Honestly, if you've been watching K-dramas for a while, you probably recognized her face long before you knew her name. Ryu Han Bi is one of those actresses who basically grew up on our screens. She started as a child star, the kind who always plays the "younger version" of the lead actress, and she was so good at it that she eventually started stealing the spotlight herself.
She was born in 2004, which makes her part of that powerhouse generation of young actors transitioning into adult roles right now. Most people first really noticed her in the 2018 tear-jerker Come and Hug Me. She played the young Gil Nak-won, and man, that role was heavy. She had to navigate the trauma of a family tragedy while maintaining this pure, flickering hope. It wasn't just "cute kid" acting; it was raw. She actually won the Best Young Actress award at the MBC Drama Awards for that specific performance.
The Pivot to Global Streaming: XO, Kitty and Beyond
For a few years, things seemed a bit quiet on the domestic front, but then 2023 happened. Netflix’s XO, Kitty dropped, and suddenly Ryu Han Bi was introduced to a massive international audience. She played Eunice. It was a supporting role, sure, but it proved she could handle an English-language production and a different vibe entirely from the melos she did as a kid.
The interesting thing about Ryu Han Bi movies and tv shows is the sheer variety. She doesn’t stay in one lane. You’ll find her in period pieces, medical dramas, and then suddenly in a wacky comedy.
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A Quick Look at the Filmography (The Good Stuff)
If you're trying to binge her work, here is the breakdown of where she’s popped up over the years. No fluff, just the facts.
- Cheer Up, Mr. Lee (2019): She played Min-jeong here. It’s a comedy-drama film that really shows off her timing. Working alongside seasoned actors like Cha Seung-won isn't easy, but she held her own.
- The Sound of a Flower (2015): This was early days. She had a small role as a child in the Unhyeon Palace. It's a gorgeous movie if you like historical settings (Sageuk).
- Argon (2017): She played Kim Seo-woo, the daughter of the main character (played by the late, great Kim Joo-hyuk). It was a grounded, realistic newsroom drama.
- Live Up to Your Name (2017): Another "younger version" role, playing the child version of Kim Ah-joong’s character.
- Entourage (2016): She played Kim Yoo-bin. This was the Korean remake of the HBO series. It was... experimental, let's put it that way.
Why She’s Different From Other Child Stars
A lot of child actors burn out. Or they get stuck in that "innocent" image forever. Ryu Han Bi seems to be dodging that trap. She has this specific look—sharp but expressive—that allows her to play characters who are a bit more complex or even slightly "mean girl" (like the vibes in some of her later work) without losing the audience's empathy.
In XO, Kitty, she had to blend into an American-style teen dramedy. That requires a different kind of energy than the slow-burn emotional pacing of a standard K-drama. She pulled it off. It makes you wonder if she's going to aim for more Hollywood-adjacent projects or stick to the Seoul scene.
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The "Come and Hug Me" Impact
We have to talk about the 2018 period again because that’s the foundation. In Come and Hug Me, she worked with Nam Da-reum (another legendary child actor). Their chemistry as the younger leads was so strong that some viewers actually found it hard to transition to the adult actors. That's a huge compliment.
She had to portray a girl whose parents were murdered by her boyfriend's father. I mean, talk about a dark "first love" story. The way she played those scenes—the fear, the lingering affection, the confusion—was way beyond her years.
What’s Next for Ryu Han Bi?
As we move through 2026, the industry is watching her closely. She’s at that age where the "child actor" label is officially gone. She’s a leading lady in the making.
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We’ve seen her name linked to several upcoming web series and supporting roles in major films. The trend for her seems to be quality over quantity. She isn't doing five dramas a year; she's picking roles that show a different side of her. Whether it’s a gritty thriller or another high-school rom-com, she’s proved she has the range.
If you want to follow her career properly, the best move is to start with Come and Hug Me for the acting chops and then jump to XO, Kitty to see her modern, global appeal.
Your Next Steps:
Keep an eye on Netflix's upcoming Korean original slate for late 2026. Given her successful stint in the "To All the Boys" universe, it's highly likely she’ll be tapped for more cross-border projects. If you haven't seen her award-winning turn in the 2018 MBC awards clips, they are worth a search just to see her genuine reaction to winning—it's a rare "real" moment in the industry.