Korean-American actress Hae-rin Ha, who has been cast as the lead in Netflix's 'Bridgerton' Season 4, shared candid insights about her experiences, including her relationship with her grandmother, actress Son Sook, her thoughts on filming intimate scenes, and addressing racial discrimination.
On October 4th, Hae-rin Ha attended a press conference for Netflix's 'Bridgerton 4' held at Community House Masil in Jung-gu, Seoul, where she discussed her role and experiences.
'Bridgerton' Season 4 follows the story of Benedict Bridgerton (played by Luke Thompson), a free spirit indifferent to marriage, who finds himself torn between the 'Lady in the Silver Dress' and Sophie Beck (played by Hae-rin Ha), a maid. Hae-rin Ha, known for her roles in Netflix's 'Survivors' and the drama 'Halo,' has garnered significant attention for her portrayal of Sophie.
Hae-rin Ha is also well-known as the granddaughter of actress Son Sook. Regarding her grandmother's reaction, she shared, "She didn't give me any special advice. It seems she watched 'Bridgerton' with fellow actors. Despite her poor eyesight, she sent me a message saying 'I'm proud of you, I love you,' which warmed my heart."
She added, "This morning, she mentioned seeing the intimate scenes and said she felt embarrassed. I thought she would skip those parts, but she watched them all, which surprised me," she laughed.
Hae-rin Ha's inspiration to pursue acting also came from her grandmother. "Watching her plays made me dream of becoming an actress. I vividly remember a scene where she cradled a pillow like a baby and cried during a one-person play," she recalled.
"Seeing the audience cry along made me realize the power of art. It showed me that human emotions are similar and that theater can provide comfort and empathy," she added.
Hae-rin Ha expressed, "Watching my grandmother on stage inspired me to believe that acting is a real possibility. I'm planning to see her play tomorrow. Although I'm leaving Korea on Friday, she insisted I come, so I will. It will feel different from before."
She continued, "I met her at another filming location this morning. Previously, I was known as 'Son Sook's granddaughter, Hae-rin,' but now she says she's 'Hae-rin's grandmother, Son Sook,' which makes me feel both bittersweet and happy."
Hae-rin Ha also shared her thoughts on filming intimate scenes in 'Bridgerton,' a series known for its bold romance and passionate scenes. "I had a lot of concerns and pressure," she admitted. "Like in Hollywood and other industries, I felt there is a gaze on women's bodies in society and media."
"There seems to be an atmosphere where people think they have the right to judge or criticize women's bodies on screen," she said. "This made me feel fear and pressure before filming."
Growing up in Korea also influenced her perception of beauty standards. "Every society has its standards, but I felt Korea's standards are stricter compared to the West," she noted. "During my time in Korea, my view of my body was influenced in a certain direction."
Hae-rin Ha emphasized the importance of a professional system on set. "Working with an intimacy coordinator was incredibly helpful. It's a crucial role in the industry," she explained. "They help ensure that both actors and staff feel safe during intimate scenes."
"They designed the scenes and did their best to make everyone on set feel comfortable and safe," she added. "Such an environment allows actors to deliver their best performances."
'Bridgerton' Season 4 drew attention with the casting of Hae-rin Ha, an Asian actress, as the female lead. However, some fans criticized the promotional material for underrepresenting her, questioning if it was racially motivated.
Hae-rin Ha addressed these comments, saying, "I saw those comments, but I never felt any racial discrimination or bias on set."
She acknowledged that there might have been some oversight in details but didn't believe it was intentional. "I understand why people reacted that way," she said. "These moments can be opportunities to understand and learn about those details. I hope such discussions don't lead to excessive criticism or hate."
Hae-rin Ha also noted the changing perception of Asian actors in Hollywood. "I definitely feel a change," she said. "The attitude towards actors of color has shifted." She particularly noticed an increase in audition opportunities, stating, "Even if it's not a lead role, there are more chances for Asian actors to audition for supporting or smaller roles."
Kim Se-a, TenAsia Reporter haesmik@tenasia.co.kr