Even after 28 years in showbiz, actress Ha Ji-won—best known for her roles in Secret Garden and Empress Ki—still looks like she’s barely aged a day. And no, her secret isn’t just about eating healthy.
While she does pay attention to what goes on her plate, her age-defying glow is the result of a series of mindful daily habits—from clever ingredient swaps and at-home remedies to long-standing rituals she’s kept up for over a decade.
Her routine blends simplicity with consistency, and it’s this quiet discipline that seems to keep her youthful both on and off screen.
She Focuses On a Low-Sodium Diet
Ha Ji-won minimises processed seasoning and focuses on food’s natural flavours. She believes this reduces stress on the body and promotes metabolism. Her meals are always balanced with vegetables, protein, and carbohydrates.
She avoids extreme dieting, choosing instead high-quality proteins like chicken breast and fish for a nutrient-rich and satisfying meal.
She Prefers Whole Unprocessed Foods
Ha Ji-won often replaces traditional high-salt kimchi with plain cabbage and swaps out refined white rice for brown rice, favouring a cleaner, lighter approach to eating. This not only helps reduce bloating but also allows her to enjoy the natural flavours of whole ingredients.
Interestingly, she’s not one to shy away from richness either. On the cooking variety show Please Take Care of My Refrigerator, she shared that she uses cheese in almost all her dishes—from salads to rice bowls.
She even likes to finish her rice with a drizzle of olive oil and Italian herbs like dill, arugula and rosemary for an added layer of flavour.
She Adds Lemon in Everything
One of her most consistent habits over the past 15 years is adding lemon to her daily diet—even in her drinks. Her meals are often prepped with ingredients high in acidity, which she believes helps with digestion and overall vitality.
She Relaxes With Essential Oil Massage and Foot Soaks
To improve circulation and relax, especially after filming intense action scenes or on particularly exhausting days, Ha Ji-won turns to a simple yet soothing ritual: soaking her feet in warm water infused with essential oils like geranium or peppermint.
The warmth helps to ease physical tension, while the aromatherapy properties of the oils calm the senses.
It’s a grounding practice that not only soothes tired muscles but also allows her mind and body to reset—offering a moment of calm amidst her busy schedule.
She Enjoys a “Pumpkin Latte” Meal Replacement
When she needs to manage her weight, Ha Ji-won whips up her own “pumpkin latte” by blending steamed pumpkin with milk and honey. This creamy drink provides satiety while delivering a rich dose of dietary fibre and vitamins—keeping her full without compromising on taste.
She Runs Wrapped in Cling Film
For quick weight loss, she once woke up daily at 6 AM and wrapped herself in cling film before running to induce sweating and burn fat. This helped her drop from 53kg to 46kg.
Though she no longer follows such extreme methods, she maintains a regular exercise routine that includes jogging, yoga, and swimming to stay active and toned.
She Uses Warm and Cold Water in Her Skincare
Her body care includes a unique trick: she exfoliates with an oil-infused scrub and doesn’t rinse it off immediately. Instead, she takes a warm bath, allowing steam to open her pores and better absorb nutrients. She then rinses with cold water to shrink pores and tighten the skin, resulting in smoother, firmer skin.
She Eats Royal Jelly Collagen
Ha Ji-won shares a refrigerator with her mum, and tucked away inside is one of her lesser-known skincare secrets: a mix of royal jelly collagen and honey. It’s a concoction she reaches for regularly, trusting its benefits to keep her skin plump, hydrated, and glowing from within.
Simple yet effective, this small ritual speaks volumes about her beauty philosophy—one that’s rooted in consistency, nourishment, and the power of natural ingredients.
