No wonder actress Ha Ji Won chose to narrate a documentary called "Horse of the Wind." She was born in the "Year of the Horse," according to the Chinese Zodiac. And she can ride like the wind, which she demonstrated in several episodes of her current hit drama "Empress Ki."
Horseback riding is not only a skill that comes in handy when the actress films historical dramas. Golf and horseback riding are her two favorite hobbies although she has learned plenty of other sports and skills for her film roles.
When she was a little girl, she already had a vision of herself on horseback.
Her father once told "Celebrity" magazine that early on his daughter's plans included horses.
"When she was a first grader in elementary school she told the class that when she grew up she would ride a white horse and travel around the world," he said.
The actress has said that she feels that she could have been a warrior in a previous life, a person not unlike Seungnyang in "Empress Ki" or the bounty hunter she plays in the film "The Huntresses." In "Empress Ki" she can ride better than many male warriors.
"I sometimes think I must have been a warrior in a past life," she said. "When I perform an action scene like riding and using my sword, it feels great."
She agreed to do the "Horse of the Wind" documentary because she feels especially close to horses and views them so positively. The documentary will explain the role horses played in humanity's accomplishments and talk about how humans have cared for them.
"If there were no horses, there would not be an 'us,'" she said.
The first half of the documentary will talk about a special breed of horses that has amazing endurance. The second part will cover the relationship between humans and horses, including the changes in human brain waves when people interact with horses.
The documentary 'Horse of the Wind" will be shown during the Korean Lunar New Year holidays. It is the first documentary the actress has ever narrated.
Not only is horseback riding fun. Ha Ji Won feels that it is important for actors to play sports to improve their body strength.
"It sometimes helps in playing the roles you land," she said.
It has clearly helped her play Seungnyang in "Empress Ki." She rides effortlessly and gracefully.
