Actor Yerin Ha, the leading lady of Netflix’s “Bridgerton” (2020-) Season 4, spoke out about recent online allegations of racism by Spanish media, saying that she did not personally experience discrimination. The Korean-Australian actor, however, expressed hope that the controversy could serve as a moment for a "learning curve" rather than an opportunity to be hateful.

“What's really interesting is that I never [took an] attack or racist remark toward me personally,” Ha said during a news conference held in central Seoul on Wednesday.


“I do think there were specific details that may have been overlooked, and I don't think it was by intention or by conscious choice, so I never felt it personally. But, looking back and seeing the comments, I can possibly understand why people might think that way.”

The controversy arose online after the Spanish promotional tour in February, when fans expressed discomfort with how the Spanish media treated Ha, including some photos, posted by Netflix Spain, of her at the far edge of a group shot with co-stars Luke Thompson and Hannah Dodd, despite her being the lead, and her name was misspelled as “Yern Ha.” Some fans called it “intentional disrespect.”

Ha acknowledged how the situation could be perceived but urged a more constructive response.

“It could be a learning curve for different outlets to potentially pay more attention because I think it is important to respect the leads, but also it is just about [...] that specificity and that attention to detail that can be overlooked at times. It is something that I've had to work on a lot in my career personally. I just think we can all learn from the situation rather than condemning or going the route of hatred.”

The Sydney-born 28-year-old plays Sophie Baek in the latest installment of Netflix’s “Bridgerton,” a maid who falls in love with Benedict Bridgerton, the free-spirited second son of the Bridgerton house, portrayed by Thompson. Now streaming on Netflix, based on Julia Quinn’s novel, the fourth season follows the love story of Benedict and Sophie, whose love is hindered by their social class difference.

The casting of a Korean actor in a lead role also sparked interest in Korea, as audiences were eager to see Asian representation in a widely popular series. Ha showed strong determination, as well as vulnerability, noting that she often grapples with impostor syndrome.

“I do feel like sometimes I've gotten here because of luck,” she said, adding that she does notice some changes in Hollywood regarding Asian inclusivity.

“There are days when I wonder when my luck will run out, but the fact that I'm here and I do feel like there is responsibility — I take that [...] very seriously. There is still [...] progress to be had in Hollywood in terms of Asian representation, and I am more than happy to be at the forefront of it and to keep pushing for change, even if it's uncomfortable, to create space and opportunities for the people that are to come.”

The show is known for its intimate scenes, which Ha shared gave her a great amount of pressure to perform. Part of her concern came from the media’s scrutiny of the female body, and some was from her upbringing in Korea, where beauty standards are considered high.

“Everyone feels like they have the right to talk about female bodies in spaces and in projects, and it's always judged and always picked apart,” said Ha.

“I was initially very scared about doing nudity scenes more because of that, and also because of my training in Korea. I think the beauty standards here are very different from the Western standards as well. Growing up and doing my final teenage years in Korea, I think, informed a very specific mindset of how I view myself and my body.”

However, she said she was able to comfortably shoot such scenes with the help of her intimacy coordinator, Lizzy Talbot, who created a safe space for her.

Her grandmother, Son Suk, is also a veteran actor in Korea, who appeared in numerous Korean series, including Netflix’s “The Glory” (2022-23). Ha said Son was the person who inspired her to pursue acting. She also shared her grandmother’s reaction to the show, including the intimate scenes.

“When she texted me that she was proud of me and loved me, it just warmed my heart,” she said.

She added, “This morning, she told me she saw the intimate scenes and felt a bit embarrassed. I thought she’d skip over it, but she said she actually watched the whole thing.”

One of the biggest questions for viewers at the end of a season is whether the couple will return in the next season, as was the case with the couples for Anthony and Colin Bridgerton in the latest season. Ha slightly teased the possibility, saying, “Because now she’s part of the Bridgerton family, I think we’ll be able to see her in the next season.”

When asked, as Ha herself rather than Sophie, which Bridgerton sibling she would choose to dance with, she shared her picks.

“It’s a boring answer,” she said. “But I do say Benedict. I think we’re pretty similar in terms of the artistic side, and out of all the siblings, I think I’ll connect most with the one who jokes around the most.”

When excluding Benedict, she cited Anthony as her choice, saying, “I really admire how he takes responsibility and protects his family.”

BY KIM JI-YE [kim.jiye@joongang.co.kr]