‘Bridgerton Season 4’ star Yerin Ha's old video, visiting grandmother Son Sook's film sets goes viral

‘Bridgerton’ Season 4 Part 1 premiered on January 29 and quickly set the tone for a sweeping new romance. Starring Luke Thompson and South Asian actress Yerin Ha in the main lead this season, the show is earning praise for its Cinderella-style storytelling. Fans are already waiting for Part 2. Before that, a video of Yerin Ha visiting her grandmother’s set in South Korea has gone viral, adding an emotional layer to her breakout moment.

The viral moment that moved fans

The old clip shows Yerin quietly watching her grandmother rehearse on a movie set. The moment struck a chord online because it revealed where her journey truly began. Viewers saw a full-circle story. A granddaughter standing where her dreams were first shaped. The video spread fast and reframed Yerin’s Bridgerton success as something deeply personal, not overnight.

A legacy shaped by theatre

Yerin Ha grew up watching her grandmother command the stage. Those moments shaped her ambition. She said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, “I visited my grandparents in Korea every year. Watching my grandmother (Son Suk) perform in plays, I felt the power of art as people were moved in real-time and emotionally connected. I thought this might be what I truly want to do.”

That influence followed her from Sydney to South Korea and back to Australia, where she trained formally at NIDA before breaking into international projects.

About her grandmother

Yerin’s grandmother, Son Sook, is a celebrated Korean actress and former politician. Born in 1944, she grew up during the Korean War. In a 2013 interview, Son recalled, “I still vividly remember studying on a blackboard set up on a pine tree by the river or on rocks in the fields, and renting a warehouse in the winter. In that environment of war and poverty, the arrival of American military trucks carrying relief supplies like powdered milk and school supplies was a truly welcome experience.”

She rose to prominence after starring in stage productions like ‘Active Volcano’ (1975), ‘Guest’ (1979), and ‘Mother’ (1999). Son later won three Baeksang Arts Awards for theatre and even served briefly as South Korea’s environment minister in 1999.

A Historic first for representation

Yerin Ha becomes the first South Asian actress to headline a Bridgerton season. The casting matters because romantic leads like this remain rare for Asian women in global series. Yerin said, “I thought it was an audition for a supporting role when I sent my video. I never imagined becoming the female lead in a romance drama.” Her casting reflects the show’s evolving vision of inclusivity.

About 'Bridgerton'

‘Bridgerton’ is based on a beloved series of Regency-era romance novels by Julia Quinn. The books, released between 2000 and 2006, center on the eight siblings of the influential Bridgerton family. Set against the glittering backdrop of London’s high society, each story follows one sibling’s journey toward love, self-discovery, and personal freedom. Society rules are strict.

Season 4 adapts ‘An Offer From a Gentleman’ by Julia Quinn, offering a Cinderella-style narrative layered with emotional depth. It turns its attention to Benedict Bridgerton. Known for his artistic soul and restless spirit, Benedict steps into a romance shaped by secrecy and longing. The introduction of Sophie Baek brings new perspective without disrupting the period fantasy

Cast season 4

Season 4 centers on Benedict Bridgerton, played by Luke Thompson, opposite Yerin Ha as Sophie Baek, the Lady in Silver. Returning cast includes Nicola Coughlan, Luke Newton, Jonathan Bailey, Simone Ashley, Ruth Gemmell, Claudia Jessie, Hannah Dodd, Florence Hunt, and Will Tilston, with Golda Rosheuvel and Adjoa Andoh returning as Queen Charlotte and Lady Danbury.