Ha Sang-su is a careful, soft-spoken teller at a neighborhood bank branch who has built a quiet life out of not asking for too much. Polite to a fault and acutely conscious of rank, he keeps his desires folded away, even as his feelings for contract worker Ahn Su-yeong become impossible for him to ignore.
Over the season, Sang-su's restraint reveals itself as both his armor and his flaw. His reluctance to claim what he wants, shaped by class anxiety and a fear of overstepping, repeatedly stalls the connection he most longs for. His arc is a slow, painful loosening, a man learning that honesty costs something and that loving someone openly means risking the careful order he has spent years protecting.
Ha Sang-su is one of the central figures in The Interest of Love, a romance/drama/korean/melodrama/slice-of-life/workplace series that aired on JTBC from 2022-2023. Within the narrative of The Interest of Love, Ha Sang-su serves as a pivotal character whose decisions and relationships drive key story arcs throughout Season 1. The character's journey has been central to many of the show's most memorable and discussed moments.
Portrayed by Yoo Yeon-seok, Ha Sang-su has become one of the most recognizable characters in modern television. Yoo Yeon-seok's performance brings nuance and depth to the role, creating a character that resonates with audiences on both intellectual and emotional levels. Yoo Yeon-seok's work has been recognized with 1 major award, reflecting the critical acclaim their portrayal has received.
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? Frequently Asked Questions
Ha Sang-su is a diligent, mild-mannered teller at a neighborhood bank branch and one of the drama's central figures. His quiet, restrained attraction to contract worker Ahn Su-yeong, held back by pride and class anxiety, drives the show's slow-burn romance.
Ha Sang-su is played by South Korean actor Yoo Yeon-seok, known for Hospital Playlist and Reply 1994.
