Australian actress Yerin Ha has captured global attention with her casting as Sophie Baek in the highly anticipated fourth season of Netflix's period drama Bridgerton. The 28-year-old star, born on 16 January 1998 in Sydney, brings a fresh multicultural perspective to the Regency-era romance, stepping into the lead female role opposite Luke Thompson's Benedict Bridgerton.
A Heritage Steeped in Performance
Yerin Ha's journey into acting was almost predestined, growing up in a family deeply connected to the performing arts. Her grandmother is the esteemed South Korean actress and radio personality Son Sook, while both her parents met at drama school, creating an environment where creativity flourished from an early age. Recognising her passion for performance as a child, Yerin faced the reality of limited opportunities for Asian actors in Australia during her formative years.
International Training and Education
This realisation prompted a bold move at just fifteen years old, when Yerin relocated to Seoul to train at the prestigious Kaywon High School of Arts. This immersive experience in South Korea's artistic community provided crucial foundational training before she returned to Australia to pursue formal acting education. She enrolled at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), graduating in 2018 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, thus completing a truly international artistic education that bridges Eastern and Western theatrical traditions.
The Bridgerton Breakthrough
Yerin Ha's casting as Sophie Baek represents a significant milestone in her career, catapulting her to international recognition. The character, inspired by Julia Quinn's novel An Offer From a Gentleman, follows a Cinderella-inspired narrative arc, navigating complex class divides and emotional depth within the opulent world of the ton. Notably, the creative team made a meaningful adaptation by renaming the character from the book's Sophie Beckett to Sophie Baek, a deliberate nod to Yerin's Korean heritage that she has described as personally empowering.
On-Set Chemistry and Support
During promotional appearances, Yerin has spoken warmly about the supportive atmosphere on the Bridgerton set, particularly highlighting the strong rapport and chemistry developed with co-star Luke Thompson during their scenes together. This professional harmony has undoubtedly contributed to the authenticity of their on-screen romance, which forms a central pillar of the upcoming season's narrative.
Building a Diverse Career Portfolio
Prior to her Bridgerton breakthrough, Yerin Ha meticulously built a varied acting portfolio demonstrating her range and versatility. Her television credits include Netflix's The Survivors, the Australian drama series Bad Behaviour, and her television debut in Reef Break. On stage, she delivered a memorable performance in the Sydney Theatre Company's 2019 production of Lord of the Flies. Her talent was formally recognised in 2021 when the Casting Guild of Australia named her a 'Rising Star', signalling industry acknowledgment of her growing prominence.
Social Media Presence and Personal Boundaries
Yerin maintains an active public Instagram account under the handle @yerinha_, where she shares curated glimpses into her professional life including premiere events, press engagements, behind-the-scenes moments, fashion features, and personal highlights. However, she maintains no widely confirmed presence on Twitter/X or Facebook platforms. Notably, Yerin Ha guards her personal life with considerable privacy, rarely discussing romantic relationships or dating matters in interviews. She focuses public commentary primarily on her family's influence, particularly her grandmother and parents' roles in shaping her artistic journey, with no confirmed partners or personal relationships publicly documented.
As Bridgerton Season 4 prepares to introduce audiences to Sophie Baek's story, Yerin Ha stands poised at the threshold of global stardom, bringing a unique multicultural background, rigorous training, and compelling screen presence to one of television's most beloved romantic franchises.
