Shin Ye-eun
Shin Ye-eun (born January 18, 1998) is a South Korean actress known for her roles in web series and television dramas.[1] She made her acting debut in 2018 as Do Ha-na, a high school student, in the web series A-Teen.[2] The role brought her early recognition for her innocent, first-love image among young actresses.[2] Under NPIO Entertainment, Shin has portrayed diverse characters, from Yoon Jae-in, a girl with a scarred past, in He Is Psychometric (2019) to the young antagonist Park Yeon-jin in Netflix's The Glory (2023), for which she received praise for her "masterclass in villainy."[2][3] Her performance as the talented trainee singer Heo Yeong-seo in the 2024 TVING series Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born showcased her dedication, including eight hours of daily pansori vocal training, and contributed to the drama's success.[3] In 2025, she co-starred in the JTBC romantic drama A Hundred Memories, which achieved an 8.1% nationwide viewership rating, and starred as a key figure in Disney+'s historical series The Murky Stream.[3] Shin's career highlights include winning Best New Actress at the 2nd Blue Dragon Series Awards in 2023 for Revenge of Others.[2]Personal background
Early life
Shin Ye-eun was born on January 18, 1998, in Anyang, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.[1][2] Her interest in the performing arts was sparked at a young age by her family's involvement in theater, particularly her grandfather, who was a theatrical actor.[2][4] She often watched his performances, which influenced her early aspirations toward acting.[2] In middle school, she switched from playing string instruments to pursuing acting, auditioned for agencies like SM and JYP Entertainment, and briefly trained as a JYP trainee before opting out due to challenges with dance.[4] Shin spent her childhood and teenage years in Anyang, where family discussions and exposure to the arts through her grandfather nurtured her passion for performance.[2] This environment provided a foundational influence on her creative development before she pursued formal training.[4]Education
Shin Ye-eun attended Anyang Arts High School in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, where she specialized in the Department of Theater and Film, focusing on acting training.[2][5] This specialized high school program provided her with foundational skills in performance arts, preparing her for further studies in the field. Influenced by familial ties to theater, she pursued this arts-focused education to nurture her interest in acting.[2] Following her high school graduation, Shin enrolled at Sungkyunkwan University in Seoul, majoring in the Department of Performing Arts within the College of Art.[6][5] Her university studies emphasized practical and theoretical aspects of acting and performance, allowing her to deepen her expertise amid a demanding schedule. Despite debuting as an actress in 2018, she balanced coursework by attending classes and participating in academic activities, such as school events in 2019.[7] However, her rising career commitments have delayed her graduation from the Department of Performing Arts.[8][9]Career
2018–2021: Debut and early roles
Shin Ye-eun made her acting debut in 2018 as Do Ha-na, a thoughtful high school student navigating friendship and young love, in the web series A-Teen. The series, which explored the lives of teenagers during their final high school year, garnered significant popularity among young audiences and marked her breakthrough into the industry.[10][2] Prior to her debut, she appeared as a cover model for the Korean college magazine College Tomorrow No. 840, which helped draw initial attention from scouts. That same year, following the success of A-Teen, she signed an exclusive contract with JYP Entertainment, where she had been training as an actress. In 2019, after JYP closed its acting division, she signed with NPIO Entertainment. Her early visibility also extended to music videos, including a leading role in DAY6's "Shoot Me," which showcased her expressive presence alongside the band's performance.[11][2][12] In 2019, Shin took on her first leading television role as Yoon Jae-in, a resilient police officer hiding a traumatic past, in the fantasy romance series He Is Psychometric opposite GOT7's Jinyoung. The drama blended mystery and emotional depth, allowing her to demonstrate versatility beyond teen roles. She also reprised her role as Do Ha-na in a supporting capacity in the sequel web series A-Teen 2, which continued the story with a new group of high schoolers while featuring returning characters. These projects solidified her image as a fresh face in youth-oriented narratives, earning her the affectionate nickname "Nation’s First Love" for her relatable portrayals of first crushes and adolescence.[13][14][2] Expanding into hosting, Shin co-hosted KBS's Music Bank from July 2019 to July 2020 alongside Golden Child's Bomin, where she brought energetic charm to the music program during a transitional period in her career. She also served as an MC for the 2020 KBS Song Festival, sharing the stage with TVXQ's Yunho and ASTRO's Cha Eun-woo to present year-end performances. In 2020, she starred as Kim Sol Ah, an optimistic animal lover, in the romantic comedy Welcome (also known as Meow, the Secret Boy) with INFINITE's L, further highlighting her comedic timing in a fantasy setting about human-animal bonds.[15][16][17] By 2021, Shin ventured into radio broadcasting as the DJ for KBS Cool FM's Shin Ye Eun's Volume Up, airing from October 2021 to 2022, where she engaged listeners with casual conversations and music selections, building on her hosting experience to connect more personally with fans. This period laid the groundwork for her growing presence across acting, variety, and media roles.[18]2022–2025: Breakthrough and rising stardom
In 2022, Shin Ye-eun achieved a significant breakthrough with her lead role as Ok Chan-mi in the Disney+ web series Revenge of Others, portraying a determined high school shooter investigating her twin brother's mysterious death amid school bullying and supernatural elements. Her performance, blending vulnerability and resilience, garnered critical acclaim and marked her transition from supporting roles to starring status in the thriller genre. For this role, she won the Best New Actress award at the 2nd Blue Dragon Series Awards in 2023, solidifying her rising prominence in the industry.[19] Building on this momentum, Shin portrayed the teenage version of the antagonist Park Yeon-jin in the Netflix series The Glory (2022–2023), a revenge drama that highlighted her ability to embody complex, villainous characters with nuanced emotional depth. Her depiction of the bullying ringleader contributed to the series' global success, boosting her international visibility as it topped charts in multiple countries and amassed over 600 million viewing hours worldwide.[20] This role expanded her fanbase beyond South Korea, showcasing her versatility in intense psychological narratives.[21] In 2024, Shin took on a prominent role as Yeong-seo, a ambitious rival in the historical drama Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born, a coming-of-age story set in post-war Korea following a young woman's pursuit of stardom in traditional theater. The series, praised for its portrayal of artistic struggles and female camaraderie, further demonstrated her range in period pieces, earning her recognition for authentic emotional delivery in ensemble dynamics.[22] Transitioning to contemporary settings in 2025, she appeared as Seo Jong-hee in the JTBC series A Hundred Memories, playing a charismatic bus conductor navigating friendship and romance in 1980s Korea, which achieved an 8.1% nationwide viewership rating and highlighted her lighter, relatable side in romantic comedies.[23] That same year, she starred as Choi Eun, a key figure in the resistance, in Disney+'s historical series The Murky Stream, set in lawless Joseon era. She made her film debut as a violinist in Secret: Untold Melody, a romantic drama exploring love and sacrifice through music, where her elegant portrayal added emotional layers to the narrative.[24] Overall, this period cemented her trajectory as a versatile actress, adeptly shifting from revenge thrillers and historical dramas to romances and film, while navigating increased stardom and industry challenges.[3]Modeling and endorsements
Modeling career
Shin Ye-eun launched her modeling career in 2018 as the cover model for the Korean college magazine College Tomorrow No. 840, showcasing her fresh and innocent visuals in a photoshoot that quickly gained viral attention online.[25] This debut appearance aligned closely with her entry into acting, highlighting her natural charm and establishing her as a promising talent in the fashion space.[2] The success of the College Tomorrow feature led to her scouting and signing with JYP Entertainment later that year, marking her transition to professional modeling under a major agency's support.[25] Under JYP, she participated in various photoshoots and magazine features that emphasized her "Nation's First Love" image, characterized by youthful elegance and approachable beauty, as noted in media profiles.[26] These early works often captured her in soft, romantic aesthetics, reinforcing her reputation for embodying an idealized, first-crush appeal.[27] By 2025, Shin Ye-eun's modeling style had evolved to reflect greater versatility, moving beyond purely youthful portrayals to include more mature and diverse expressions. For instance, her January 2025 Dazed photoshoot in Sapporo, Japan, blended cozy warmth with playful elegance, demonstrating her adaptability across settings and moods.[28] Similarly, her December 2024 Vogue Korea feature presented contrasting looks—a sleek, stoic suit and an oriental-inspired dress with a warm smile—showcasing her range from sophisticated poise to gentle allure.[29] This progression underscores her growth as a model capable of embodying varied fashion narratives.Brand endorsements
Shin Ye-eun began securing brand endorsement deals early in her career, starting with cosmetics and expanding into fashion and skincare as her profile grew. In May 2019, she was selected as the model for Anna Sui's Fantasia Mermaid perfume collection, featured prominently in a Vogue Korea editorial that highlighted her fresh, youthful appeal aligning with the brand's whimsical aesthetic.[30][31] The following year, in 2020, Innisfree appointed her as a brand ambassador for its Jeju Wang Cherry Blossom Tone-Up Cream line, where she appeared in promotional campaigns emphasizing natural, glowing skin suited to her emerging image as a relatable young actress.[32] This deal marked her entry into skincare endorsements, leveraging her clean and approachable persona. In May 2021, H&M chose her as the face of its "Let's Change" spring-summer campaign in Korea, promoting sustainable fashion through editorials and videos showcasing casual, eco-friendly outfits that resonated with her youthful, everyday style.[33] In January 2024, she was selected to endorse Le Coq Sportif's tennis collection. A month later, she endorsed the South Korean brand J.A. Her endorsement portfolio expanded significantly after her breakout role in the 2022–2023 Netflix series The Glory, which elevated her visibility and appeal to luxury beauty and fashion brands. In March 2023, Charmzone Cosmetics named her its brand ambassador, capitalizing on her increased popularity from the drama to promote premium skincare products in a series of pictorials and ads that positioned her as an elegant, modern icon.[34] This partnership underscored how her dramatic range enhanced her marketability in the beauty sector. By 2025, she continued this trajectory with MICHAA's summer campaign, "The Letter to Summer," where she served as muse for the third installment, embodying vibrant, seasonal styles in promotional visuals that highlighted her versatile charm and boosted the brand's youthful image.[35] In September 2025, she became a promotional ambassador for Hope Friend's Kia Countermeasures. Additionally, she featured in MICHAA's fall 2025 campaign, proposing a refined classic mood through elegant lines and autumnal colors.[36][37] These endorsements, particularly those following The Glory, have played a key role in solidifying Shin's status as a marketable figure in South Korea's advertising landscape, bridging her acting career with commercial influence and attracting brands seeking her blend of accessibility and sophistication.[34]Film and television
Films
Shin Ye-eun made her feature film debut in the 2025 South Korean romantic fantasy Secret: Untold Melody, directed by Seo Yoo-min and released on January 28.[38][39] The film, a remake of the 2007 Taiwanese movie Secret, follows a promising pianist grappling with a career setback who encounters mysterious musical inspirations at a Korean music college.[38][39] In the film, Ye-eun stars as In-hee, a bold and confident violin major serving as the class representative for the instrumental music department.[38][24] Her character becomes drawn to the protagonist, Kim Yoo-joon (played by Doh Kyung-soo), after frequently locking eyes with him on campus, adding layers of youthful intrigue and romantic tension to the story.[24][40] To prepare for the role, Ye-eun focused on authentic details like violin bowing techniques, consulting professionals to enhance her performance as a skilled musician.[39]Television series
Shin Ye-eun began her television career with supporting roles in mystery and romance genres before securing leading parts in high-profile dramas across broadcast and streaming platforms. Her performances have showcased her versatility, from vulnerable protagonists to complex antagonists, contributing to her rising prominence in the industry.[41][42]| Year | Title | Role | Network | Episodes | Role Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | He Is Psychometric | Yoon Jae-in | tvN | 16 | Lead |
| 2020 | Welcome (also known as Meow, the Secret Boy) | Kim Sol-ah | KBS2 | 12 | Lead |
| 2022–2023 | The Glory | Park Yeon-jin (teenage) | Netflix | 16 | Supporting |
| 2024 | Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born | Heo Yeong-seo | tvN | 12 | Supporting |
| 2025 | The Murky Stream | Choi Eun | Disney+ | 9 | Lead |
| 2025 | A Hundred Memories | Seo Jong-hee | JTBC | 12 | Lead |
Web series
Shin Ye-eun's entry into acting was marked by her roles in web series, where she excelled in youth-centric narratives that resonated with young audiences through relatable portrayals of adolescence, friendship, and personal growth. These digital projects, often shorter and more accessible than traditional broadcasts, helped establish her as a rising talent in South Korea's online drama scene. Her debut came in the 2018 web drama A-Teen, where she portrayed Do Ha-na, a high school student navigating crushes, friendships, and academic pressures in a coming-of-age story centered on teenage life.[47] The series, consisting of 24 short episodes airing on Naver TV Cast, captured the everyday vibrancy of youth and propelled her visibility among digital viewers.[48] Shin reprised the role of Do Ha-na in the 2019 sequel A-Teen 2, a 20-episode continuation that delved into the characters' final high school year, emphasizing themes of impending adulthood, romantic entanglements, and exam stress.[49] Both installments highlighted her natural chemistry in ensemble casts, contributing to the series' popularity as a benchmark for relatable teen dramas on streaming platforms.[50] In 2022, Shin took on the lead role of Ok Chan-mi in Revenge of Others, a 12-episode thriller web series streamed on Disney+ (with Korean distribution via Wavve), where her character investigates her twin brother's suspicious death amid school bullying and moral dilemmas.[51] This performance showcased her range in intense, youth-oriented suspense, blending vulnerability with determination, and garnered international recognition for addressing contemporary issues like peer pressure and justice in a high school setting.[52][50]| Year | Title | Role | Episodes | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | A-Teen | Do Ha-na | 24 | Naver TV Cast[48] |
| 2019 | A-Teen 2 | Do Ha-na | 20 | Naver TV Cast[49] |
| 2022 | Revenge of Others | Ok Chan-mi | 12 | Disney+/Wavve[52] |
Other appearances
Hosting
Shin Ye-eun began her hosting career in July 2019, when she was appointed as a co-host for the popular KBS2 music program Music Bank, a weekly chart show featuring K-pop performances and artist interviews.[53] She shared the role with Golden Child member Choi Bo-min, bringing a fresh dynamic to the show with her youthful and engaging on-screen presence that appealed to the program's young audience.[54] Their tenure lasted until July 2020.[55][56] In December 2020, Shin Ye-eun expanded her hosting portfolio by emceeing the annual 2020 KBS Song Festival, a major year-end music event broadcast live from KBS Hall in Seoul.[57] She co-hosted alongside TVXQ's Yunho and ASTRO's Cha Eun-woo, guiding viewers through a star-studded lineup of performances while showcasing her poised and charismatic delivery in a high-profile setting.[58][59] This appearance highlighted her versatility as a host, blending her experience from Music Bank with the festival's grand, celebratory atmosphere.[60] In December 2024, Shin Ye-eun co-hosted the 2024 Music Bank Global Festival in Japan on December 14–15, alongside actor Moon Sang-min and LE SSERAFIM member Hong Eun-chae.[61] She also co-hosted the Japan leg of the 2024 KBS Song Festival on December 19, with the same co-hosts, featuring performances by global K-pop acts.[62]Music video appearances
Shin Ye-eun first appeared in a music video as the female lead in Day6's "Shoot Me," released on June 26, 2018, where she portrayed a young woman entangled in a strained romantic dynamic that mirrors the track's intense lyrics about emotional confrontation and heartbreak.[63][64] Her role emphasized subtle expressions of vulnerability and tension, marking an early showcase of her on-screen charisma before her acting debut.[64] In 2019, she featured prominently as the female protagonist in Brown Eyed Soul's "Right" (featuring SOLE), released on September 2, which narrates a story of relational affirmation and everyday romance.[65][66] Shin's portrayal involved tender, relatable interactions that complemented the song's soulful R&B vibe, highlighting her natural poise and appeal in a lighthearted, couple-focused visual narrative.[66]Radio shows
Shin Ye-eun hosted the radio program Shin Ye-eun's Volume Up on KBS Cool FM, a popular evening slot dedicated to music and entertainment, from November 1, 2021, to July 31, 2022.[18][67] The show broadcast daily from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. KST, replacing the previous host Kang Han-na and drawing on Ye-eun's rising popularity as an actress to attract a young audience.[18][68] During her tenure, Ye-eun curated segments blending upbeat music plays from K-pop and contemporary artists with casual talk sessions, where she shared personal anecdotes and discussed trending topics to foster a relaxed, conversational atmosphere.[68] Guest appearances by fellow celebrities, such as actors and musicians, added variety through interviews and light-hearted games, emphasizing her approachable demeanor and quick wit in an audio-only format.[67] Listeners frequently engaged via calls and messages, praising her soothing voice for creating an intimate connection that highlighted her natural charm beyond visual media.[68] The program concluded with Heize taking over as host in August 2022, marking the end of Ye-eun's radio stint amid her growing acting commitments.[67] She briefly returned as a special DJ for Volume Up from October 28 to November 3, 2024.[69]Discography
Soundtrack appearances
Shin Ye-eun has made notable contributions to Korean drama and show soundtracks through her vocal performances, often releasing solo tracks or collaborations that complement the emotional narratives of the productions. Her OST work highlights her versatile voice, blending soft ballads with heartfelt melodies suitable for romantic and slice-of-life themes. In 2020, she released her debut OST single "Shooting Star" (별똥별) as Part 12 of the soundtrack for the KBS2 drama Meow, the Secret Boy (also known as Welcome), where she provided the lead vocals for this romantic ballad composed by Hwang Yong-joo. The song captures the tender moments of the series' storyline involving human-animal bonds and budding romance.[70] More recently, in 2024, Shin Ye-eun collaborated with former Wonder Girls member Sunye on "Maybe," featured as Part 2 of the OST for the musical television program Show Musical Dream High. This duet revives the classic track from the original Dream High series, infusing it with fresh harmonies to evoke nostalgia and aspiration in the context of the show's performing arts competition format.[71]| Year | Song Title | Drama/Show | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | "Shooting Star" (별똥별) | Meow, the Secret Boy OST Part 12 | Solo |
| 2024 | "Maybe" | Show Musical Dream High OST Part 2 | Featured (with Sunye) |
Awards and nominations
Awards
Shin Ye-eun has received recognition for her performances in several acclaimed series, earning two major awards in 2023 for her breakout roles. At the 2nd Blue Dragon Series Awards held on July 19, 2023, she won the Best Rookie Actress award for her portrayal of Ok Chan-mi, a determined high school student seeking justice in the mystery thriller Revenge of Others.[72] Later that year, on December 30, 2023, Shin Ye-eun received the Excellence Acting Award in the Actress category at the 9th APAN Star Awards for her dual lead roles in Revenge of Others as Ok Chan-mi and in The Secret Romantic Guesthouse as Yoon Dan-oh, the spirited owner of a historical boarding house.[73] On December 20, 2024, she won Best Supporting Actress (TV Drama) at the FUNdex Awards for her role as Heo Yeong-seo in Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born.[74]| Year | Award | Category | Work | Ceremony |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Best Rookie Actress | Best Rookie Actress | Revenge of Others | 2nd Blue Dragon Series Awards |
| 2023 | Excellence Acting Award | Actress | Revenge of Others and The Secret Romantic Guesthouse | 9th APAN Star Awards |
| 2024 | Best Supporting Actress (TV Drama) | Best Supporting Actress (TV Drama) | Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born | FUNdex Awards |
Nominations
For her leading role as Heo Yeong-seo in the tvN drama Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born, Shin Ye-eun earned a nomination at the 11th APAN Star Awards in 2024. She was recognized in the Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries Genre/Drama category, highlighting her portrayal of a talented trainee in a traditional theater company.[75]| Year | Award Ceremony | Category | Nominated Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 11th APAN Star Awards | Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries Genre/Drama | Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born |