
Shin Hye-sun – Age, Height, Dramas and New Projects
Shin Hye-sun is a South Korean actress born on August 31, 1989, in Seoul. She entered the entertainment industry in 2012 with a minor role in the KBS drama School 2013 and established herself as a leading actress within five years through the record-breaking series My Golden Life.
Known for her versatility across genres ranging from romantic comedies to historical fantasies, Shin has built a filmography that includes both critically acclaimed television dramas and feature films. Following her departure from YNK Entertainment after a decade-long partnership, she signed with Seesun in April 2025, marking a new chapter in her career as she prepares for upcoming international projects. For readers interested in other entertainment profiles, see the Cast of Los Juegos del Hambre.
Who is Shin Hye-sun?
Key Facts
- Graduated from Sejong University with a degree in Film Art, following dramatic arts training at the National High School of Traditional Korean Arts.
- Inspired to pursue acting after watching Won Bin’s performance in Autumn Tale.
- Achieved breakthrough success with My Golden Life (2017), which recorded ratings exceeding 40% and drew over 8 million viewers.
- Received Baeksang Arts Award nomination for Best Actress (TV) for her dual role in Mr. Queen (2021).
- Demonstrated range through diverse characters including a ballerina, soprano, queen, lawyer, and art curator.
- Ranked 115th among South Korean actors globally according to Pantheon metrics.
- Transitioned from YNK Entertainment to Seesun in April 2025 after renewing her previous contract in December 2021.
Profile Summary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Shin Hye-sun (신혜선) |
| Date of Birth | August 31, 1989 |
| Birth Place | Seoul, South Korea |
| Height | 173 cm |
| Education | Sejong University (Film Art), National High School of Traditional Korean Arts |
| Agency | Seesun (2025–present) |
| Years Active | 2012–present |
| Debut | School 2013 (KBS2, 2012) |
What are Shin Hye-sun’s top dramas and career highlights?
Early Career and Breakthrough (2012–2016)
Shin secured her first screen credit in 2012 after passing an audition for School 2013, appearing as a schoolgirl using her real name. She spent the following three years building her resume with supporting roles in popular series including Oh My Ghost (2015) and She Was Pretty (2015). Her portrayal of a gullible romantic woman in Five Enough (2016) marked her first significant breakthrough, leading to increased industry recognition.
Leading Roles and Critical Acclaim (2017–2021)
The 2017 weekend drama My Golden Life established Shin as a bankable lead, with the series achieving over 40% domestic ratings. She followed this with consecutive leading performances in The Hymn of Death (2018) alongside Lee Jong-suk, where she portrayed tragic soprano Yun Sim-deok, and Still 17 (2018) as an aspiring violinist. Her role as a brilliant ballerina in Angel’s Last Mission: Love (2019) required intensive physical training to perform dance sequences.
In 2020, she undertook the dual challenge of playing both Queen Cheorin and the modern man trapped inside her body in Mr. Queen, earning a Best Actress nomination at the 57th Baeksang Arts Awards. Concurrently, she expanded into film with leading roles in Innocence (2020) as a defense lawyer and Collectors (2020) as an art curator.
Shin has portrayed characters across fourteen distinct professions and time periods, from Joseon Dynasty royalty to modern-day photographers, consistently selecting projects that require specialized skills rather than relying on typecasting.
Recent Projects and International Expansion (2023–2026)
Recent years have seen Shin explore fantasy premises with See You in My 19th Life (2023), where she played a woman remembering past incarnations, and the slice-of-life romance Welcome to Samdal-ri (2023–2024) opposite Ji Chang-wook. She is currently scheduled to appear in the Netflix mystery thriller The Art of Sarah (2025/2026), portraying multiple characters with different personalities.
How old is Shin Hye-sun and what are her physical stats?
Age and Birth Details
Born in 1989, Shin was 35 years old throughout 2024. She celebrates her birthday on August 31, meaning she will turn 36 in 2025.
Height and Physical Profile
Standing at 173 cm, Shin possesses a notably tall stature for Korean actresses. Her weight and other specific measurements are not publicly disclosed in available sources.
Her formal training at the National High School of Traditional Korean Arts and subsequent Film Art studies at Sejong University provided technical grounding that distinguishes her approach to character preparation.
Is Shin Hye-sun married or dating anyone?
No confirmed information exists regarding Shin’s romantic relationships, marriage history, or current dating status. She maintains strict privacy regarding her personal life, and no credible sources have verified any past or present partnerships. Industry observers note her consistent refusal to publicly address relationship speculation.
While public interest in celebrity relationships remains high, Shin has not disclosed family details, residential information, or personal contact details, maintaining boundaries between her professional work and private life.
How has Shin Hye-sun’s career progressed over time?
- 2012: Debuts in School 2013 after auditioning for the long-running KBS franchise.
- 2015: Gains attention through supporting roles in Oh My Ghost and She Was Pretty.
- 2016: Breakthrough performance in Five Enough leads to first major fanbase growth.
- 2017: First leading role in My Golden Life achieves 40%+ ratings and national recognition.
- 2018: Stars in dual projects The Hymn of Death and Still 17, showcasing range in different genres.
- 2020–2021: Mr. Queen becomes cultural phenomenon; earns Baeksang Best Actress nomination while simultaneously releasing two feature films.
- 2023: Leads fantasy drama See You in My 19th Life and romance Welcome to Samdal-ri.
- April 2025: Signs exclusive contract with Seesun following decade at YNK Entertainment.
- 2025/2026: Commits to Netflix series The Art of Sarah requiring portrayal of multiple distinct personalities.
What is verified versus what remains private?
| Established Facts | Unclear or Private Information |
|---|---|
| Born August 31, 1989 in Seoul | Family members and parents’ identities |
| Height: 173 cm | Weight and specific body measurements |
| Sejong University Film Art graduate | Exact net worth figures (estimated only) |
| Agency timeline: YNK (until 2025), Seesun (current) | Romantic relationships or dating history |
| Complete drama and film filmography through 2024 | Any cosmetic procedures or surgery details |
What influenced Shin Hye-sun’s path into acting?
Shin’s interest in performance arts developed during her attendance at the National High School of Traditional Korean Arts, where she received specialized training in traditional performance disciplines. Her decision to pursue film studies at Sejong University was specifically motivated by Won Bin’s acting in the classic drama Autumn Tale, which she has cited as the catalyst for her career choice.
Despite entering an artistic high school with an acting specialization, she deliberately sought independent training paths rather than following conventional idol-actor trajectories. This educational background in both traditional Korean arts and modern film theory informs her methodical approach to preparing for complex roles requiring specific physical skills, such as ballet in Angel’s Last Mission: Love or historical court etiquette in Mr. Queen.
What do authoritative sources report about her work?
“Shin Hye-sun debuted in 2012 with the TV drama School 2013 and rose to prominence with her leading role in the 2017 hit My Golden Life, which drew over 8 million viewers.”
— Wikipedia
For more information about the film’s cast, you can refer to El repartiment de la pel·lícula In the Heights.
“She graduated from the Department of Film Art at Sejong University (also referred to as Sajang University in some sources). Inspired by actor Won Bin’s performance in Autumn Tale, she pursued film studies.”
“Shin Hye-sun stands at 173 cm tall; her weight is not specified in available sources.”
— IQ.com
Where does Shin Hye-sun stand in the industry today?
Shin Hye-sun currently ranks among South Korea’s most versatile leading actresses, transitioning successfully from weekend family dramas to high-concept fantasy series and feature films. Her April 2025 move to Seesun positions her for expanded international opportunities, beginning with the Netflix production The Art of Sarah. While her professional achievements are extensively documented, she maintains one of the industry’s most private personal profiles, with no confirmed information regarding romantic partnerships or family background available to the public. For readers interested in other entertainment profiles, see the Cast of Los Juegos del Hambre.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Shin Hye-sun’s exact height?
She stands at 173 cm tall according to IQ.com and other verified sources.
When did Shin Hye-sun make her acting debut?
She debuted in 2012 with a minor role as a schoolgirl in KBS’s School 2013, using her real name.
Is Shin Hye-sun currently married?
No marriage records or confirmed relationships exist in public sources; she maintains privacy regarding personal matters.
What is Shin Hye-sun’s next drama after Welcome to Samdal-ri?
She is attached to the Netflix mystery thriller The Art of Sarah, scheduled for 2025 or 2026 release.
Has Shin Hye-sun undergone plastic surgery?
No sources confirm or deny cosmetic procedures; no information regarding plastic surgery appears in verified biographical data.
Which management agency represents Shin Hye-sun in 2025?
She signed with Seesun in April 2025 after completing her contract with YNK Entertainment.
What university did Shin Hye-sun attend?
She graduated from the Department of Film Art at Sejong University, following studies at the National High School of Traditional Korean Arts.
What role made Shin Hye-sun famous?
Her 2017 leading role in My Golden Life established her stardom, achieving ratings above 40% and over 8 million viewers.