Jung Hae-in facts


From melodramas to historical comedy, Jung Hae-in is a chameleon actor who boldly explores different genres and roles to expand his acting career. To help you get to know more about the dreamy yet dauntless actor, we’ve put together 10 Jung Hae-in facts, including his family, ancestry, and near-death experience in the army. 


1. He completed his military service in 2010


Jung Hae-in facts - he completed his military service in 2010
Image credit: @holyhaein

Fans of Jung Hae-in won’t have to go through two years of heartbreak while he serves in the military – the prolific actor did his military service when he was 21 years old. He enlisted in 2008 and was discharged in 2010.

Jung Hae-in shared that filming for D.P. felt as though he was back in the army. Additionally, according to an interview with the Korea Economic Daily, a Korean business daily newspaper, Jung Hae-in said that he did not put on makeup in D.P. This was because he wanted to portray a realistic image of a soldier.


2. He was cast on the street while eating ice cream


Jung Hae-in facts - he was cast on the street while eating ice cream
Image credit: @holyhaein

The street casting happened when Jung Hae-in was 18 years old. He was in the midst of eating ice cream when a casting agent spotted him

Street castings usually take place when a casting agent sees celebrity potential in someone based on their looks.

In fact, a casting director in New York wanted to cast Jung Hae-in after chancing upon the actor in New York. This happened during the filming of Jung Hae-in’s Travel Log in 2019, and the casting director said that Jung Hae-in had caught his eye.

You can watch his street casting here: 

배우 정해인, 뉴욕 길거리 캐스팅?! [정해인의 걸어보고서/Jung Hae Ins Documentary] 20191217
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배우 정해인, 뉴욕 길거리 캐스팅?! [정해인의 걸어보고서/Jung Hae Ins Documentary] 20191217

Video credit: KBS Entertain


3. He actually wanted to be a researcher 


Jung Hae-in facts - he actually wanted to be a researcher
Image credit: @holyhaein

Jung Hae-in originally aspired to become a researcher. He wanted to major in biotechnology, but his application wasn’t successful. Perhaps this was a blessing in disguise as he decided to major in broadcast media instead. 

At first, his parents were not receptive to his decision. However, they eventually gave in, and they are now his biggest supporters. 


4. Both of his parents are doctors


Jung Hae-in facts - out on a date with his mother
Jung Hae-in on a date with his mother
Image credit: @holyhaein

Jung Hae-in was interested in biotechnology because he was greatly influenced by his parents, who are both doctors. 

His mother is a doctor in the pathology department, while his father is an ophthalmologist at a hospital in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province.

Jung Hae-in has a brother who is seven years younger than him. They even made a special appearance on MBC’s Hangout With Yoo during their trip to Jeju Island in 2019. 


5. He had a near-death experience in the army


Jung Hae-in facts - he had a near-death experience in the army
Image credit: @holyhaein

During V Live’s Actor and Chatter in 2019, Jung Hae-in shared a personal story about how he almost died in the army.

While serving in the military, his role was to drive. One rainy day, he was driving from Daejeon to Seoul. The car broke down in the middle of the highway, and he tried to park the car on the side of the road for safety reasons.

As he started the car and began to turn the wheel, he saw huge vehicles driving towards him. If his car had collided with the vehicles, he might have gotten into a critical car accident. Jung Hae-in added that he thought he was going to die then, and it was the first time he experienced his life flashing before his eyes.

After he returned to the military base, he was reminded of his late grandfather. He believes that his grandfather was the one who protected him from danger that rainy day.


6. He had to smoke for a role in a film 


Jung Hae-in facts - he had to smoke for a role in a film
Image credit: @holyhaein

During an interview with The Sports Chosun, a sports and entertainment Korean newspaper, Jung Hae-in shared that the smoking scenes for the film Start-Up (2019) was challenging as he is a non-smoker. 

He also said that there was a time when he had to work on Start-Up right after filming One Spring Night overnight. As he had to film a smoking scene on a rooftop without getting any sleep, this caused him to feel dizzy. 


7. He is the third great-grandson of Jung Yak-yong


Jung Hae-in facts - he is the third great-grandson of jung yak-yong
Image credit: @holyhaein

Jung Hae-in’s third great-grandfather is Jung Yak-yong, a Joseon Dynasty poet who wrote books on science and philosophy. Considering that Jung Hae-in’s parents are doctors, and his third great-grandfather was adept at science, we can surmise that science runs in his family’s blood.


8. He is known for charitable deeds 


Jung Hae-in facts - he is known for charitable deeds
Image credit: @holyhaein

Fans of Jung Hae-in know that he is not just beautiful on the outside, but also on the inside. He is known to have participated in various charity campaigns, such as the Fruit of Love campaign in 2020. 

Despite his busy schedule, Jung Hae-in carved out time to narrate the Fruit of Love campaign video, which tells five different stories ranging from the mental health of the elderly to education on plastic waste. Also, he donated his entire appearance fee to the Fruit of Love campaign.

His acts of service extends to his personal life – he once gifted a car to his manager, who has worked by his side for six years.

You can watch the campaign video narrated by Jung Hae-in here: 

[미혼모 편] 아기와의 행복한 미래를 그려갑니다 l JTBC와 사랑의 열매가 함께 합니다
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[미혼모 편] 아기와의 행복한 미래를 그려갑니다 l JTBC와 사랑의 열매가 함께 합니다

Video credit: JTBC Entertainment


9. He is good at singing too


Jung Hae-in facts - jung hae-in with singer paul kim
Jung Hae-in with singer Paul Kim
Image credit: @holyhaein

Jung Hae-in is truly a jack of all trades as he is not just good at acting, but singing as well. Thanks to his soothing voice, Jung Hae-in has had the opportunity to collaborate with famous singers such as Paul Kim and AKMU’s Lee Su-hyun.

You can watch him sing with AKMU’s Lee Su-hyun in Begin Again here: 

[DJ티비씨] 수현(Suhyun)X정해인(JungHaeIn) - 너의 의미 ♬ #비긴어게인3 #DJ티비씨
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[DJ티비씨] 수현(Suhyun)X정해인(JungHaeIn) - 너의 의미 ♬ #비긴어게인3 #DJ티비씨

Video credit: DJ티비씨


10. He is a huge foodie


Jung Hae-in facts - he is huge foodie
Image credit: @holyhaein

Although the actor maintains a lean figure with solid abs, Jung Hae-in is actually known to be a huge foodie who loves bingeing on bread and meat. During the filming of Jung Hae-in’s Travel Log in 2019, he visited Shake Shack and ate three burgers in one sitting!

You can watch his burger mukbang here.


Jung Hae-in facts to know about the D.P. heartthrob


These 10 facts are insufficient to make a judgement of who Jung Hae-in is, but it’s a great start to get to know more about the actor on a more personal level. Besides the military drama D.P., he has also played key roles in Something in the Rain, Prison Playbook, Tune in for Love, and The King’s Case Note – go give them a watch when you have time!

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Cover image adapted from: @holyhaein and @holyhaein

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