contributed to the narrative's political intrigue.[1] These early supporting roles established his presence in both genre and period pieces during the mid-2010s. By the late 2010s, Song Ha-jun adopted the simpler stage name Ha Jun to better align with his evolving career image.[1]Breakthrough in film
Ha Jun entered the film industry with his debut in the 2016 crime thriller The Boys Who Cried Wolf, directed by Kim Jin-hwang, where he played Kwang-suk, a struggling actor who takes on a dangerous job as a fake witness in a murder case.[13] This role marked his initial foray into cinema, following supporting parts in television, and highlighted his ability to convey moral ambiguity in low-budget independent productions.[14] The film premiered at the 2015 Busan International Film Festival and received a limited theatrical release on June 2, 2016, though it garnered modest box office attendance of around 6,500 viewers.[15] Building on this, Ha Jun took on supporting roles that exposed him to larger-scale productions, including The Outlaws (2017), where he portrayed Kang Hong-seok, a dedicated police officer amid a gang war in Seoul.[16] Directed by Kang Yoon-sung, the action-crime blockbuster became one of South Korea's highest-grossing films of the year, allowing Ha Jun to demonstrate intensity in ensemble dynamics.[17] He followed this with a brief but memorable appearance in the romantic comedy On Your Wedding Day (2018), directed by Lee Seok-joon, as Hwan Seung-hee's groom, contributing to the film's lighthearted exploration of love and regret. These early film appearances contrasted with his television supporting roles by offering opportunities for more physical and nuanced character work, gradually establishing his reputation for versatile, grounded portrayals. Ha Jun's breakthrough arrived with the lead role in Festival (2020), directed by Kim Rok-kyung, where he embodied Kyung-man, an underemployed master of ceremonies who must feign joy at village events to fund his father's funeral amid personal grief.[18] Critics praised his performance for its emotional authenticity, noting how he captured the character's inner turmoil and desperate resilience, making Kyung-man a poignant symbol of quiet suffering.[19] In an interview, Ha Jun described the role's appeal as its profound emotional layers, which he explored through audition to bring raw vulnerability to the screen.[20] Released on December 2, 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the film faced restricted theatrical screenings but achieved wider visibility via online film festivals, including the inaugural virtual Korean Film Festival, enhancing its reach despite the era's production and distribution challenges.[21] This lead performance solidified Ha Jun's shift toward intense, character-driven cinema, distinguishing his film career from prior television ensembles and earning recognition for his depth in portraying everyday resilience.Television prominence
Ha Jun began gaining prominence in television with supporting roles in several dramas starting in 2017. In the 2018 MBC series Bad Papa, he portrayed Lee Min-woo, an MMA champion and sports superstar, contributing to the show's exploration of family and redemption themes.[22] Additionally, in the 2020 anthology series SF8: Blink episode on MBC, Ha Jun took on the role of Seo Nang, an AI partner depicted as a tutelar deity, earning praise for his nuanced portrayal in the sci-fi format.[23] A significant breakthrough came with his lead role as Do Yeon-woo, an idealistic Korean language teacher, in the 2019-2020 tvN drama Black Dog: Being a Teacher. The series highlighted Ha Jun's dramatic range through his character's navigation of educational politics and personal growth, receiving positive reviews for his authentic and empathetic performance that resonated with audiences.[24] He followed this with the role of police officer Shin Joon-ho in the supernatural drama Missing: The Other Side (2020), further showcasing his versatility in genre-bending narratives. Ha Jun achieved major success as the male lead Kang Tae-ho in the 2023-2024 KBS2 family drama Live Your Own Life, opposite Uee as Lee Hyo-sim. His depiction of a confident planning director emphasized deep character development, blending romance and familial conflicts, which contributed to the series' widespread popularity and high ratings.[25] That same year, he appeared as Kwon Jae-kyung, the mayor's advisor, in the fantasy romance Destined With You, adding to his portfolio of complex supporting roles in popular series. In 2025, Ha Jun continued to demonstrate ongoing demand with cameo appearances in two series. He guest-starred as Ki Beom, a young man devoted to his grandmother, in episodes 1-2 of the tvN comedy Shin's Project, adding intrigue to the ensemble cast.[26] Similarly, in Confidence Queen on TV Chosun, he portrayed hospital director Jo Seong-woo in episodes 5-6, playing a villainous surgeon that heightened the crime comedy's tension.[27] These roles reflect his evolution in the 2020s toward more mature, family-oriented dramas while maintaining flexibility for diverse cameos.Filmography
Films
Ha Jun's film career began with supporting roles in independent and action films, gradually incorporating lead opportunities in dramatic features. His roles often portray complex supporting characters, such as detectives or everyday figures, contributing to ensemble dynamics without dominating narratives.[1]| Year | Title | Role | Character Type | Director |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | The Boys Who Cried Wolf (Yangchikideul) | Kwang-suk | Supporting | Kim Jin-hwang |
| 2017 | The Outlaws (Beomjoidosi) | Kang Hong-seok | Supporting (detective) | Kang Yoon-sung |
| 2018 | On Your Wedding Day (Neoui gyeolhonsik) | Seung-hee's groom | Supporting (cameo) | Lee Seok-geun |
| 2019 | Girls' Stories (Geunyeodeurui sajeong) | Han-nam | Supporting | Kim Seok-jung |
| 2020 | Remain (Rimein) | Ko Jun-hui | Main | Kim Min-kyung |
| 2020 | Festival (Janchitnal) | Kyung-man | Lead | Kim Rok-yeong |
| 2022 | The Roundup (Beomjoe-do-si 2) | Kang Hong-seok | Supporting (detective, reprise) | Lee Sang-yong |
Television series
Ha Jun made his television debut in 2013 and has since appeared in a variety of Korean dramas, ranging from historical epics to modern thrillers and anthology specials. His roles have progressed from minor and supporting parts to leading characters, showcasing his versatility across genres. The following table lists his television series and specials chronologically, including roles, networks, and notes on role type or episode count where notable.[1]| Year | Title | Role | Network | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Who Are You? | Lee Woo-seok | tvN | Guest role (Episode 16) |
| 2014 | 3 Days | Presidential guard | SBS | Supporting role (16 episodes) |
| 2014 | Gap Dong | Na Do-hyung | tvN | Guest role (20 episodes) |
| 2014 | Cheongdam-dong Scandal | Dong-bin | KBS2 | Supporting role (daily drama) |
| 2015 | Six Flying Dragons | Ryoo Moon-sang | SBS | Supporting role (50 episodes) |
| 2018 | Radio Romance | Kim Jun-woo | KBS2 | Supporting role (16 episodes) |
| 2018 | Bad Papa | Lee Min-woo | JTBC | Supporting role (16 episodes) |
| 2018 | Drama Stage | Unknown | JTBC | Supporting role in special (1 episode) |
| 2019 | Arthdal Chronicles | Ta Choo-gan | tvN | Supporting role (18 episodes) |
| 2019 | Black Dog | Do Yeon-woo | tvN | Main role (16 episodes) |
| 2020 | SF8 | Seo Nang | MBC | Main role in "Blink" episode (1 episode anthology) |
| 2020 | Missing: The Other Side | Kim Woon-gi | OCN | Main role (12 episodes) |
| 2021 | Times | Ji-hyung | OCN | Supporting role (12 episodes) |
| 2021 | High Class | Danny Oh | JTBC | Main role (16 episodes) |
| 2022 | Insider | Unknown | JTBC | Guest role (16 episodes) |
| 2022 | Crazy Love | Oh Se-gi | tvN | Main role (16 episodes) |
| 2022 | Bad Prosecutor | Oh Do-hwan | SBS | Main role (12 episodes) |
| 2022 | Missing: The Other Side Season 2 | Kim Woon-gi | tvN | Main role (reprise, 14 episodes) |
| 2023–2024 | Destined with You | Jang Shin-yu | JTBC | Main role (16 episodes) |
| 2023–2024 | Live Your Own Life | Kang Tae-ho | KBS2 | Main role (51 episodes) |
| 2024 | Drama Special: The Two Women | Im Seo-rim | KBS2 | Main role (1 episode) |
| 2025 | Shin's Project | Gi Beom | tvN | Guest role (12 episodes) |
| 2025 | Confidence Queen | Jo Seong-woo | TV Chosun | Guest role (Episodes 5-6) |
Theatre
Stage productions
Ha Jun began his acting career with experience in theater during his studies at Seoul Institute of the Arts, where he trained in the theater department. His professional stage debut came in 2012 with a supporting multi role in the musical The Fantastic Couple.[6] In 2025, Ha Jun appeared in non-musical theater with the Korean premiere of the British farce Move Over Mrs. Markham (titled Shh! Mrs. Markham or Mrs. Macam in Korean), written by Ray Cooney and John Chapman. He portrayed Henry Lodge, a mild-mannered husband entangled in a chaotic mix-up of romantic liaisons at a publishing house party. The production, directed by Min Yeon-hong, ran from November 21, 2025, to February 1, 2026, at The Good Theater in Daehangno, Seoul, featuring a large ensemble cast including Yoo Sun as Mrs. Markham, Song Jae-hee, Oh Min-seok, Lee Soon-won, and Kim Ji-sun, among others. The 105-minute play emphasizes farcical misunderstandings and physical comedy, drawing from Cooney's signature style seen in works like Run for Your Wife. The run offered discounted tickets for November performances, underscoring its appeal as a holiday-season entertainment.[53][54][55][56]| Year | Title | Role | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025–2026 | Shh! Mrs. Markham (Move Over Mrs. Markham) | Henry Lodge | The Good Theater, Daehangno, Seoul |
Musical theatre roles
Ha Jun's involvement in musical theatre began with his debut in 2012 in The Fantastic Couple, where he played a multi supporting role.[6]| Year | Title | Role | Theatre/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | The Fantastic Couple | Multi (supporting) | Debut production.[6] |