“Bridgerton” Star Yerin Ha Opens Up About Representing the Asian Community in Netflix Hit: 'We Deserve These Spaces' (Exclusive)
“Bridgerton” Star Yerin Ha Opens Up About Representing the Asian Community in Netflix Hit: 'We Deserve These Spaces' (Exclusive)
Yamillah Hurtado, Michelle LeeSat, February 28, 2026 at 2:14 AM UTC
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Yerin Ha attends Gold House's Lunar New Year Celebration in New York City in February 2026Credit: Noam Galai/Getty -
Bridgerton star Yerin Ha opens up about representing the Asian community as Sophie in the fourth season of the Netflix drama
“We deserve these roles and spaces,” Ha told PEOPLE at the Lunar New Year Gold Celebration on Wednesday, Feb. 12
Bridgerton season 4 is available to stream on Netflix
Bridgerton’s Yerin Ha is speaking out about the importance of Asian representation.
Ha, 28, shared what it means to her to represent the Asian community in Netflix’s beloved drama while speaking exclusively to PEOPLE at the Lunar New Year Gold Celebration hosted by Gold House in New York City on Wednesday, Feb. 12. The Bridgerton star plays Sophie Baek, a maid who attends a masquerade ball and catches the eye of Benedict Bridgerton, in the series fourth season.
“It’s been really, really amazing and beautiful,” Ha shares of being a part of the series’ latest season. “I’ve been really caught up with a press tour, it has been really positive.”
“I just feel so proud that I get to be the face of that and keep advocating for change and knowing that we deserve these roles and spaces,” she adds.
Yerin Ha at Sirius XM Studios in New York City in February 2026Credit: Gary Gershoff/Getty
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The fourth season of Bridgerton sees Sophie navigate class disparities and identity as her character falls in love with the wealthy Benedict, played by Luke Thompson. After meeting Sophie at the masquerade ball as the Lady in Silver, Benedict sets out on a quest to find the mystery woman.
For the Australian actress, working on the show has been filled with fun memories. “We just have fun every day,” Ha says. “It was always a laugh on set, and everyone’s a good time and a good chat.”
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Yerin Ha as Sophie Baek in 'Bridgerton' season 4Credit: Liam Daniel/Netflix
In an October 2024 interview with Shondaland, Ha revealed the moment she discovered she landed the lead role in season 4. While she was having breakfast with her mom at a cafe in Korea, she received a phone call.
"She came out crying, and then after the phone call, she was like, 'We gotta go home. I think I have indigestion,' and so we left,” Ha said. "It was really beautiful to kind of, I guess share that moment with her."
However, when Ha read An Offer from a Gentleman, the book in Julia Quinn's series that follows Benedict's love story, the nerves set in. In her January InStyle cover story, the actress revealed that the intimacy scenes between Benedict and Sophie made her nervous.
“Being a woman in this industry, it’s a massive thing. People think that they have the right to talk about your body, how you look, and your external appearance," Ha said. “I've dealt with body image and that shame for a very, very long time — and I'm still working through it."
She continued, “But what's been really nice about Sophie is she's taught me a lot about self-love and self-acceptance. I'm still working on accepting myself for my entirety and being happy with who I am. In a world where we strive for perfection, what does that look like?”
Bridgerton season 4 is available to stream on Netflix.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
