You know that feeling when you're watching a K-drama and a character pops up who feels way too much like someone you actually know? That's the Han Ji Eun effect. She isn't just "acting" a part; she's usually that messy, stressed-out, or hilariously blunt person we’ve all been at 2:00 AM.
If you've been scouring the web for a list of Han Ji Eun movies and TV shows, you probably realized she’s been everywhere lately. From fighting zombies in the Joseon era to playing a single mom trying to survive the corporate grind, her range is kind of ridiculous. But it took her a while to get here. We aren't talking about an overnight success story.
The Breakout: When Everyone Finally Noticed
Honestly, it’s hard to talk about Han Ji Eun without starting with Be Melodramatic (2019). Before this, she was doing solid work in the background, but this was the "Oh, that's who she is" moment.
She played Hwang Han-joo, a single mother and a marketing executive. Most dramas treat single moms as tragic figures or saints. Han-joo was just... tired. She was a woman trying to balance a chaotic job where she had to beg directors for product placement while raising a kid on her own. There’s this iconic scene where a director tells her to "smile more" to get what she wants. Instead of a tearful monologue, she goes full malicious compliance and gives him the most terrifying, over-the-top "cute" smile ever. It was funny, uncomfortable, and deeply relatable.
Why It Worked
- The Chemistry: She didn't just have chemistry with the male leads; her bond with Chun Woo-hee and Jeon Yeo-bin felt like a real-life group chat.
- The Vulnerability: She played the "pushover" character without making her look weak. You rooted for her because she was doing it all for her son.
Shifting Gears: Action, Thrillers, and Cops
After the success of Be Melodramatic, she didn't just stick to the "relatable girl" trope. She pivoted. Fast.
✨ Don't miss: Cuba Gooding Jr OJ: Why the Performance Everyone Hated Was Actually Genius
In Bad and Crazy (2021), she stepped into the shoes of Lee Hui-gyeom. She wasn't the damsel; she was a detective in the narcotics unit. Seeing her trade in the office blazers for tactical gear and high-kicking criminals alongside Lee Dong-wook and Wi Ha-joon was a total curveball. Some fans felt her character was a bit underutilized in the second half—which, let's be real, happened because the "buddy cop" dynamic between the two male leads took over—but she still brought a grounded energy to a show that was otherwise pretty unhinged.
Then there’s her film work. If you're a horror or period-piece buff, you’ve likely seen her in Rampant (2018). She played Royal Noble Consort Gyeong. It’s a zombie movie set in the Joseon dynasty, so things get messy fast. It's a stark contrast to her modern roles, showing she can handle the gravity of historical "sageuk" settings just as well as a contemporary rom-com.
The 2024-2025 Surge: Space and Study Groups
Fast forward to the last couple of years, and her schedule has been packed. Two projects in particular have kept her name at the top of the search results for Han Ji Eun movies and TV shows.
When the Stars Gossip (2025)
This was a massive 50-billion-won production. Han Ji Eun played Choi Go-eun, a chaebol heiress and the fiancée of Lee Min-ho’s character. While the show's ratings were a bit of a rollercoaster (staying mostly in the 1-2% range according to Nielsen Korea), Ji Eun’s performance was a standout. She took a character that could have been a "spoiled rich girl" stereotype and gave her some actual skin in the game. It’s hard to stand out in a space-themed rom-com, but she did it.
🔗 Read more: Greatest Rock and Roll Singers of All Time: Why the Legends Still Own the Mic
Study Group (2025)
This one was a hit on TVING. Based on a popular webtoon, she played Lee Han-kyeong, a temporary teacher at a tough vocational school. She’s the only one who believes the main character (played by Hwang Min-hyun) can actually make it to university. It’s a classic underdog story, but her "don't give up" attitude felt authentic because she’s mentioned in interviews how much she relates to that dogged persistence.
Breaking Down the Filmography
If you’re looking for a watchlist, don't just stick to the big hits. Here’s a look at how she’s moved through the industry:
The Early Days (The "Hustle" Phase)
She debuted back in 2010 with the film Ghost. She spent years taking small roles in big projects like Miss Granny (2014) and The Royal Tailor (2014). Most people forget she was in 100 Days My Prince (2018) as Ae-weol. It was a supporting role, but it paved the way for her lead-role era.
The "Serial Dater" Era
In Lovestruck in the City (2020), she played Oh Seon-yeong. This character was a trip. She described herself as a "serial dater" and was a high school PE teacher. She was blunt, slightly cynical about love, and completely different from the soft-spoken Han-joo from Be Melodramatic. It showed she could do "cool" and "unbothered" just as well as "stressed and sweet."
💡 You might also like: Ted Nugent State of Shock: Why This 1979 Album Divides Fans Today
Recent Awards and Wins
Just recently, in December 2025, she won Best Supporting Actress at the Seoul International Film Awards for her role in Hitman 2. She played Jeon Hae-in, an art museum director with some dark secrets. The critics loved her "femme fatale" turn—proving she can do villainy (or at least morally grey) just as well as heroics.
What Most People Get Wrong About Her
A common misconception is that Han Ji Eun is "new" to the scene because her lead roles started appearing more frequently around 2019. In reality, she’s been a working actress for over 15 years.
She also doesn't just stick to the screen. In 2025, she returned to the theater for a play called Anna X, based on the story of the fake heiress Anna Sorokin. She’s gone on record saying that when she feels "stagnant" in TV roles, she goes back to the stage to sharpen her tools. That’s why her performances feel so nuanced; she isn't just relying on "K-drama tropes"—she’s constantly studying the craft.
Looking Ahead: What's Next?
As we head deeper into 2026, keep an eye out for her upcoming film Intern. She’s also exploring more international collaborations, like the Korea-Japan joint drama First Love DOGS.
If you're just starting your journey into Han Ji Eun movies and TV shows, here is how I'd suggest you watch them to really appreciate her evolution:
- Be Melodramatic – Start here to see her heart.
- Lovestruck in the City – Watch this for her edge and comedic timing.
- Bad and Crazy – For the action fans who want to see her kick some butt.
- Study Group – To see her latest "mentor" energy.
- Hitman 2 – To see her award-winning turn as a mysterious director.
The best way to keep up is to follow her on Instagram, but honestly, just keeping a tab on TVING and tvN's release schedules is usually enough. She’s at that point in her career where she’s choosing projects that challenge her, so whatever she does next probably won't be what you expect.