Han Jae-rim was born on July 14, 1975 in Jeju Province. Han graduated from Jeju National University of Education High School and majored in English Literature at Jeju National University, but dropped out and studied film directing at Seoul Institute of the Arts.[2] Han graduated from Seoul Institute of the Arts in 1998.[3]
Han, Kim Jee-woon and Yim Pil-sung then signed on to each shoot a short film for the omnibusDoomsday Book in 2006. Han's segment "The Christmas Gift" was supposed to have been a science-fictionmusical retelling of O. Henry's The Gift of the Magi, but it was never shot after financing fell through. The film was later released in 2012, but without Han's involvement (Kim and Yim co-directed the third short with a completely new script).[9]
Han entered pre-production for his purported third film, Trace in 2009. Based on the webtoon of the same title, it follows a young man who wakes up from a coma with superpowers after an assault that took his father's life.[12][13] But despite winning the Kodak Award (with a cash prize of US$17,000) at the Busan International Film Festival's Pusan Promotion Plan, Han was unable to secure financing for the US$7.7 million blockbuster, and the project was shelved.[14]
In 2010, Han established film production company Wooju Film Co., Ltd.[15] Six years after his last completed film, Han returned to the big screen in 2013 with period dramaThe Face Reader.[16] The film delved into the philosophical question whether character determines fate or vice versa, in a story about a Joseon fortuneteller skilled in physiognomy who becomes swept up in court intrigues and power struggles.[17] Again starring Song Kang-ho as the titular character opposite Lee Jung-jae as the ambitious Grand Prince Suyang, The Face Reader scored 9.1 million admissions at the local box office, making it the 13th highest grossing Korean film of all time.[18] It won six trophies at the 50th Grand Bell Awards, including Best Film and Best Director for Han.[19][20]
Han wrote the scenario of The King (2017) in just a month. He was preparing for a martial arts film that wasn't going well, so he wrote this story and it came out quickly. The previous investor wanted him to do a martial arts film, but Han decided to write a unique story that he thought would be easier to produce with a distinctive cast. He considered actor Zo In-sung for the lead role, despite initial doubts about his willingness to take on a risky role. However, after meeting Zo, who expressed a genuine desire to have fun with the project without any strategic calculations, Han was impressed by his flexibility and commitment on set. Collaborating with Zo helped Han overcome his prejudice towards good-looking actors.[22]
In 2019, Han change his company name to Magnum Nine Co., Ltd.[15] Magnum Nine was inspired by the photojournalism group Magnum, which established by Henri Cartier-Bresson and Robert Capa. Han liked their spirit of documenting the world.[23]
^Kim Nara (July 15, 2022). "송강호X이병헌 '비상선언', 아이맥스 개봉 확정 "압도적 현실감" [공식]" [Song Kang-ho X Lee Byung-hun 'Emergency Declaration' confirmed for IMAX release "Overwhelming sense of reality" [Official]]. My Daily (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
^Hwang Hye-jin (January 28, 2022). 류준열X아이유X박정민X박해준X배성우 '머니게임' 출연 확정(공식) [Ryu Jun-yeol X IU X Park Jung-min X Park Hae-joon X Bae Seong-woo confirmed to appear in 'Money Game' (official)] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved January 28, 2022 – via Naver.
^Bae Hyo-joo (December 12, 2023). '머니게임' 원작 'The 8 Show' 넷플릭스 공개‥류준열→배성우 8人 주연 ['The 8 Show', based on 'Money Game', released on Netflix... Starring Ryu Jun-yeol → Bae Seong-woo] (in Korean). Newsen. Retrieved December 12, 2023 – via Naver.
^Seong-shim, Won (2018-03-17). 현기영 소설가와 한재림.양윤호 감독, '제주4.3 70주년' 뭉친다 [Novelist Hyun Ki-young and directors Han Jae-rim and Yang Yoon-ho join forces for 'Jeju 4.3 70th Anniversary']. headlinejeju.co.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-08-21.
^43회 청룡영화상 후보 발표, 박찬욱 감독 '헤어질 결심' 13개 부문 최다 노미네이트 [Nominations announced at the 43rd Blue Dragon Film Awards, Director Park Chan-wook's 'Decision to break up' received the most nominations in 13 categories]. KBS Star (in Korean). Naver. November 8, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
^Kim, Na-ra (October 6, 2022). 헤어질 결심' 박해일X탕웨이, 男女주연상→'월드 ★' 이정재, 신인 감독상 수상 [2022 부일영화상](종합) [Decision to break up' Park Hae-il X Tang Wei, Best Leading Actress → 'World ★' Lee Jung-jae, Rookie Director Award [2022 Buil Film Awards] (Comprehensive)]. MyDaily [ko] (in Korean). Retrieved October 6, 2022 – via Naver.
^Park, Mi-ae (October 24, 2022). 헤어질 결심', 영평상 최우수작품상 선정…공로상 안성기 ['Decision to break up' selected for Best Picture at the Youngpyeong Awards... Achievement Award Ahn Sung-ki]. E-Daily (in Korean). Retrieved October 24, 2022 – via Naver.