Back to Stories & Gossip

Yerin Ha: The Complete Biography and Career Guide (2025 Update)

Portrait of actress Yerin Ha in a modern regency-inspired aesthetic for her role in Bridgerton.
Image generated by AI / Source: Unsplash

Yerin Ha: A Biographic Snapshot

Before we dive into the emotional nuances of her career, let’s look at the hard data that makes her a powerhouse in the industry:

  • Full Name: Yerin Ha
  • Birth Date: June 26, 1995
  • Place of Birth: Sydney, Australia
  • Ethnicity: Korean-Australian
  • Education: National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA)
  • Height: 159 cm (approx. 5'3")
  • Breakout Role: Kwan Ha in Halo (Paramount+)
  • Next Major Project: Sophie Baek in Bridgerton Season 4

Imagine walking onto a set as massive as Halo or Bridgerton knowing that you aren't just playing a character; you are carrying the weight of cultural representation for millions. Yerin Ha doesn't just show up; she occupies the space with a grounded confidence that comes from years of classical training.

Starting her journey in Sydney, she has navigated the transition from local stage productions to global streaming giants with a grace that suggests she was always meant for this level of stardom. This guide serves as your ultimate playbook for understanding how she became the most talked-about actress of the year.

Early Life and the Family Acting Legacy

Yerin’s success isn't an accident—it’s in her DNA. She comes from a lineage where the stage was a second home, providing her with a unique perspective on the industry from a young age.

  • Grandmother’s Legacy: Her grandmother is the legendary South Korean actress Sook-hee Son, a titan of the stage and screen.
  • Parental Influence: Both of her parents met while studying at drama school, making her a literal 'theatre kid' by birth.
  • Bicultural Roots: Raised in Sydney, she moved to South Korea at age 15 to attend Kaywon Arts High School, blending Western and Eastern training methods.
  • The NIDA Pedigree: She returned to Australia to graduate from the prestigious National Institute of Dramatic Art in 2018.
  • Early Aspirations: She originally intended to stay in the Korean entertainment market before her international breakthrough in the US.

This blend of Australian grit and Korean discipline creates a mechanism for her acting that is remarkably versatile. When you watch her, you're seeing the result of 'The Legacy Loop'—where family history meets personal obsession with the craft. This allows her to bring a level of dignity to her roles that feels both ancient and contemporary.

Career Milestones: The Road to Bridgerton

Tracking a star's trajectory helps us understand the psychological 'Threshold of Stardom.' Here is the 12-step path Yerin Ha took to reach global recognition:

  • 2018: Graduated from NIDA, immediately catching the eye of casting directors.
  • 2019: Made her professional stage debut in Lord of the Flies at the Sydney Theatre Company.
  • 2019: Secured a recurring role in the American-French TV series Reef Break.
  • 2020: Starred in the short film I’ve Gotta Have You, refining her on-camera presence.
  • 2021: Cast as a lead in the Stan original series Bad Behaviour.
  • 2021: Voice work for the podcast series The Orchard.
  • 2022: Global breakout as Kwan Ha in the live-action Halo series on Paramount+.
  • 2022: Appeared in the TV series Troppo, expanding her Australian portfolio.
  • 2023: Filmed the independent feature Sissy, showcasing her range in horror-comedy.
  • 2024: Cast in the highly anticipated HBO series Dune: Prophecy.
  • 2024: Officially announced as Sophie Baek for Bridgerton Season 4.
  • 2025: Set to begin global press tours as the lead of the world’s biggest romance franchise.

Psychologically, Yerin exhibits 'Mastery resilience.' Instead of chasing fame, she chased difficult roles in diverse genres, which solidified her internal confidence before the external hype arrived. This prevents the 'imposter syndrome' often seen in sudden breakouts.

Joining the Bridgerton Cast as Sophie Baek

When Netflix announced that Benedict Bridgerton would finally lead Season 4, the search for his 'Lady in Silver' became the biggest casting mystery in Hollywood. Yerin Ha winning the role of Sophie Baek is a cultural reset for the series.

  • Name Change Significance: Changing the character’s surname from Beckett to Baek honors Yerin's Korean heritage, a move praised for authentic representation.
  • The Chemistry Test: Sources from the set indicate an immediate 'magnetic pull' between Yerin and Luke Thompson during chemistry reads.
  • The Cinderella Arc: Sophie’s story is a reimagining of the Cinderella trope, requiring an actress who can play both vulnerability and fierce independence.
  • Global Impact: As the first East Asian lead in the Bridgerton universe, she is expanding the definition of the 'Regency Diamond.'

This role works because Yerin possesses 'The Gaze'—the ability to convey deep longing without saying a word. In the world of Bridgerton, where social rules are everything, her ability to project a rich internal world is exactly what the character of Sophie needs to navigate the Ton.

Complete Yerin Ha Filmography

For the completionists who want to see every frame of her work, here is the official breakdown of her film and television credits to date:

YearTitleRoleFormat
2019Reef BreakTechnie JaneTV Series
2019Lord of the FliesMauriceStage (STC)
2022TroppoAh RahTV Series
2022HaloKwan HaTV Series
2022Bad BehaviourAliceTV Miniseries
2023SissyTraceyFeature Film
2024Dune: ProphecyYounger KashaTV Series
2025BridgertonSophie BaekTV Series (Season 4)

Each of these projects reflects a specific strategic choice. From the high-budget sci-fi of Halo to the gritty drama of Bad Behaviour, she has avoided being pigeonholed. This versatility is her greatest asset as she enters the mainstream spotlight.

The Future of Yerin Ha: Why She Matters

Yerin Ha is more than just a talented actress; she is a symbol of the 'New Hollywood'—one that is global, multi-lingual, and deeply connected to ancestral roots while pushing forward into new frontiers.

Whether you’re here because you loved her in Halo or you’re ready to obsess over her chemistry with Benedict Bridgerton, one thing is certain: Yerin Ha is the new standard for the leading lady. Her journey from the stages of Sydney to the ballrooms of the Regency era proves that when talent meets heritage, the results are nothing short of magic.

Want to obsess over the latest Bridgerton Season 4 theories with your own virtual fan club? Head over to Squad Chat and let the gossip begin.

FAQ

1. Who is Yerin Ha and why is she famous?

Yerin Ha is a 29-year-old Korean-Australian actress born on June 26, 1995. She first gained international fame for her role as Kwan Ha in the Paramount+ sci-fi series Halo and has recently been cast as the lead role of Sophie Baek in Bridgerton Season 4.

2. Who plays Sophie Baek in Bridgerton?

Yerin Ha plays the character Sophie Baek in Bridgerton Season 4. In the book series by Julia Quinn, the character is named Sophie Beckett, but the show changed the surname to Baek to reflect Yerin’s Korean heritage.

3. Is Yerin Ha Korean or Australian?

Yerin Ha is Korean-Australian. She was born and raised in Sydney, Australia, but her parents are of Korean descent and she spent several years living and studying in South Korea as a teenager.

4. What was Yerin Ha's role in Halo?

In the Halo television series on Paramount+, Yerin Ha played Kwan Ha, an insurgent teenager from the planet Madrigal who becomes a pivotal figure in the conflict against the Covenant. This was her first major international breakthrough.

5. How old is Yerin Ha?

Yerin Ha was born on June 26, 1995, making her 29 years old as of late 2024. She is part of a young generation of Australian actors currently taking over major Hollywood productions.

6. When does Bridgerton Season 4 come out?

While Netflix has not announced an exact release date, Bridgerton Season 4 is expected to premiere in late 2025 or early 2026. Filming with Yerin Ha and Luke Thompson is currently underway.

7. Who is Yerin Ha's family?

Yerin Ha comes from a very artistic family. Her parents both studied drama, and her grandmother is Sook-hee Son, a highly respected and famous actress in South Korea.

8. Where did Yerin Ha go to drama school?

Yerin Ha attended the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in Sydney, Australia. She graduated in 2018, following in the footsteps of famous alumni like Cate Blanchett and Mel Gibson.

9. Is Sophie Baek in the Bridgerton books?

Yes, Sophie Baek (originally Sophie Beckett) is the central female character in the third Bridgerton book, 'An Offer from a Gentleman.' She is the love interest of Benedict Bridgerton.

10. What is Yerin Ha's height?

Yerin Ha’s height is approximately 159 cm, which is about 5 feet 3 inches. This creates a classic height dynamic with her 6-foot tall co-star, Luke Thompson.

References

netflix.comYerin Ha and Luke Thompson Interview

en.wikipedia.orgYerin Ha - Wikipedia

elle.comWho Is Yerin Ha? - All About Bridgerton's Sophie Baek