Shin Sae-kyeong

Shin Se-kyung (; born July 29, 1990) is a South Korean actress. She started as a child actress and had her breakthrough in the sitcom High Kick Through the Roof. Since then, she starred in the films Hindsight (2011), R2B: Return to Base (2012) and Tazza: The Hidden Card (2014), as well as the television series Deep Rooted Tree (2011), A Girl Who Sees Smells (2015), Six Flying Dragons (2015–2016), The Bride of Habaek (2017), Black Knight: The Man Who Guards Me (2017–2018), Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung (2019), Run On (2020) and Captivating the King (2024).

Forbes listed her on the Forbes Korea Power Celebrity 40; she ranked 26th in 2011 and 14th in 2012.

Early life and education Shin was born on July 29, 1990, in . She studied at Shinmok High School before enrolling at Chung-Ang University, where she majored in Performing arts.

Career 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. 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, she subsequently had starring roles in Cinderella, omnibus films Acoustic as well as a well-received turn as the younger version of Princess Cheonmyeong in Queen Seondeok.

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. Building on her sitcom fame, Shin signed on to numerous television commercials and print advertisement and became one of the most sought celebrity endorser.

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

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

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. 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.

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. 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.

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

In 2019, Shin starred in the historical drama Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung, alongside Cha Eun-woo. 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.

In 2020–2021, Shin starred in JTBC's romance drama Run On, alongside Yim Si-wan. 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.

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. Following this, she starred in the historical melodrama Captivating the King (2024) alongside Jo Jung-suk. 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. On July 8, 2024, Shin signed an exclusive contract with The Present Company.

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.

In late September 2024, Shin attended the Roger Vivier Spring/Summer 2025 presentation at Paris Fashion Week as the brand's Korean ambassador. 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.

Other activities 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.

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

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.

Endorsements

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

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. Shin was then selected as the model for LG Cyon Crystal phone along with BigBang.

In 2010, Shin was selected as the advertising model for Lotte liquor 'Cheongha'. She was also selected as the model for Aekyung '2080 Cheong-eun Tea' toothpaste. Shin then appeared in the commercial for Lotte Chilsung G2 ion drink. She was selected as the model for the bag brand Lovcat Paris. 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. Shin was then selected as the model for Namyoung Vivian's lingerie brand 'Vivian'. She was selected as the exclusive model for the clothing brand SOUP.

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

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.

Personal life Shin dated Shinee member Kim Jong-hyun in October 2010 until their split in June 2011.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 2004 My Little Bride Hye-won 2012 R2B: Return to Base Yoo Se-young 2021 Another Record herself Documentary film Showbox KT Season 2026 Humint Chae Seon-hwa

Television series Year Title Role Notes 2004 Toji, the Land teenage Choi Seo-hee 2009 Queen Seondeok teenage Princess Cheonmyeong Fashion King Lee Ga-young My Husband Got a Family Shin Se-kyung Episode 49 (cameo) 2013 When a Man Falls in Love Seo Mi-do 2014 Blade Man Son Se-dong 2023 Arthdal Chronicles Tanya Season 2 2024 Captivating the King Kang Hee-soo / Kang Mong-woo Kang Chae-rin

Television shows Year Title Role Notes 2010 I'm Real: Shin Se-kyung Herself Documentary 2012 Forever 22-year-old Cheerleader Sanoam Narrator Narration 2018 Pocha Beyond Borders Cast member

Music video appearances Year Song title Artist 1999 "MCMXCIX" 1999 Dae Han Min Guk 2010 "Don't Say Anything" BlueBrand 2017 "Take Five" Younha 2022 "One More Time" Paul Kim 2025 "Don't Say You Love Me" Jin

Discography Title Year Album As lead artist "The Snow Melts" 2010 Love Tree Project "You Were Sweet" 2012 Collaboration "Sweet Christmas" 2012 Soundtrack appearances "Confessions Of Dangerous Broccoli" 2010 Acoustic OST "Summer Blues" 2011 Hindsight OST

Accolades Awards and nominations

+ Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result APAN Star Awards 2015 Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries A Girl Who Sees Smells 2016 Top Excellence in a Serial Drama Six Flying Dragons Baeksang Arts Awards 2010 Best New Actress – Television High Kick Through the Roof 2026 Best Supporting Actress – Film Humint Blue Dragon Film Awards 2011 Best New Actress Hindsight 2014 Popular Star Award Tazza: The Hidden Card Brand of the Year Awards 2019 Celebrity YouTuber Shin Se-kyung Grand Bell Awards 2011 Best New Actress Hindsight KBS Drama Awards 2014 Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries Blade Man Netizen Award, Actress Best Couple Award Shin Se-kyung Blade Man 2018 Top Excellence Award, Actress Black Knight: The Man Who Guards Me Excellence Award, Actress in a Mid-length Drama Netizen Award, Actress Best Couple Award Shin Se-kyung Black Knight: The Man Who Guards Me Korea Drama Awards 2012 Top Excellence Award, Actress Fashion King 2018 Excellence Award, Actress Black Knight: The Man Who Guards Me Korea Visual Arts Festival 2011 Photogenic Award, TV category Deep Rooted Tree MBC Drama Awards 2013 Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries When a Man Falls in Love Popularity Award, Actress Best Couple Award Shin Se-kyung When a Man Falls in Love 2019 Best Couple Award Shin Se-kyung Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Wednesday-Thursday Drama Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung Grand Prize (Daesang) MBC Entertainment Awards 2009 Best New Actress High Kick Through the Roof Best Couple Award in a Comedy/Sitcom Shin Se-kyung High Kick Through the Roof Mnet 20's Choice Awards 2010 20's Most Influential Star Shin Se-kyung 2012 20's Female Drama Star Deep Rooted Tree Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival 2011 Fantasia Award High Kick Through the Roof SBS Drama Awards 2011 Excellence Award, Actress in a Drama Special Deep Rooted Tree 2012 Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries Fashion King Netizen Popularity Award Best Couple Award Shin Se-kyung Fashion King 2015 Excellence Award, Actress in a Serial Drama Six Flying Dragons Best Couple Award Shin Se-kyung Six Flying Dragons Top 10 Stars A Girl Who Sees Smells, Six Flying Dragons Best Couple Award Shin Se-kyung A Girl Who Sees Smells Seoul International Drama Awards 2012 Outstanding Korean Actress Deep Rooted Tree Soompi Awards 2018 Best Kiss Award Shin Se-kyung The Bride of Habaek Best Couple Award Style Icon Awards 2011 New Icon Award Shin Se-kyung

Listicles + Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement Publisher Year Listicle Placement Forbes 2011 Korea Power Celebrity 40 2012 Korean Film Council 2021 Korean Actors 200