Ha Ji-won Opens Up About Becoming a College Freshman Again for New Campus Project

Actress Ha Ji-won, who marks her 30th debut anniversary in 2026, has enrolled as a college freshman for a new web variety project and shared how campus life is helping her rediscover youth, challenge old fears, and heal. Speaking during an interview related to ENA’s drama ‘Climax’ on April 6 Ha Ji-won said the experience has allowed her to reconnect with a side of youth she never fully got to live through in her early twenties. But this particular story drew attention as it sparked confusion and laughter.

Ha Ji-won says she missed out on ordinary campus romance in her 20s

The veteran star recently enrolled in a culinary and food-related department at Kyung Hee University’s College of Hotel and Tourism as part of a new solo web variety project, becoming what she described as a member of the Class of 2026. Ha Ji-won explained that when she was 20, she was focused almost entirely on becoming an actor, leaving little room for the kinds of carefree experiences many people associate with college life.

She said she never really got to enjoy the ordinary “romance” of youth things like joining clubs, playing in a band, or simply growing alongside classmates in a campus setting. That sense of missed experience stayed with her over the years, eventually becoming part of what motivated her to take on the project. She added that she has long been curious about how today’s Gen Z students live, what kind of dreams they have, and how they see the world. Wanting to understand them more deeply and communicate with them in a genuine way, she decided to enter college life herself.

Ha Ji-won overcame a bird-related trauma to break down a whole chicken

One of the most striking stories from her college experience involved a practical cooking assignment requiring students to break down a whole chicken. Ha Ji-won revealed that she has long suffered from a severe fear of birds stemming from childhood trauma. According to her, she cannot even comfortably touch raw chicken, let alone interact with live birds. Still, during what she described as a “one person, one chicken” project, she found herself surrounded by younger classmates and seniors working hard and sweating through the same assignment. Seeing their effort made her feel she could not complain or hold back. In the end, she said, she personally handled the chicken and even took on the role of chef during the project. Though the task initially felt overwhelming, she admitted that once she got into it, the experience had an oddly immersive and even enjoyable side.

Being cared for by younger seniors has become a form of healing

For Ha Ji-won, one of the most meaningful parts of returning to school has been the emotional shift that comes with no longer being the person everyone depends on. At this point in her career, even many staff members on set are younger than she is. But at school, she is the one being guided. She said there is something deeply healing about being looked after by younger seniors who kindly explain things to her step by step.

Ha Ji-won described those moments as emotionally moving, saying they make her feel as though she has stepped into a time machine and met her 20 year old self again. She also shared that the bright, playful energy of her younger classmates has helped her recover from the intense emotional labor and pain she experienced while working on ‘Climax.’ Their spontaneity and youthful spirit, she said, have become a healthy source of healing.

Editor’s insight

As she marks three decades in the entertainment industry, Ha Ji-won appears to be entering a different kind of peak one defined not only by career longevity, but by curiosity, reinvention, and a renewed connection to life outside the set. For an actress who has spent 30 years commanding the screen, Ha Ji-won’s latest transformation may be one of her most quietly meaningful yet.