Shin began her career as a model for the teen magazine KiKi in 1998, under her birth name, Yang Min-a.[6] Without her knowledge, her friend applied her to the magazine's model competition, where she got first place.[7] She first made a name for herself starring in commercials for brands such as Samsung[8] and Korea Telecom 018, in which her line "love moves about" gained popularity amongst Korean youth.[7]
Along with Kim Hyo-jin, Kim Min-hee, and Yang Mi-ra [ko], she was considered one of the "four teenage commercial stars",[8] and a representative of the "N generation" (a Korean analogue to the millennial generation).[9] She has since become one of the most in-demand and highest paid commercial endorsers in South Korea.[10]
Shin started acting by starring in music videos.[8] In 2000, she was cast in the high-budget music video for Jo Sung-mo's "Do You Know", as a Vietnamese girl who falls in love with a Korean soldier during the Vietnam War.[20][21] Ahead of her film debut in Volcano High, she adopted the stage name Shin Min-a, to avoid confusion with the actress Yang Mi-ra.[22] While Volcano High started production earlier, her first appearance as an actress was in the melodrama Beautiful Days.[23] She took five months of acting lessons in preparation for her role. Regarding it, she stated to The Dong-A Ilbo: "It was a completely different role than my regular image [...] at first, it was awkward, but I'm confident I won't get criticized for 'clumsy acting.'"[24]
In 2003, she took the main role in the college romance movie Madeleine with Jo In-sung.[25] For her role as a hairdresser, she practiced hairdressing for three months before the movie's filming went underway.[25] She then took on her first main TV role as a boxer in the series Punch, training under the wing of the boxer Kim Ju-hee for two months.[26] The drama's director, Lee Hyun-jik, praised her, saying, "Min-a might be a rookie actor, but she's so enthusiastic sometimes we worry someone might get hurt, and she also excels in expressing emotions."[27] Her role earned her a New Star Award at the 2003 SBS Drama Awards.[28]
As Shin entered her mid-twenties, she began showcasing more maturity in her choice of roles. In Go Go 70s, Shin played a sexy counterculture singer[35][36] and won numerous accolades for her portrayal. She then acted as an unfaithful wife in The Naked Kitchen,[37] and a cynical young woman in search of her father in Sisters on the Road, a critically acclaimed indie film which also stars fellow actress and close friend Gong Hyo-jin.[38] But Shin became best known for her portrayals of supernatural horror icons revamped into endearingly innocent yet spunky heroines in the rom-com My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho (2010),[39] and the historical drama Arang and the Magistrate (2012).[40][41][42]
In September 2012, Shin entered the free agent market after her exclusive contracts with AM Entertainment have expired.[43] In November 2012, Shin signed an exclusive contract with talent agency O& Entertainment.[44]
In 2015, Shin and So Ji-sub were cast in the romantic comedy series Oh My Venus.[51] For her character, an overweight lawyer, Shin underwent a three-hour makeup/prosthetic session every shoot.[52] Shin won Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries and with So Ji-sub, Shin won Best Couple Award from 2015 KBS Drama Awards.[53] She also won the Outstanding Korean Actress award at the 11th Seoul International Drama Awards.[54]
In 2016, Shin was cast opposite Lee Je-hoon in the fantasy melodrama Tomorrow, With You, portraying a 30-year-old amateur photographer who finds out that her better half can time travel. The drama was fully pre-produced and premiered in February 2017.[55][56]
In 2019, Shin returned to the small screen after three years. She acted in the political drama Chief of Staff opposite Lee Jung-jae; as Kang Seon-yeong, a lawyer turned politician.[60][61] In winter 2019, Shin reprised her role for the second season.[62][63][64]
In 2021, Shin reunited with director Yoo Je-won in Hometown-Cha-Cha-Cha, starring Kim Seon-ho and Lee Sang-yi. She played the role Yoon Hye-jin, a dentist who moved from the city to open a clinic in the seaside village of Gongjin. It was a remake of 2004 film Mr. Handy, Mr. Hong, which starred Uhm Jung-hwa and Kim Joo-hyuk. The series became a domestic hit with audience ratings peaking at 13.322% and went on to become one of the highest-rated television series on Korean cable television history.[65] Following its release on Netflix, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha became one of the platform's most-watched non-English television shows. It remained on Netflix's non-English popular television show list for 16 weeks, and reached the top 10 charts in more than 20 countries.[66][67] It also on Netflix's Top 10 Chart for television shows for more than two months from its last episode.[68][69]
Shin was cast in the movie Our Season in 2020,[73] which released in 2023.[74] The film was her first big screen role in three years after the thriller Diva.[75] Playing a woman whose dead mother gets a "trip from heaven" to visit her, Shin chose to appear in the film because of its heartwarming feel and relatable subject matter.[76] She played against type with a gloomier character, as in her previous project, Our Blues—explaining her choice, she stated that she wanted to play a variety of roles.[76] A writer for the Korean news outlet Dispatch, reviewing the movie, said Shin's performance with Kim Hae-sook was "like seeing a real mother and daughter".[77]
Others
After her travels were documented on the cable channel O'live in 2008,[78] Shin published a book titled Shin Min-a's French Diary in 2009.[79]
On 22 July 2015, Shin's agency, Mother Company Entertainment, and Kim Woo-bin's agency, Sidus HQ, confirmed their artists' relationship. They met each other as models for the same fashion brand two months prior.[82][83][84]
Philanthropy
In 2010, Shin donated ₩50 million to build Korea's first multicultural school in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province.[85]
In August 2014, she participated in the Ice Bucket Challenge, a fundraising campaign underway by US ALS Association to develop treatments for ALS and to help patients.[86]
In 2015, it was reported that Shin had donated a total of ₩1 billion over past 7 years through 'Fruit of Love', a social welfare community chest and 'Good Friends' an association that helps North Korean defectors.[87] In November 2016, she participated in 'Let's Share the Heart' talent donation: a campaign to raise funds for Hallym Burn Foundation.[88]
In September 2019, Shin donated ₩50 million to Seoul National University Children's Hospital.[89] On 29 October 2019, at 4th Finance Day Commemoration Ceremony, Shin received the Presidential Citation in recognition of her consistent donations.[90]
In February 2020, Shin donated ₩100 million to the Seoul Community Chest of Korea (Seoul Fruit of Love) to be used for medical staff and vulnerable groups who are working hard to prevent the spread of COVID-19.[91] In August, she donated ₩50 million to the Fruit of Love to help the victims of torrential rain.[92] In December 2020, Shin donated ₩100 million through the Hallym Burn Foundation, which she had been practising every year since 2015.[93]
In December 2021, it was reported that she has donated ₩100 million each to the Hallym Burn Foundation, Seoul Asan Hospital and to the Korean Developmental Society for psychological treatment of children suffering from the prolonged COVID-19 infection.[94] In March 2022, Shin donated ₩100 million to the Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association,[a] to help the victims of the massive wildfire that started in Uljin County, North Gyeongsang Province, and has spread to Samcheok, Gangwon Province.[96]
In December 2022, it was reported that Shin Min-ah's cumulative donation amount exceeds ₩3.3 billion. Since 2009, Shin steadily donates to the cause such as supporting low-income youth and children with childhood cancer. In March, Shin donated ₩100 million won to the Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association,[a] to help restore forest fire damage. Shin also donated a total of 260 million won for the end of the year, to institutions where She used donate every year, such as Fruit of Love and Asan Medical Center in Seoul. Shin put out 360 million won that year alone.[97]
On 8 February 2023, Shin donated ₩50 million to the Hope Bridge Disaster Relief Society to help victims of the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake.[98]
^ abThe Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association is a non-profit organization established in 1961. It was founded by newspaper companies, broadcasting companies, and social organizations with the aim of providing assistance to individuals affected by unforeseen disasters. Originally known as the "Korea Flood Damage Response Committee," it initially focused on providing financial aid for the victims of Typhoon Sarah in 1959. In 1964, the organization was renamed the "Korea Disaster Response Association" to expand its relief efforts and promote a culture of donation within society. In 2001, with the amendment of the Disaster Relief Act, The Hope Bridge Korea Korea Disaster Relief Association became the only relief organization in the country authorized by the government to raise and distribute donations for domestic natural disasters.[95]
^Honors are given at the Taxpayers' Day ceremony.[133]
^Shin Min-a mentioned together with Song Hye-kyo and Son Ye-jin with 2.2% of Gallup survey respondent
^Joy News 24, an entertainment economic magazine, conducted a survey from 12 to 19 October 2021, about dramas, movies, actors, singers, and entertainment programs that shone in 2021 in celebration of its 17th anniversary. About 200 people in the industry participated in the survey, including executives at entertainment companies and broadcasting companies, producers of film and broadcast content, and reporters from the entertainment department. The results of the survey are presented by category.
^Lee, Kyung-ah (29 October 2021). 신민아, 제주도서 '우리들의 블루스' 첫 촬영 시작 [Shin Min-ah starts filming for 'Our Blues' in Jeju Island]. News Inside (in Korean). Archived from the original on 30 December 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
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^신민아, 다문화학교건립 위해 5천만원 쾌척 [Shin Min-ah, donate 50 million won to build a multicultural school]. Herald POP (in Korean). 29 December 2010. Archived from the original on 19 March 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2022 – via Naver.
^Lee Seung-rok (23 August 2014). 신민아, 아이스버킷챌린지 동참 '조정석 지목' [Shin Min-ah, participating in the Ice Bucket Challenge, 'Pick Jo Jung-suk']. My Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on 19 March 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2022 – via Naver.
^Jo Kyung-i (15 October 2015). [단독] '선행천사' 신민아, 소외계층에 7년째 10억 기부 [[Exclusive] 'Good Angel' Shin Min-ah, donated 1 billion won to the underprivileged for 7 years]. Kookmin Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on 19 March 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2022 – via Naver.
^Park Soo-in (28 November 2016). 기부천사 신민아, '렛츠 쉐어 더 하트' 재능기부 캠페인 참여 [Donation angel Shin Min-ah participates in 'Let's Share the Heart' talent donation campaign]. Herald POP (in Korean). Archived from the original on 19 March 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2022 – via Naver.
^Park Ah-reum (30 September 2015). 신민아, 서울대 어린이병원에 5천만원 기부 '훈훈' [Shin Min-ah donates 50 million won to Seoul National University Children's Hospital]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on 1 October 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
^Hwang Hye-jin (29 October 2019). "'20억 기부' 신민아, 오늘(29일) 대통령 표창 수상" ['2 billion donation' Shin Min-ah received the President's Citation today (29th)]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on 19 March 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2022 – via Naver.
^Lee Sun-myung (6 February 2020). '사랑하면 닮는다' 김우빈·신민아, 코로나19 확산 방지 위해 1억원씩 기부 [Kim Woo-bin and Shin Min-ah donate 100 million won each to prevent the spread of Corona 19]. Sports Trend (in Korean). Archived from the original on 19 March 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2022 – via Naver.
^Han Hyun-jung (6 August 2020). 김우빈♥신민아 선행…"1억원 기부, 마음씨도 예뻐" [Kim Woo-bin ♥ Shin Min-ah good deeds... "Donate 100 million won, you have a pretty heart"]. Maeil Business Newspaper (in Korean). Archived from the original on 19 March 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2022 – via Naver.
^Choi Jeong-ah (16 December 2020). 신민아, 6년째 화상환자들 위해 연간 1억원씩 기부…누적 기부금만 20억 이상 [Shin Min-ah donates 100 million won a year to burn patients for 6 years... Over 2 billion in accumulated donations alone]. Sports World (in Korean). Archived from the original on 19 March 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2022 – via Naver.
^[방송소식] 배우 신민아, 취약계층 아동 위해 3억원 기부 [[Broadcasting News] Actress Shin Min-ah donates 300 million won to children from the underprivileged]. Yunhap News (in Korean). 29 December 2021. Archived from the original on 19 March 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2022 – via Naver.
^"Hope Bridge". relief.or.kr (in Korean). Archived from the original on 9 May 2024. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
^Lee Mi-ji (6 March 2022). [팝업★]김연아·박민영·송혜교·신민아 등 산불 피해에 1억원 기부..선행ing(종합) [[Popup★] Kim Yuna, Park Min-young, Song Hye-kyo, Shin Min-ah, etc. donated 100 million won to the forest fire damage..] (in Korean). Herald POP. Archived from the original on 7 March 2022. Retrieved 6 March 2022 – via Naver.
^Ryu Won-hye (28 December 2022). 기부 천사' 신민아, 또 2.6억 쾌척…누적 기부액 33억 넘는다 [Donation Angel' Shin Min-ah, another 260 million won... Accumulated donation exceeds 3.3 billion] (in Korean). Money Today [ko]. Archived from the original on 28 December 2022. Retrieved 28 December 2022 – via Naver.
^Park, Seo-yeon (8 February 2023). 깊은 위로" 신민아→장성규, 튀르키예 강진에 ★들 기부 행렬 [MD이슈](종합) [Deep Consolation" Shin Min-ah→Jang Seong-gyu, donated procession to the Turkiye earthquake [MD issue] (comprehensive)]. My Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 8 February 2023 – via Naver.
^Nam, Seon-woo (13 January 2022). 2022년 한국영화 신작 프로젝트: '휴가' 육상효 감독 [A new Korean movie project in 2022: 'Vacation' directed by Yook Sung-hyo]. Cine21. Archived from the original on 13 January 2022. Retrieved 13 January 2022 – via Naver.
^Hwang Soo-yeon (17 September 2021). '갯마을 차차차' 오예주, 신민아 아역으로 눈도장 '올해 18세' ['Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha' Oh Ye-joo, Shin Min-ah as a child role '18 years old this year'] (in Korean). Xports News. Archived from the original on 15 October 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2021 – via Naver.
^Lee Min-ji (7 October 2021). 노희경作 '우리들의 블루스' 이병헌 신민아 차승원 이정은 한지민 김우빈 엄정화 출연확정(공식) [Noh Hee-kyung's 'Our Blues' Lee Byung-hun, Shin Min-ah, Cha Seung-won, Lee Jung-eun, Han Ji-min, Kim Woo-bin, Uhm Jung-hwa confirmed to appear (official)]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on 7 October 2021. Retrieved 7 October 2021 – via Naver.
^Yoo, Eun-bi (17 July 2024). 신민아·김영대→이상이·한지현, '손해 보기 싫어서', 초특급 라인업 완성 [Shin Min-a·Kim Young-dae→Lee Sang-yi·Han Ji-hyun, 'I don't want to lose money', super special lineup complete] (in Korean). SPOTV. Archived from the original on 18 July 2024. Retrieved 17 July 2024 – via Naver.
^Choi, Yoon-na (9 November 2023). 박해수·신민아→이광수·공승연…넷플릭스 '악연' 출연 확정 [공식] [Park Hae-Soo-Shin Min-Ah → Lee Kwang-Soo-Gong Seung-Yeon...Netflix 'Bad Blood' casting confirmed [Official]]. Sports Donga (in Korean). Archived from the original on 9 November 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2023 – via Naver.
^Woo, Da-bin (29 September 2022). 새로운 모습 보여드릴 것"…이준호, 최우수 연기상 영예 ('에이판스타어워즈') [I will show you a new side"... Junho Lee, Best Acting Award ('Apan Star Awards')]. Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on 11 November 2020. Retrieved 29 September 2022 – via Naver.
^Hwang, Hyo-yi (6 September 2022). 강태오-박은빈'·'손석구-김지원'·'이준호-이세영' 베스트커플상은? [Best Couple Award for 'Kang Tae-oh – Park Eun-bin', 'Son Seok-gu-Kim Ji-won', 'Lee Jun-ho-Lee Se-young'?] (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Archived from the original on 6 September 2022. Retrieved 6 September 2022 – via Naver.
^Kim, Chang-hyun (24 October 2024). 신민아 '아름다운 굿피플'[★포토] [Shin Min-a 'Beautiful Good People' [★Photo]]. Star News (in Korean). Retrieved 24 October 2024.
^[갤럽리포트] 2021년 올해를 빛낸 탤런트 - 최근 15년간 추이 포함 [Gallup Report — Talent that shone this year in 2021 – including trends over the past 15 years]. Gallup Korea (in Korean). 28 November 2021. Archived from the original on 10 December 2022. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
^[갤럽리포트] 2021년 올해를 빛낸 탤런트 - 최근 15년간 추이 포함 [Gallup Report — Talent that shone this year in 2022 – including trends over the past 15 years]. Gallup Korea (in Korean). 13 December 2022. Archived from the original on 22 December 2022. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
^Lee, Mi-young (27 November 2022). [창간18년] 박은빈, '올해의 배우' 1위…손석구·김태리·이병헌 빛났다 [[18 years of publication] Park Eun-bin, 'Actor of the Year' 1st place... Son Seok-gu, Kim Tae-ri, and Lee Byung-hun shone]. inews24 (in Korean). Archived from the original on 22 December 2022. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
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