Korean-Australian actress Ha Ye-rin stars in Paramount+’s new science fiction series “Halo,” where she is turning heads with her striking cropped hairstyle.
The transformation for the US$90-million sci-fi series produced by Steven Spielberg startled even her. “I didn’t recognize myself,” she told the Chosun Ilbo last Saturday.
“I was relieved to see a different character. I made the transformation in just 10 minutes after an Italian stylist gave me the idea while filming in Hungary. It shows the traits of a warrior, while the old clothes reflect the repression the people on the planet suffer. The external transformation was a great help in finding the character.”
Paramount Global’s streaming platform is not yet in service in Korea, and the series has been shown through the local streaming service Tving since June 15.
Ha grew up in Sydney but attended Kaywon High School of Arts in Korea before going on to Sydney’s National Institute of Dramatic Art.
“I applied for the audition after a school friend messaged me about it while I was working on my graduation project” at NIDA, she said. “When I found out I had been cast, I thought I was dreaming.”
Acting runs in the family. Her maternal grandmother is veteran Korean actress Son Sook (78).
“When I was young, I used to watch my grandmother’s plays when I came to Korea. I thought it was amazing how my grandmother was able to make people laugh and cry. I think that’s why I chose to follow in her footsteps,” Ha said.
“When I told her I wanted to be an actress, she told me to give it a shot. She advised me that the path of an actor is really difficult and you’re constantly judged, so you have to be humble and be willing to accept new challenges. I try not to forget those words,” she added.
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