[Dispatch = Kim Ji-ho]
"Auditions? I lost count of how many I failed. Probably more than a hundred. At some point, I just became numb to it."

This is the typical story of an aspiring actor. Juggling part-time jobs to make ends meet while auditioning for every role possible, only to face rejection time and time again.

There were moments of discouragement, but giving up was never an option. After all, acting was the first thing that truly made Ha Seo-yoon's heart race. No matter how difficult, she wanted to keep going.

Finally, the doors started opening. She landed supporting roles in multiple projects, and now, people are starting to recognize her. She's slowly but surely discovering the joy of acting.

"I actually enjoy pushing myself. There's a certain thrill when I manage to express something hidden deep inside through acting. Every set feels like a live classroom."

Wouldn't a happy ending suit this story best? The classic journey of an unknown actor rising to the top, against all odds.

Ha Seo-yoon is on that path. The pace may be slow, but it doesn't matter. Her passion for acting burns brighter than ever.

"Simply Because I Love Acting"

Ha Seo-yoon—still a relatively unfamiliar name. She's only in her third year since debuting. Yet, the future already looks promising. With her elegant visuals and expressive acting, she's quickly gaining attention.

Starting with a supporting role in The Worst of Evil (2023), she has been steadily climbing the ranks. She even landed a lead role in Time to Be Strong (2024). Other projects like Iron Family (2024) and Assembled Family by Choice (2024) have also allowed her to showcase her versatility.

When asked how she got into acting, she reflected, "I used to be extremely shy and introverted. I couldn't even speak up when I wanted to. I hated giving presentations in class."

"In high school, I took an acting class and stood in front of people for the first time. I'll never forget that moment. When the audience truly connected with the emotions I was expressing, I felt this incredible rush. That feeling lingered for a long time."

That powerful moment of catharsis set her on the path to becoming an actor. She has since explored various genres and roles—from a frail queen in Captivating the King (2024) to a cheerful police officer in Iron Family (2024).

"Acting is such a fascinating job. I love that I get to live so many different lives. But more than that, acting helps me discover more about myself—what I like, what I dislike, and who I really am."

"Too Many Rejections to Count"

Before landing her first role, she faced countless setbacks. Like many aspiring actors, she endured endless failed auditions while struggling to make a living.

"Before my first project, I was basically in a state of 'nothingness.' I auditioned an insane number of times, but I just couldn't seem to break through. Looking back, I think my skills weren't fully developed yet."

She recalled her desperation at the time. "I was so eager to do well that I think it showed in my acting. I wanted it too badly, and that threw off my performance. The constant rejections were tough. I kept asking myself, 'What am I doing wrong?'"

To support herself, she took on every job she could find. "I worked at restaurants, izakayas, cafes, handed out flyers, even worked at a logistics center."

But light eventually broke through the darkness. She figured out the key to overcoming her struggles. "One day, I just let go of the pressure. That's when my acting became more natural, and suddenly, casting directors started noticing me."

"I still remember my first time on set. My mind went completely blank—I was so nervous. But as I gained experience, I adapted. I started enjoying it more, thanks to my co-actors who guided me through it."

"A Sickly Queen, A Spirited Cop, and…"

Ha Seo-yoon describes herself as fearless and always up for a challenge. Her role in Captivating the King is proof of that. Though some worried that historical dramas would be too demanding, she was simply excited for the opportunity.

She played Queen Oh, a tragic character constantly tormented by the Dowager Queen and ignored by her husband, the King. With her declining health and emotional turmoil, the role was intense.

"Maybe I didn't realize how hard historical dramas could be because it was my first time. I was just happy to be there. Since my character was ill, I really wanted to embody that physically—I even lost 8kg (17lbs), bringing my weight down to 41kg (90lbs). No one asked me to do it—I just felt like I had to."

She admitted, "Filming in full hanbok under the summer heat was brutal. I remember nearly passing out multiple times. And because my next projects overlapped, I couldn't gain the weight back in between. To keep my character's continuity, I've maintained 41kg ever since."

In contrast, her role as police officer Song Su-ji in Iron Family was full of bright and positive energy. The character falls in love with Lee Mu-rim (Kim Hyun-joon) and eventually marries him.

"Su-ji is warm, easygoing, and strong. She's probably the closest to my real personality. My friends always say I give off the same energy. I also admired how much she took pride in her job—it made me want to work even harder on my performance."

"The Set Is My Classroom"

In Iron Family, she didn't have the biggest role. But for her, just being on set was rewarding enough.

She worked alongside veteran actors like Kim Young-ok, Park In-hwan, Shin Hyun-joon, Park Ji-young, Kim Sun-kyung, and Kim Hye-eun—all masters of naturalistic acting. She also learned from Kim Jung-hyun, Geum Sae-rok, and Choi Tae-joon.

"Watching senior actors perform up close was like attending a live masterclass. Even legends still rehearse their lines over and over in the waiting room. It was an invaluable learning experience."

She recalled how Kim Sun-kyung helped her through challenging scenes. "Whenever I hesitated, she would say, 'You can try it again. No regrets.' That encouragement meant the world to me."

Additionally, working on a 36-episode drama gave her insight into maintaining consistent energy and pacing. "It was my first time in such a long production. I learned a lot about sustaining a character over time."

"I Want to Be a Good Actor"

Every actor has their own strengths. For Ha Seo-yoon, it's delivering subtle, restrained emotions—a skill she honed through roles like the Queen in Secret Plot.

"Directors and senior actors have all pointed out that I'm good at portraying silent, internalized emotions. And honestly, I feel like I grow the most when playing those types of roles."

She strives to master the art of quiet, compelling performances. "For me, acting is all about expressing emotions through my eyes. No matter what, I never want to lose that ability."

Her journey is just beginning, but her passion is already burning bright.

"I look up to Oh Jung-se—he excels in every genre, from films to dramas. I want to be an actor like him. I'm also learning English and getting into action acting. I'm ready to take on any role this year!"

🎬 Next Up: She stars as Matilda in the upcoming film Streaming, alongside Kang Ha-neul—hitting theaters March 21.

[Photo Credit: Prain TPC]