Wi Ha-joon

Biography:

Wi Ha-joon, born Wi Hyun-yi on August 5, 1991, is a South Korean actor known for his role as Hwang Jun-ho in the Netflix series Squid Game (2021–present). He has also appeared in films such as Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum (2018), Shark: The Beginning (2021), and Midnight (2021), as well as television series including Something in the Rain (2018), Romance Is a Bonus Book (2019), 18 Again (2020), Bad and Crazy (2021), Little Women (2022), The Worst of Evil (2023), and The Midnight Romance in Hagwon (2024). In recognition of his rising influence, he was named one of GQ Korea’s Men of the Year in 2022. He is represented by MSTeam Entertainment.

Born on Soando Island in South Jeolla Province, Wi was raised on his family’s abalone farm. He later attended Sungkyul University, where he studied theatre and film. Before launching his acting career, he completed his mandatory military service.

Wi made his acting debut in 2012 with the short film Peace in Them and took on minor roles in several films before landing his breakthrough role in the 2018 horror film Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum. That same year, he gained further recognition with a supporting role in the television series Something in the Rain.

In 2019, he starred in Romance Is a Bonus Book alongside Lee Jong-suk, Lee Na-young, and Jung Yoo-jin. The series was well received, and Wi’s performance earned him a nomination for Best New Actor – Television at the 55th Baeksang Arts Awards. In 2020, he portrayed a famous baseball player in the drama 18 Again, which was adapted from the American film 17 Again.

Wi gained international fame in 2021 through his role in Squid Game as a determined police officer searching for his missing brother. The show received critical acclaim, won multiple awards—including six Primetime Emmy Awards—and secured the Grand Prize at the 58th Baeksang Arts Awards. He is set to return as Hwang Jun-ho in the second season, scheduled for release in 2024.

Also in 2021, Wi showcased his versatility by playing a serial killer in the thriller Midnight and starring alongside Lee Dong-wook in the action series Bad and Crazy. In 2022, he appeared in the Netflix drama Little Women, which achieved high viewership ratings in South Korea.

In 2023, he took on a major role in the Disney+ crime thriller The Worst of Evil alongside Ji Chang-wook and Im Se-mi. He also joined the cast of the Netflix series Gyeongseong Creature, featuring Park Seo-joon, Han So-hee, Soo Hyun, Kim Hae-sook, and Jo Han-chul.

With a growing international fanbase and diverse roles in both film and television, Wi Ha-joon continues to establish himself as a leading actor in the South Korean entertainment industry.