Born and raised in Sydney, the actress will play Sophie Beckett, the love interest of Benedict Bridgerton, in the next season which is due in 2026

Netflix’s hit show Bridgerton has been sweeping global audiences off their feet since it first graced our screens in December 2020. After the thrilling conclusion of season three in June this year, fans are eagerly awaiting season four, set to screen in 2026.

In Bridgerton’s season four, Yerin Ha will play the role of Sophie Beckett from the book. Photo: @yerinha_/Instagram

The fourth season will be based on Julia Quinn’s third book in the series, An Offer From A Gentleman. The season will zoom in on the romance between the second Bridgerton son, Benedict, and Regent Cinderella Sophie Beckett. Forced to serve her stepmother and two stepsisters, Beckett’s life takes a whimsical turn at a grand ball.

And now, flashing lights point to a new star in the spotlight. Per Vanity Fair, the role of Sophie Beckett will be portrayed by none other than Yerin Ha – and renamed Sophie Baek to reflect the actress’ heritage. But who is she, and what makes her so special?

She is a Korean-Australian nepo baby

Yerin Ha in a hanbok, which is traditional South Korean attire. Photo: @yerinha_/Instagram

Born and raised in Sydney, Yerin Ha is a Korean-Australian who comes from a family well known in the arts. In a 2019 interview with Vogue Australia, Ha shared that her grandmother, the renowned stage actress Son Sook, and her parents – who met in acting school – shaped her passion for performance.

“So I’ve always grown up with this knowledge of what theatre and screen are, so that’s something I was always interested in,” she said in the interview.

Acting is in Yerin Ha’s genes. Photo: @yerinha_/Instagram

Ha recounts the invaluable advice her grandmother imparted: “Be brave, be courageous and stand up for what you believe in. And don’t be afraid to look ugly!”

Her politician-actress grandma faced bribery accusations

Yerin Ha (left) and her actress grandmother Son Sook (front), an actress and ex-politician. Photo: @yerinha_/Instagram

Ha’s grandmother Son Sook is a noteworthy figure in more ways than one. Not only was she an accomplished actress, but she also made waves in politics. She was a member of the Women’s Special Committee and a non-standing director of the Arts Council in 1998, as well as a co-representative of the Environmental Movement Coalition and the sixth Minister of Environment in 1999.

Yerin Ha’s actress grandmother Son Sook left politics after allegations of bribery. Photo: @amatteroftiming/X

Despite her accomplishments, controversies arose regarding a monetary gift of US$20,000 she received from the National Federation of Entrepreneurs after a successful theatre performance in Moscow. The gift was perceived as problematic due to regulations that limit officials to accepting donations of much less. Despite Son Sook offering an explanation for the incident, the situation eventually led to her resignation amid bribery allegations.

She studied acting in a Korean high school

Yerin Ha moved to Seoul when she was 15 to study acting. Photo: @yerinha_/Instagram

With a family legacy of performance, it’s no surprise that Ha pursued her dreams fervently. At just 15, she moved from Sydney to Seoul to attend Kaywon Performing Arts High School. There, she endured “three years of intense training, from 7am to 12am most days,” per Vogue Australia.

She then returned to Sydney to get a degree in acting from the National Institute of Dramatic Art, majoring in musical theatre and graduating in 2018, per the school’s website.

She has voiced her support for other Asian actors

Yerin Ha credits Crazy Rich Asians with shaking up Hollywood. Photo: @yerinha_/Instagram

Beyond her on-screen pursuits, Ha champions diversity in the entertainment industry. In her conversation with Vogue Australia, she expressed her hope for a future where diversity is the norm, not the exception, saying: “Hopefully there’s a time where we can actually see people of multiple backgrounds playing the girlfriend, the romantic lead … Audiences are still not used to seeing that amount of diversity on screen or stage.”

She also feels doing film and TV gives her the opportunity to have a bigger impact: “I feel like it hits a bigger platform and a bigger message … it really starts to bubble conversation and through conversation change can slowly be made,” she added.

Yerin Ha aims to make diversity the norm. Photo: @yerinha/Instagram

In a 2022 interview with The Gamer, Ha expressed excitement that “the industry is really changing”.

It really started with Crazy Rich Asians, and I’m going to bring it back there because I feel like that really shook Hollywood up,” she continued.