Shin Eun-kyung
Shin Eun-kyung (Korean: 신은경; born February 15, 1973) is a South Korean actress renowned for her versatile performances across film and television, particularly her breakout leading roles in the dramatic thriller Downfall (1997) and the action-comedy My Wife Is a Gangster (2001).[1] Eun-kyung began her career as a commercial model in 1986 before making her acting debut on television in 1988, quickly rising as a prominent figure in Korean entertainment during the 1990s.[2] Her early success included winning the Baeksang Arts Awards for Best New Actress for her role in the MBC drama General Hospital (1994), establishing her as a talented newcomer capable of handling complex characters.[2] The role of a resilient woman in Downfall, directed by Im Kwon-taek, earned her the Best Actress award at the 18th Blue Dragon Film Awards, marking a pivotal moment that showcased her dramatic depth and contributed to the film's critical acclaim.[2] In the 2000s, Eun-kyung achieved commercial stardom with My Wife Is a Gangster, a box-office hit that grossed over 5 million admissions and inspired two sequels, highlighting her ability to blend toughness with humor in the gangster wife role.[2] She continued to diversify her portfolio with roles in films such as The Ring Virus (1999), a Korean adaptation of the horror classic, and later returned to television with notable performances in MBC's Flames of Desire (2010), where she received the Top Excellence Award at the MBC Drama Awards.[3] More recently, her portrayal of the scheming Kang Ma-ri in the SBS megahit drama The Penthouse: War in Life (2020–2021) garnered widespread attention and an Excellence Award at the SBS Drama Awards, reaffirming her enduring presence in the industry. She later starred as Cha Joo-ran in the SBS drama The Escape of the Seven (2023–2024).[2]Early life and education
Early life
Shin Eun-kyung was born on February 15, 1973, in Busan, South Korea. She is the eldest daughter with two younger brothers. Little else is publicly known about her family background, though she has spoken of her younger brother's classmate's involvement in acting inadvertently influencing her early curiosity about the entertainment world. Her father was described as conservative and initially skeptical of her potential career in acting, believing it would be short-lived, while her mother provided support for her pursuits.[4] During her childhood in Busan, Shin developed an initial interest in performing arts, inspired by watching prominent actresses on television. She has recalled feeling envious of the respect and treatment received by stars like Ha Hee-ra, which sparked her aspiration to enter the industry despite the challenges of a conservative family environment.[5]Education
Shin Eun-kyung relocated from Busan to Seoul during her formative years and focused her academic pursuits on the performing arts to build a foundation for her interest in acting. She graduated from Ilshin Girls' Middle School in 1988.[6] She then enrolled at Anyang Arts High School, a prestigious institution for artistic training, where she majored in the Department of Theater and Film. This program emphasized practical skills in performance, script analysis, and stagecraft, immersing her in an environment that nurtured emerging talents in Korean theater and cinema. She graduated from Anyang Arts High School in 1991.[7]) Following her high school graduation, Shin attended Dankook University, majoring in the Department of Theater and Film. Her university studies, which took place in the early 1990s, deepened her engagement with theoretical and practical aspects of dramatic arts, including acting methodologies and film studies, equipping her with essential knowledge for professional performance. Although specific details on her coursework or faculty influences are limited in public records, this academic phase aligned closely with her burgeoning career aspirations in the industry.[8]Career
Debut and early roles
Shin Eun-kyung began her acting career as a teenager, appearing in commercials starting in 1986 at the age of 13 before transitioning to television with her debut in 1988 on KBS.[9][10] Throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, she appeared in minor and supporting roles across various TV dramas, honing her skills amid the competitive landscape of South Korean broadcasting.[9] These early parts often featured her in ensemble casts, providing foundational experience in genres ranging from historical to contemporary stories, though specific challenges from this period are not widely documented in her interviews or profiles. Representative examples include her portrayal of the Deposed Queen Song (Danjong's queen) in the 1990 KBS historical drama Dance of Breaking Sky, a 50-episode series that showcased her ability to handle period characters.[9] She followed with supporting roles in Thief's Wife (1991, MBC, 10 episodes) and as Do Jin-sook, the KAL Chief of Staff, in Pilot (1993, MBC, 16 episodes), gradually expanding her presence in daily and weekend serials.[9] Her role as Lee Jeong-hwa in the 1994 MBC medical drama General Hospital (92 episodes) served as a pivotal early success, earning her a lead position in a high-profile series and markedly boosting her recognition within the industry.[9][10] This performance highlighted her versatility in dramatic narratives centered on professional and personal conflicts in a hospital setting.Rise to prominence
Shin Eun-kyung's rise to prominence began in 1997 with her leading role as Young-eun in Im Kwon-taek's Downfall, where she portrayed a woman forced into prostitution after being deceived into the sex trade as a teenager. The film, which chronicled the evolution of Korea's sex industry from the 1950s to the 1990s, earned critical acclaim for its unflinching social commentary and Shin's raw, transformative performance, culminating in her winning the Best Actress award at the 18th Blue Dragon Film Awards, as well as the Popular Star Award.[10] With 411,591 admissions in Seoul alone, Downfall ranked third at the box office that year, marking a significant breakthrough for Shin after years of supporting television roles.[11] Building on this success, Shin expanded into genre films in the late 1990s, notably starring as journalist Hong Sun-joo in the 1999 horror adaptation The Ring Virus, Korea's take on Koji Suzuki's novel Ring. In the film, her character investigates a cursed videotape linked to mysterious deaths, including that of her niece, blending supernatural suspense with personal stakes as a single mother. The role showcased her versatility in international horror remakes and led to further opportunities, such as a supporting part in the Japanese film Uzumaki (2000).[12] Other notable works from this period included her appearance in the mystery thriller A Mystery of the Cube (1998) and the romantic drama General's Son II (1999), which solidified her transition from television to leading film roles. Shin reached the peak of her stardom in 2001 with the action-comedy My Wife Is a Gangster, where she starred as Eun-jin, a tough underworld boss who marries a mild-mannered civil servant to honor her dying sister's wish, leading to comedic clashes between her criminal life and domestic expectations. The film became a massive commercial hit, attracting over 5.18 million viewers nationwide and ranking fourth among South Korea's highest-grossing films that year, while its success extended across Asia through widespread distribution.[13] This role, combining physical comedy and empowerment, established Shin as a versatile leading actress capable of carrying blockbuster entertainments, further cementing her status in the industry during the early 2000s.Hiatus and return
Following her marriage in 2003, Shin Eun-kyung took a hiatus from acting to focus on family life, including the birth of her son the following year. This personal transition influenced the timing of her career break, marking a pause after a decade of prominent roles in film and television. She returned to the screen in 2005 with selective projects, including the mystery thriller Diary of June, where she portrayed detective Chu Ja-young investigating a series of child murders linked to supernatural elements.[14] That same year, she appeared in the comedy Mr. Housewife, playing the working wife Soo-hee opposite Han Suk-kyu's househusband character, highlighting domestic role reversals in a lighthearted quiz show narrative.[15] These roles signaled her gradual re-entry into the industry after her brief absence. A pivotal comeback came in 2010 with the MBC drama Flames of Ambition, in which Shin starred as Yun Na-young, a ruthless, money-obsessed mother-in-law entangled in a chaebol family's succession battles.[16] The series, a classic makjang tale of ambition and betrayal, allowed her to deliver a commanding villainous performance that re-established her as a versatile leading actress.[17] Her portrayal earned her the Top Excellence Award for Actress at the 2010 MBC Drama Awards, underscoring the project's impact on reviving her career momentum.[18]Recent roles
Shin Eun-kyung's acting projects in the 2010s and 2020s have primarily featured her in supporting roles within high-profile Korean television dramas, where she often embodies resilient, scheming women caught in webs of ambition, betrayal, and family conflict. These selections reflect a deliberate focus on narratives that demand emotional depth and moral complexity, allowing her to leverage her experience in melodramatic storytelling. Her parallel career as a professor has influenced this selective approach, enabling her to prioritize roles that align with her artistic interests rather than volume of work.[9] A standout role came in the SBS series The Penthouse: War in Life (2020–2021), where she portrayed Kang Ma-ri, a determined mother and resident of the elite Hera Palace who engages in ruthless maneuvers to secure her daughter's future amid escalating rivalries. Spanning three seasons, the drama became a massive hit, with its first season finale drawing a nationwide viewership rating of 28.8 percent according to Nielsen Korea, underscoring its widespread appeal through intense plot twists and ensemble dynamics. Shin's performance as the ambitious yet vulnerable Ma-ri contributed to the show's exploration of class warfare and maternal sacrifice, earning praise for her nuanced depiction of a character torn between loyalty and self-preservation.[19] Building on that momentum, Shin reunited with The Penthouse writer Kim Soon-ok and several co-stars for The Escape of the Seven: War for Survival (2023), playing Cha Ju-ran, an obstetrician-gynecologist entangled in a lavish yet toxic romance with an older tycoon, Bang Chil-sung. The thriller, centered on seven flawed individuals racing to uncover dark secrets, peaked at a 7.7 percent nationwide rating for its fourth episode, per Nielsen Korea, though it faced competition and mixed reception for its exaggerated style. She reprised the role in the 2024 spin-off The Escape of the Seven: Resurrection, which delved deeper into resurrection themes and personal vendettas but averaged lower ratings around 4 percent, highlighting ongoing challenges in sustaining viewer engagement post-Penthouse.[20][21][22] Throughout the decade, Shin took on diverse parts that showcased her versatility in genre-driven stories, such as the authoritative Empress Dowager Kang Eun-ran in the historical fantasy The Last Empress (2018), where she commanded scenes as a power-hungry royal manipulating court politics. Earlier, in the mystery thriller The Village: Achiara's Secret (2015), she played Yoon Ji-sook, a community figure harboring secrets in a seemingly idyllic town, adding layers to the narrative's investigation of hidden crimes. These roles mark an evolution from her earlier romantic leads to more antagonistic or pivotal maternal figures, emphasizing cunning survival tactics in high-stakes environments. As of November 2025, no major new acting projects have been announced for Shin.[23]Other activities
Teaching career
In November 2011, Shin Eun-kyung was appointed as a professor in the Acting Arts Department (연기예술학부) at Seoul Hoseo Art College (now known as Seoul Hoseo Arts Practical College), a specialized institution focused on practical training in performing arts.[24][25] The official appointment ceremony occurred on November 14, 2011, at the college's campus in Seoul's Gangseo-gu district, marking her transition into academic mentoring alongside her acting career.[26][27] Since her appointment, Shin has continuously served in this role, providing instruction in acting techniques, performance skills, and related theater education to undergraduate students preparing for professional careers in film and stage.[28] Her tenure, spanning over a decade as of 2025, emphasizes hands-on training in the department's curriculum, which includes practical workshops and performance preparation tailored to the demands of the entertainment industry.[29] This ongoing commitment has positioned her as a key figure in nurturing emerging talent at the college.[30] Shin's extensive acting background informs her pedagogical approach, allowing her to integrate real-world insights from theater and screen roles into classroom instruction and student guidance.[31]Public engagements
Following her return to acting in 2011, Shin Eun-kyung participated in several media interviews that highlighted her professional resilience and industry experiences. In September 2011, she appeared on SBS's "One Night's TV Entertainment," where she openly discussed her decision to undergo jaw line surgery as a means to refresh her public image after a career hiatus, emphasizing the pressures faced by actresses in maintaining visibility.[32] In early 2014, shortly after receiving recognition at the 2013 MBC Drama Awards, Shin gave an exclusive interview to SBS Entertainment News, reflecting on her simultaneous roles in multiple projects like MBC's "Scandal: A Shocking and Immoral Story" and JTBC's "Your Neighbor's Wife." She credited supportive colleagues for helping her navigate professional setbacks, marking a key moment in her post-hiatus promotional efforts.[33] Shin maintained a relatively low public profile in subsequent years, with engagements primarily tied to drama promotions amid occasional controversies. By 2024, she made a notable media appearance as a guest on tvN STORY's entertainment program "The Chairman's People" on February 5, interacting with veteran actors Kim Soo-mi and Kim Yong-gun in a surgeon role-play segment. During the episode, she expressed gratitude to Kim Soo-mi for past support, including mentions in award speeches, and addressed career hurdles like an eye injury sustained during filming, underscoring her enduring commitment to the industry.[34] In 2025, amid limited coverage of her activities, Shin briefly commented in media outlets on the passing of senior actress Kim Soo-mi, sharing affectionate recollections from their joint appearance on "The Chairman's People" the previous year and highlighting the mentorship bonds in Korean entertainment.[35] Overall, her public engagements post-2011 have focused on reflective interviews and selective television spots rather than extensive endorsements or festival panels, reflecting a measured approach to visibility while prioritizing acting commitments.Personal life
Marriage and divorce
Shin Eun-kyung married Kim Jung-soo, a film producer and the CEO of her talent agency Good Player Entertainment, in September 2003.[36] The couple welcomed a son in 2004.[36] The marriage ended after four years when Shin filed for divorce in August 2007, citing a breakdown in trust due to her husband's financial misconduct.[36] Kim had forged documents using Shin's private seal to misappropriate approximately 400 million won (about US$424,800) from another entertainment company without her knowledge, leading to severe economic troubles and personality clashes.[37][36] In a public statement, Shin expressed, "I am overwhelmed with shame to bring you such bad news. Time is needed to overcome the present conflict."[36] She was granted full custody and parental rights over their son.[36] The divorce left Shin saddled with substantial debts from her ex-husband's actions, amounting to hundreds of millions of won, which she was required to repay.[38] This financial strain, compounded by related lawsuits, prompted her to take an extended hiatus from acting to address the personal and legal challenges.[38]Family and health
Shin Eun-kyung gave birth to her only son on July 26, 2004, who was soon diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition involving excess fluid in the brain that has required ongoing medical management. The diagnosis led to significant developmental delays, and by 2013, her son, then nine years old, exhibited cognitive abilities equivalent to a two-year-old.[39] In August 2025, it was reported that her son had been classified with a first-grade disability due to complications including cerebral edema, underscoring the persistent challenges in his care.[40] In 2011, Shin underwent bimaxillary osteotomy, a double jaw surgery aimed at reshaping the facial structure.[41] She publicly expressed regret over the procedure in 2012 during an appearance on the SBS talk show Healing Camp, describing the recovery as agonizing and advising against it for cosmetic reasons alone due to its potential dangers.[42] In a 2024 interview, she further revealed that financial pressures—to cover her younger brother's rent—had motivated the surgery, contradicting her earlier narrative and reinforcing her remorse.[43] As of 2025, Shin maintains a low profile regarding her family life, prioritizing her son's well-being amid continued health struggles while limiting public disclosures to protect their privacy.[44] These personal challenges have occasionally influenced her professional path, contributing to extended career breaks focused on family support.[45]Filmography
Films
Shin Eun-kyung debuted in feature films in 1989 and appeared in over 20 productions through 2025, showcasing a range of roles from dramatic leads to action heroines. Her transition to film in the early 1990s complemented her television work, allowing her to explore more mature characters. Her most recent film role as of November 2025 is a cameo in You Are the Apple of My Eye (2025). The following table lists her film roles chronologically, with roles and brief notes where applicable.| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Guro Arirang | Sook-hee | Debut film. |
| 1991 | This Is the Beginning of Love | Hyun-im | Early supporting role in romantic drama.[9] |
| 1992 | The Lover on the Bicycle | N/A | Romantic comedy appearance. |
| 1994 | Love on a Rainy Day | Paeng Young-mi | Lead in youth romance. |
| 1994 | The Young Man | Jae-yi | Dramatic role in coming-of-age story. |
| 1997 | Downfall | Young-eun | Starred as a prostitute in Im Kwon-taek's drama; her bold performance earned the Best Actress award at the 18th Blue Dragon Film Awards, revitalizing her career after a scandal. |
| 1998 | A Mystery of the Cube | Shin Tae-kyung | Lead in thriller. |
| 1999 | The Ring Virus | Sun-joo | Adaptation of Japanese horror; played the protagonist facing supernatural threats. |
| 2000 | Maruyama the Nordic | Maruyama Reporter | Comedy role in Japanese-Korean co-production. |
| 2000 | General Hospital: The Movie | Kang Eun-soo | Extension of her TV role into film. |
| 2001 | My Wife Is a Gangster | Cha Eun-jin | Iconic lead as a tough gangster hiding her identity from her husband; the action-comedy was a major commercial success, grossing over 21 billion KRW and popularizing the "gangster wife" trope in Korean cinema. |
| 2001 | This Is Law | Kang Min-joo | Lead in vigilante thriller. |
| 2002 | A Perfect Match | Kim Hyo-jin | Romantic comedy lead.) |
| 2003 | My Wife Is a Gangster 2 | Cha Eun-jin | Reprised gangster role amid personal challenges during filming, including injury. |
| 2003 | The Uninvited | Kang Soo-jin | Horror thriller lead. |
| 2003 | Blue | Kang Soo-jin | Additional horror role.[9] |
| 2005 | Mr. Housewife | Go Soo-hee | Comedy about gender roles. |
| 2005 | Diary of June | Chu Ja-young | Supernatural thriller; investigated mysterious deaths. |
| 2006 | My Wife Is a Gangster 3 | Cha Eun-jin | Third installment in the series; focused on family dynamics. |
| 2010 | Love, in Between | Han So-young | Romantic drama lead opposite Top. |
| 2013 | Born to Sing | Moon Bo-ri's mother | Special appearance in musical drama. |
| 2014 | The Plan | Se-hee | Thriller about corporate intrigue. |
| 2018 | My Kitchen Lover | N/A | Main role in romantic comedy.[9] |
| 2019 | Shiho | Soo-jung | Drama role. |
| 2025 | You Are the Apple of My Eye | Jin U's mother | Cameo in coming-of-age romance.[46] |
Television series
Shin Eun-kyung made her acting debut in television with a role in the 1988 KBS drama Door of Desire. Over the following decades, she built a prolific career in South Korean dramas, often taking on leading and supporting roles in series spanning medical, family, romance, and thriller genres across major networks like KBS, MBC, and SBS. Her breakthrough came with the main role of nurse Lee Jeong-hwa in the long-running medical drama General Hospital (1994), which aired for 92 episodes and marked her rise to prominence in the 1990s. In recent years, she has been recognized for intense villainous portrayals, including Kang Ma-ri in the popular mystery thriller The Penthouse: War in Life (2020–2021), earning her the Excellent Actress award at the 2020 SBS Drama Awards, and Cha Ju-ran in the revenge series The Escape of the Seven (2023–2024). The following table provides a chronological overview of her television series roles, compiled from verified filmography sources. This list focuses on scripted dramas and excludes variety shows or special appearances unless integral to a series.| Year | Title | Role | Network | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Door of Desire | Unknown | KBS | Debut role[47] |
| 1990 | Pacheonmu (Dance of Breaking Sky) | Queen Jeongsun (Danjong's queen) | KBS2 | Support role (50 episodes)[9] |
| 1991 | Thief's Wife | Unknown | KBS2 | Support role (10 episodes)[9] |
| 1991 | Velvet Grass of the Old Days | Unknown | KBS2 | Support role[47] |
| 1992 | Black Self-Portrait | Unknown | KBS2 | Support role[47] |
| 1993 | Pilot | Do Jin-sook (KAL Chief of Staff) | MBC | Support role (16 episodes)[9] |
| 1993 | The Sun and the Moon | Unknown | MBC | Support role (104 episodes)[9] |
| 1993 | January | Unknown | KBS2 | Support role[47] |
| 1994 | The Last Game (The Final Match) | Kim Soo-jin | MBC | Support role (16 episodes)[9] |
| 1994 | General Hospital | Lee Jeong-hwa | MBC | Main role (92 episodes); breakthrough medical drama |
| 1995 | Woman | Yong-seul | MBC | Main role (16 episodes)[9] |
| 1998 | Song of the Wind | Jung Sun-joo | KBS2 | Main role (30 episodes)[9] |
| 1999 | Wave | Na Yun-suk | SBS | Main role (70 episodes)[9] |
| 2003 | The King's Woman | Kang Ah | SBS | Support role (42 episodes)[9] |
| 2007 | Bad Couple | Kim Dang-ja | SBS | Main role (16 episodes); romantic comedy |
| 2008 | Mom's Dead Upset | Na Yeong-soo | KBS2 | Main role (66 episodes); family drama, three award nominations[9][48] |
| 2008 | White Lies | Seo Eun-yeong | MBC | Main role (159 episodes)[9] |
| 2010 | Flames of Desire | Yun Na-yeong | MBC | Main role (50 episodes)[9] |
| 2012 | Still You | Cha Soon-yeong | SBS | Main role (124 episodes)[9] |
| 2013 | Scandal | Yoon Hwa-yeong | MBC | Support role (36 episodes); Best Actress award at 2013 MBC Drama Awards[9][49] |
| 2013 | Your Neighbor's Wife | Hong Kyung-joo | SBS | Main role (22 episodes)[9] |
| 2014 | Family Secrets | Han Jung-yeon | SBS | Main role (103 episodes)[9] |
| 2015 | The Time We Were Not in Love | Goo Yun-jung | SBS | Guest role (Episode 3, 16 episodes total)[9] |
| 2015 | Oh My Ghost | Jo Hye-yeong (Na Bon's mother) | tvN | Support role (16 episodes)[9] |
| 2015 | The Village: Achiara's Secret | Yoon Ji-sook | SBS | Main role (16 episodes)[9] |
| 2017 | Drama Special Season 8: A Bad Family | Park Myung Hwa | KBS2 | Main role (1 episode)[9] |
| 2018 | The Last Empress | Kang Eun-ran | SBS | Main role (52 episodes)[9] |
| 2020 | The Penthouse: War in Life (Season 1) | Kang Ma-ri | SBS | Support role (21 episodes); mystery thriller |
| 2021 | The Penthouse: War in Life (Season 2) | Kang Ma-ri | SBS | Support role (13 episodes) |
| 2021 | The Penthouse: War in Life (Season 3) | Kang Ma-ri | SBS | Support role (14 episodes) |
| 2023 | The Escape of the Seven: War for Survival | Cha Ju-ran | SBS | Main role (17 episodes); revenge thriller[50] |
| 2024 | The Escape of the Seven: Resurrection | Cha Ju-ran | SBS | Main role (16 episodes)[51] |
Variety shows and other appearances
Shin Eun-kyung has made select guest appearances on South Korean variety and talk shows, often discussing her acting career and personal life. In 2007, she featured on SBS's Yashim Manman (episode 213), engaging in conversations about marriage and relationships alongside guests like Park Sang-min and Ryu Soo-young. In 2012, she made her debut solo talk show appearance on Healing Camp: I'm Not Laughing on SBS, where she opened up about her 27-year career, feeling like an outsider in the industry, and lacking close friends. Her first regular variety role came in 2014 on JTBC's The Man Who Satisfies 99 Women, serving as a fixed panelist assisting host Shin Dong-yup in a program focused on divorced individuals and dating. Beyond television, Shin has appeared in several music videos, contributing to their narrative storytelling. She starred in WAX's 1998 ballad "Putting On Makeup" (Hwajangeul Gocigo), portraying a central role in a heartfelt drama alongside actors Yoo Hae-jin and Kim Young-ho, which garnered significant attention for its emotional depth. In 2005, following her return to acting after childbirth, she led KCM's music video for "Smile Again" from his second album, acting opposite Jung Joon-ho and Kim Hyo-jin in a poignant love story produced on a large scale with over 200 extras. She reprised her involvement that year in KCM's follow-up "Episode 2," continuing the romantic theme. Shin began her entertainment career in the early 1990s through television commercials, establishing her presence before transitioning to acting. Notable ads include the 1990s campaign for CC Club cosmetics, where she embodied a youthful, trendy image in a Rome-set scenario. She also featured in Haitai's Fresh 100 Apple Juice commercial, humorously interacting with her mirrored self to promote the product. In 2006, she co-starred in Tasters Choice coffee ads with Jang Jin-young, Shin Ha-kyun, and Kim Sang-kyung, highlighting everyday relationships amid her preparations for new film projects.Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | TV Journal Star of the Year Awards | Excellence Award, TV Acting | General Hospital | Won |
| 1994 | MBC Drama Awards | Excellence Award, Actress | General Hospital | Won |
| 1995 | 31st Baeksang Arts Awards | Best New Actress (TV) | General Hospital | Won |
| 1997 | 18th Blue Dragon Film Awards | Best Leading Actress | Downfall | Won |
| 1997 | 18th Blue Dragon Film Awards | Popular Star Award | Downfall | Won |
| 1998 | 34th Baeksang Arts Awards | Most Popular Actress (Film) | — | Won |
| 1999 | 20th Blue Dragon Film Awards | Best Leading Actress | The Ring Virus | Nominated |
| 2001 | 22nd Blue Dragon Film Awards | Popular Star Award | My Wife Is a Gangster | Won |
| 2002 | 1st Korean Film Awards | Best Actress | A Perfect Match | Nominated |
| 2007 | SBS Drama Awards | Top Excellence Award, Actress | Bad Couple | Nominated |
| 2007 | SBS Drama Awards | Top 10 Stars | Bad Couple | Won |
| 2008 | KBS Drama Awards | Excellence Award, Actress in a Serial Drama | Mom's Dead Upset | Nominated |
| 2009 | MBC Drama Awards | Top Excellence Award, Actress | White Lie | Nominated |
| 2010 | MBC Drama Awards | Top Excellence Award, Actress | Flames of Desire | Won |
| 2012 | SBS Drama Awards | Excellence Award, Actress in a Weekend/Serial Drama | Still You | Won |
| 2012 | SBS Drama Awards | Top 10 Stars | Still You | Won |
| 2013 | 21st Korean Culture and Entertainment Awards | Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Drama | The Scandal | Won |
| 2013 | MBC Drama Awards | Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Special Project Drama | The Scandal | Won |
| 2020 | SBS Drama Awards | Excellence Award, Actress in a Mid-Length Drama | The Penthouse: War in Life | Won |
| 2021 | 57th Baeksang Arts Awards | Best Supporting Actress (TV) | The Penthouse: War in Life | Nominated |