Han Ji-hye

3.2.1. Television Dramas

Han Ji-hye has starred in a wide array of television dramas, showcasing her versatility and growth as an actress. Her early roles included Great Luck Family (2002), The Bean Chaff of My Life (2003), Scent of a Man (2003), and Summer Scent (2003). In 2004, she took on her first leading role as Yoon Jung-sook in Sweet 18, portraying a high school student who marries a prosecutor ten years her senior, a role that proved to be a significant success. She also starred as Hong Eun-soo in Island Village Teacher and appeared in the Banjun Drama series, featuring in episodes such as "Meet Princess Good-For-Nothing," "Since That Day," "I Will Love You," "Love Thief," "My Beloved Bodyguard," "Second Love," "Rival," "His Double Life," "Lovers," "For Her Sake," "In My Little Bride," and "Cute Hostage."

In 2005, she played Seo Young-ji in The Secret Lovers, followed by Yoon Jung-won in Cloud Stairs in 2006. Her 2007 daily drama Likeable or Not, where she played Na Dan-poong, became exceptionally popular, topping ratings charts and achieving the highest rating for a daily drama since 2000. This success was followed by her role as Kim Ji-hyun in the 2008 epic drama East of Eden, where she demonstrated newfound maturity and significant improvement in her acting.

In 2010, she starred as Yoon In-sa in KBS Drama Special: Pianist. The following year, 2011, saw her in The Duo as Dong-nyeo, the Chinese drama Heavenly Embroidery as Quan Cai Xi, and the 2-part Chuseok special The Great Gift as Kim Ha-yeon, where she portrayed a visually impaired teacher.

Her career continued to flourish in the 2010s. In 2012, she played Chun Hae-joo in May Queen, a drama about a woman's success in Korea's shipbuilding industry during its modernization. In 2013, she took on dual roles as Jung Mong-hee and Son Yoo-na (and also Han Seon-hwa) in Pots of Gold (also known as I Summon You, Gold! or Gold, Appear!), a family comedy exploring themes of money, love, and marriage. In 2014, she played Han Young-won, a cold-hearted heiress, in The Full Sun, and Moon Soo-in, a wrongfully convicted prisoner turned baker, in 4 Legendary Witches.

More recently, she starred as Park Yoo-ha in the 2018 family drama Marry Me Now and as Eun Dong-joo in The Golden Garden in 2019. In 2023, she made a special appearance as Eun-sook in Han River Police. She is also cast as Sister Agnes (Seo Yeon-joo) in the upcoming 2025 SBS Friday-Saturday drama Treasure Island.

3.2.2. Films

Han Ji-hye has also made contributions to cinema, appearing in several films. In 2002, she had a role as a convenience store clerk in Saving My Hubby. The following year, 2003, she appeared as Ji-hye, Jeong-joon's new girlfriend, in Singles. In 2005, she starred as Ha-mi in My Boyfriend Is Type B. Her film roles continued with Humming in 2008, where she played Mi-yeon. In 2010, she took on the role of Baek-ji in the period action film Blades of Blood, a role for which director Lee Joon-ik cast her without an audition, noting her unique Asian-looking eyes and natural demeanor. She also contributed to the film's soundtrack.

3.3.1. Discography

3.3.2. Music Videos

Han Ji-hye has also appeared in music videos for other artists.

3.4.1. Shoe Design

In 2009, Han Ji-hye ventured into shoe design. After studying the craft in Florence, Italy, she collaborated with the established shoe brand Jinny Kim to create and produce her own line, named "H by Jinny Kim." This creative process was documented in the cable television program Han Ji-hye: Shoes! My Dream!, which aired on O'live TV. The Fall/Winter 2009 collection of "H by Jinny Kim" was made available for purchase in major department stores across Seoul and its surrounding metropolitan areas, as well as in a well-known department store in Singapore and various online shopping malls.

3.4.2. Writing Career

In 2010, Han Ji-hye published an autobiographical lifestyle essay collection titled My Fair Lady. The book provided insights into her hobbies and daily life rather than focusing on her onscreen work. It contained her reflections and experiences as a single woman in her twenties, alongside details about her various personal projects and interests. These included her journey into shoe design, her studies in tea ceremony, her exploration of ceramics, her engagement in DIY furniture making, and her work with fabric art.