It took 18 long years for Jung Yoon Ha’s name to become known to the public. Despite years of financial hardship, Jung Yoon Ha has never given up his passion for acting. He spent his early mornings making deliveries in Coupang to make ends meet and spent his afternoons auditioning for roles, refusing to waste a single moment. “Acting is a waiting profession” he once said. “I didn’t want to spend that time carelessly.” For her, every day was not just about survival, but also about training to maintain her dream.
Debuting in 2007 as a commercial model, Jung gradually built her resume with appearances Big bet, MyAND 12.12: The Day. His face was familiar, but his name remained unknown. Yet instead of giving up, she used every break to become stronger and better prepared.
She learned English, Chinese and Japanese, trained in shooting, freediving and action choreography, and prepared for the day when she would finally be recognized as a “ready actress.” That moment has arrived Connection.
In the film, Jung Yoon Ha played Park Ji Yong’s (Kim Jae Cheol) wife, a small but pivotal role that left a strong impression on audiences. Her emotional yet restrained performance earned widespread praise, and the film’s record-breaking success immediately made her “a million-watch actress.” Shortly after, she was cast in the Netflix series The Trunkwhere she plays Lee Seo Yeon, the ex-wife of Han Jeong Won (played by Gong Yoo).
To portray her character authentically, Jung underwent psychiatric counseling and psychological seminars to understand the emotional depth of her role. “It felt like the real beginning of my acting career,” he said. “Working with Gong Yoo and Seo Hyun Jin was inspiring to say the least.”
However, his journey was not without pain. Jung revealed that she was diagnosed with cancer and underwent surgery, only to face a recurrence a year later. Luckily, further tests showed that the tumor was benign. “That moment made me realize how precious life is” he shared. “I started to see health, people and myself differently. Thanks to everyone’s support, I recovered and am now healthier than ever.”
After his recovery, Jung continued to move forward. He recently confirmed his appearance on Disney+ A Shop for Assassins Season 2 as Kusanagi, the head of Babylon’s East Asian branch, a cold but imposing figure expected to add intensity to the series’ expanded universe and high-octane action sequences.
From his difficult days as a delivery driver in Coupang to battling illness, Jung Yoon Ha’s 18-year career has been more than perseverance: it’s been a story of self-confidence. He never abandoned his dream and today he is living proof that resilience and dedication lead to triumph.
“I just want to continue doing what I love, acting, for a long and healthy life,” he said with a smile. And indeed, Jung Yoon Ha has become the embodiment of hard-earned success – a true “million-watch actress,” not by luck, but through relentless effort.
Sources: daum
