Shin Se-kyung

1998–2009: Beginnings as a child actress

Shin made her entertainment debut at eight years old in 1998 when she was featured on the cover and poster for Seo Taiji's solo album Take Five.^[6][7] As a child actress, Shin was already known to Koreans for her appearance in the popular children's show Popopo, which also starred Big Bang's G-Dragon. She spent her childhood hosting children shows.

After a small part in My Little Bride,^[8] she subsequently had starring roles in Cinderella,^{[7][9][10][11]} omnibus films Acoustic^[12] and Five Senses of Eros,^[13] as well as a well-received turn as the younger version of Princess Cheonmyeong in Queen Seondeok.^[14]

2009–2014: Rise in popularity and transitioning roles

Shin failed to gain a large following until her breakthrough role as a housemaid on the popular TV sitcom High Kick Through the Roof in 2009.^[15][16] Building on her sitcom fame, Shin signed on to numerous television commercials and print advertisement and became one of the most sought celebrity endorser.^[17]

Lead roles in high-profile acting projects followed, among them film noir Hindsight with Song Kang-ho,^[18][19][20] the highly rated historical drama Deep Rooted Tree with Jang Hyuk and Han Suk-kyu,^[21] and aerial action film R2B: Return to Base with Rain.^[22][23] However, Shin's next project Fashion King (2012) was poorly received by audiences, particularly its controversial ending.^[24][25]

Shin then released her first digital single, "You Were Sweet," which she recorded to promote a coffee franchise she models for.^[26][27][28] A former singer trainee in middle school,^[29] Shin has also contributed songs to the soundtrack of Hindsight,^[30] the charity album Love Tree Project, and did her own singing in showcase piece Acoustic.^[12] In 2012, she recorded a Christmas carol duet with Epitone Project.^[31][32]

Shin returned to television in the 2013 melodrama When a Man Falls in Love opposite Song Seung-heon, but received criticism from viewers for her passive character.^{[33][34][35][36]} In 2014, she played a more "bold and confident" role in the gambling film Tazza: The Hidden Card, followed by the fantasy-action series Blade Man.^[37][38]

2015–present: Resurgence and comeback

In a break from her usual dramatic roles, Shin played an aspiring comedian in the webtoon adaptation A Girl Who Sees Smells in 2015 as the titular character.^[39] Shin then reunited with Fashion King costar Yoo Ah-in in Six Flying Dragons (2015–2016), another period drama from the screenwriters of Deep Rooted Tree.^[40]

In 2017, Shin starred in tvN's fantasy-romance drama The Bride of Habaek alongside Nam Joo-hyuk.^[41] This is followed shortly by another fantasy-romance drama, Black Knight: The Man Who Guards Me alongside Kim Rae-won.^[42][43]

In 2019, Shin starred in the historical drama Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung, alongside Cha Eun-woo.^[44] She played the role of a noble lady who becomes one of the four female historians of the royal court, and won the Top Excellence Award for an Actress and Best Couple Award with Cha Eun-woo at the MBC Drama Awards.^[45]

In 2020–2021, Shin starred in JTBC's romance drama Run On, alongside Yim Si-wan.^[46][47] On July 5, 2021, it was announced Shin had signed an exclusive contract with EDAM Entertainment (a subsidiary of Kakao Entertainment) after her contract with Namoo Actors expired.^[48]

In 2023, Shin returned to television in the second season of the fantasy drama Arthdal Chronicles: The Sword of Aramun, taking over the role of Tan-ya from Kim Ji-won.^[49] Following this, she starred in the historical melodrama Captivating the King (2024) alongside Jo Jung-suk.^[50] She played Kang Hee-soo, a genius baduk player who disguises herself as a man to seek revenge but falls in love with the king.

On July 3, 2024, it was announced that Shin has departed from EDAM Entertainment after her contract expiry.^[51] On July 8, 2024, Shin signed an exclusive contract with The Present Company.^[52]

In September, 2024 Shin Se Kyung was cast as the new lead of 'Humint' where she will play Chae Sun Hwa, a North Korean restaurant worker, alongside Jo In Sung as a National Intelligence Service team leader, Park Jung Min as a North Korean State Security Department agent, and Park Hae-joon as Hwang Chi-seong, forming a dynamic chemistry on screen together.^[53]

In late September 2024, Shin attended the Roger Vivier Spring/Summer 2025 presentation at Paris Fashion Week as the brand's Korean ambassador.^[54] She continued her global promotional activities by attending the brand's Fall/Winter 2025 collection show in Paris in March 2025, drawing attention for her sophisticated style.

Ambassadorship

On January 15, 2014, Shin was appointed as the goodwill ambassador for UNESCO's Korean Committee. The honor serves as recognition for her contributions in promoting Korean culture and Education and her advocacy for the Korean language, including her appearance in Deep Rooted Tree. In this capacity, she endorses the vision and the mission of the UNESCO bridge program, both in Korea and outside.^[55]

In 2017, Shin was appointed as the Korean hanbok ambassador and attended the hanbok runway show on October 20, 2017.^[56]

In 2023, Shin was selected as the Korean ambassador for the French luxury accessory brand Roger Vivier. Since her appointment, she has actively represented the brand at global events, including attending the Paris Fashion Week presentations.^[57]

Endorsements

In 2006, Shin was selected as the advertising model for School Looks, a school uniform company.^[58]

In 2009, she appeared in the commercial for VIPS restaurant along with Park Ye-jin, Lee Yeon-hee, Lee Yoon-ji and Park Shin-hye.^[59] Shin was then selected as the model for LG Cyon Crystal phone along with BigBang.^[60]

In 2010, Shin was selected as the advertising model for Lotte liquor 'Cheongha'.^[61] She was also selected as the model for Aekyung '2080 Cheong-eun Tea' toothpaste.^[62] Shin then appeared in the commercial for Lotte Chilsung G2 ion drink.^[63] She was selected as the model for the bag brand Lovcat Paris.^[64] Shin was then announced as the brand model of BBQ Chicken along with the boygroup BEAST. She was also the model for New Super Mario Bros. Wii Nintendo Korea.^[65] Shin was then selected as the model for Namyoung Vivian's lingerie brand 'Vivian'.^[66] She was selected as the exclusive model for the clothing brand SOUP.^[67]

In 2012, Shin was announced as the model for the Korean cosmetics brand Nature Republic.^[68] She then appeared in a commercial for Yakult's R&B.^[69] She is also featured in the commercial for Dongseo Food's 'Light Up' cereal.^[70]

Philanthropy

Since the opening of her YouTube channel in 2018, Shin Se Kyung has donated income generated from her videos to help those in need. On December 20, 2022, Shin made a donation from YouTube profits to support sanitary napkins for teenage girls in Korea through the G Foundation.^[71]

Film

Television series

Television shows

Music video appearances

Awards and nominations

Listicles