From an abalone farm to global stardom with Squid Game
In short: Before becoming a household name in international thrillers, Wi Ha-joon was growing up on his family's abalone farm on Soando island. His journey from a theatre and film student to a Netflix sensation highlights the dramatic rise of South Korean talent in the global spotlight.
Raised on a family abalone farm on Soando island, Wanju County, South Jeolla Province, Wi Hyun-yi was born on August 5, 1991. After completing his military service, he pursued formal training at Sungkyul University, majoring in theatre and film, before making his professional acting debut in 2012 with the short film Peace in Them.
Wi's career trajectory saw a significant shift in 2018 when he transitioned from small film appearances to more prominent roles, such as in the film Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum and the television series Something in the Rain. His performance in the 2019 drama Romance Is a Bonus Book earned him a Best New Actor - Television nod at the 55th Baeksang Arts Awards.
The actor achieved massive international recognition in 2021 through the Netflix series Squid Game. Portraying the police officer Hwang Jun-ho, a character searching for his missing brother, Wi became part of a cast that helped the show secure six Primetime Emmy Awards. He has continued this role through subsequent seasons in 2024 and 2025. His versatility is evident in his diverse filmography, ranging from the serial killer in the thriller Midnight to his role in the Disney+ series The Worst of Evil in 2023.
In 2022, GQ Korea included Wi among its Men of the Year, acknowledging his significant industry influence. Beyond his acting, he has served as a public relations ambassador for Soan-myeon since 2022.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Wi Ha-joon
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/culture-wi-ha-joon.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Festivals & celebrations · More in Cultures · Latest · A–Z · All topics
