As her star continues to shine a decade after her on-screen debut appearance, we trace Shin’s career trajectory – from appearing in minor roles to becoming Korea’s “Diction Fairy”.

Shin Hye-sun was inspired by Won Bin

Shin told Korea JoongAng Daily that she wanted to become a cartoonist as a child, but when she saw people on TV getting lots of attention, she decided she wanted to appear on screen more and began aiming for an acting career instead.

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Inspired, she honed her craft throughout her formative years, attending the National High School of Traditional Korean Arts and becoming classmates with actors Lee Jong-suk and Kang Ha-neul, according to Cosmopolitan Philippines, before attending Sejong University’s film art degree programme.

She debuted in a minor role in School 2013

Shin made her debut in School 2013, landing a minor role in the drama. At the 2019 KBS Drama Awards, which Shin hosted, she said she had “miraculously” passed the show’s audition.

When a short clip of her acting in School 2013 flashed on screen during the ceremony, she looked flustered and embarrassed. Her co-host, Jun Hyun-moo, graciously pointed out that even though many years had passed, she didn’t look any different.

She was outstanding as a rookie actress

Even though her debut role was small, Shin’s acting skills didn’t go unnoticed. According to Zapzee, even in the early days she managed to garner praise from screenwriter Cho Sung-hee, whom she met on High School King of Savvy.

Cho said in an interview: “Shin’s performance in High School King of Savvy was so natural that it automatically caught my eyes. She was still a rookie and yet she knew how to relax and how to act neatly.”

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After having worked together on She Was Pretty, Cho then cast her in Still 17, according to Soompi. In the drama, she plays a 30-year-old who must learn how to act her age after waking from a 13-year coma.

Making a name for herself in My Golden Life

In the years that followed, Shin continued building her body of work, becoming an increasingly well-known face in the industry. Her big break came when she scored her first lead role in My Golden Life – the final episode of which scored record ratings, according to The Korea Times.

In the show, she plays a contract worker who is mistakenly identified as the long-lost daughter of a rich family. The role was originally offered to actress UEE, but she declined, per Kbizoom.

What she’s looking for in her next role

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In a recent interview with First Look, she admits she hasn’t always been sure of her roles.

“There have been moments of regret over my decisions, but I’m not sure. Sometimes, I just feel a strong pull toward certain roles,” she told the publication, adding that she picks roles that “resonate” with her.

For her next role, however, she has admitted she wants to play an evil villain or a character that “flips [her] style”. At the very least, one who sports a crazy hair style, she joked.