If there is an adage that Yerin Ha resonates with, it is that life imitates art. Much like the fairy-tale retelling she has been recently cast in, she is propelled into exhilarating, uncharted territory after garnering the attention of an influential individual. Or well, in Ha’s case, the team behind Netflix’s hit Regency period drama, Bridgerton.
“The audition came up in your usual way. Well first, I was unemployed,” Ha states with a self-effacing laugh. We’re speaking at a ridiculously early hour, but she assures me with a bright smile that she’s a morning person. I spy grey-cast London skies through her window; a startling contrast to Ha’s spiritedness throughout our conversation. “I was in Korea with my mum at the time when my agent called me. I was in a supermarket and he said, ‘I have another tape for you. Do you know about Bridgerton?’ And I was like, ‘I think every normal human being knows about Bridgerton’,” she quips.
It is hardly a hyperbolic statement. Bridgerton became a smash hit upon release in 2020 and is one of the top 10 most popular shows of all time on Netflix. Season one drew 113,300,000 views within 91 days of the premiere. The most recent season three makes the list, too, holding strong at 106 million views. If there’s anything to be expected from each subsequent arc, it is this: a wildly passionate fanbase and the emergence of a new household name.
“So I sent in a tape. A couple of days after, I did a chemistry read on Zoom with my co-star, Luke [Thompson], which is the first time I met him. And then a few days later, I got the phone call,” Ha continues. “I was having breakfast with my mum in Gangnam and I stepped out to take the call because my agent told me that everyone was going to be on the call. That’s a good sign, mostly. I had an inkling that it would be positive news, but there was still some doubt. And then I was told I got the role and I started screaming. My mum came out crying because she could tell that I got it.”
As much as Ha’s casting story reads like Cinderella—the fable of which season four is based on, where Ha plays a servant whose life changes upon catching the eye of a nobleman—it’s safe to say that it’s not a serendipitous encounter or kismet that has landed her in these circumstances. The Korean-Australian actress has been honing her skills for years prior to Bridgerton, boasting an intriguing portfolio that includes Dune: Prophecy, the prequel to the critically acclaimed space opera trilogy, Dune, as well as Halo, the sci-fi TV hit derived from the iconic video game franchise of the same name.
“I think the moment I realised that acting was an actual job was when I saw my grandma do a one-woman show and I remember the audience crying. I was so moved by it and I recall thinking how it was such a cool and interesting career path,” Ha muses. It comes as no surprise that she cites her grandmother—revered South Korean actress, Son Sook—as a source of inspiration. “I knew I wanted to be an actress, then. I always say that my grandpa was the true thespian, though. He passed away two, three years ago and he would always remind me about the power of art and what it does. He was a true believer that art could change the world and he was always instilling that in me. And so I’ve always felt that being an actor was quite a responsible job in what it can do to change and connect people.”
Responsible is also perhaps the best way to describe Ha’s interpretation of Sophie Baek. She is devastatingly earnest when I ask about the preparation that came into embodying the Lady in Silver; a disguise Baek sports to conceal her true status as a maid. Music and books, Ha is quick to point out, are integral in helping her get into the right headspace for her character.
“Reading a lot actually helped me in terms of diving into a character that no one can really see. It ignites the imagination. As for the books I read to help with Sophie’s character,” she pauses, counting off her fingers, “I think I started with Longbourn by Jo Baker. It’s essentially the maid’s perspective of the Bennet family. Then I read The Body Keeps the Score. I also dived into works by Brené Brown. I looked into romance trope stories as well to figure out the obstacles these characters face and how they overcome them. I find that it helps me a lot more than watching television and feeling like I have to replicate something.”
The references that Ha gives are telling of what audiences are to expect from this season; a reminder that this is the Bridgerton writers’ first foray into a dynamic previously unexplored. Unlike the preceding leads, Ha is not portraying someone who belongs in the upper echelons of high society. The Body Keeps the Score explores how trauma impacts the mind and body, while Brené Brown is a researcher who pushes out books primarily centred on “courage, vulnerability and shame”. Bearing this in mind, it seems there is a significant amount of inner turmoil that Baek has to work through.
“I believe that there is a lot about Sophie that I understand and relate to. I love her wit, for one, but I also think she’s taught me so much. Despite her hard life where she feels betrayed by her father and has to work under Araminta…” Ha trails off, composing herself. There is an undeniable love and respect that Ha has for the character she plays, evident in the exacting language she uses to talk about Baek. As a journalist and loyal Bridgerton viewer, it is hard not to be charmed and reassured in equal measure. In the time it takes for her to find the right words, a thought rises forth: we are in good hands.
“It’s about the way she doesn’t really get paid, but still gets the job done. I have to acknowledge that in those days, if she didn’t, she’d be out in the streets. But there’s something about the air and energy Sophie has about her, which I admire. She leads with heart and kindness,” Ha elucidates after a thoughtful beat. “She handles obstacles with a kind of forgiveness that I am trying to learn. I don’t want to spoil too much, but it’s a big part of the later part of the season. Sophie has to learn to forgive herself to make room for love to exist. I’m excited for everyone to see that.”
On that note, I ask Ha for some parting words on what she wants viewers to glean from the upcoming season. Her response to this comes quicker than expected, brimming with the same sincerity and passion that I trust will shine through in her performance.
“I want them to feel warm and fuzzy inside, but I also want them to recognise that love takes work. Love is about action. Love is a word that encompasses a whole bunch of other things, too. If you believe in something, pursue it with all your heart and with no fear,” she notes. And with one last winning smile, she adds: “Be less passive. If you really want it, you will fight for it.”
Editor-in-chief Desmond Lim
Photography Peter Ash Lee
Styling Konca Aykan
Make-up Naoko Scintu; The Wall Group
Hair Dayaruci; The Wall Group
Manicure Rebecca Jade Wilson; The Wall Group
Executive producers David Bay and Helen Salin
Production assistant Cristian Glielmi
Tailor Helena Brodrick-Ward
Casting Jill Demling/Creative Casting Agency
Photographer’s assistants Barney Couch and Ezra Jolly
Stylist’s assistants Juli Molnar and Naomi Bagarin
Special thanks to Philip Colbert
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