Former Hot Issue Member Baek Se-ra Cast as Lead in New Medical Drama 'Dr. Shin'

Baek Se-ra, formerly known as Hyung-shin from the group Hot Issue, has been cast as the lead actress in the upcoming medical drama 'Dr. Shin'. This marks her debut as an actress, and the drama is penned by renowned writer Im Sung-han, known for turning unknown actors into rising stars.

On the 13th, it was reported that Baek Se-ra will star as the female lead in TV Chosun's new drama 'Dr. Shin', set to air in the first half of next year. The drama, a medical thriller romance, follows a genius doctor whose beloved suffers an accidental incident. Baek Se-ra, a newcomer, has been chosen for the lead role.

Baek Se-ra was previously part of a girl group. She trained under DreamT Entertainment and All-S Company as Kim Hyung-shin before debuting in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. She was selected as a member of Hot Issue, the first girl group from S2 Entertainment, founded by the former CEO of Cube Entertainment.

However, Hot Issue disbanded after just one year without significant success, leaving Baek Se-ra inactive for three years.

Baek Se-ra was the main dancer of Hot Issue and excelled in various areas such as cooking, entertainment, and fashion, as voted by her fellow members. Her two-year stay in Australia also made her proficient in English, enabling her to communicate globally. Unfortunately, her talents remained unrecognized due to the group's lack of attention.

Now, Baek Se-ra is making a fresh start as an actress. After a lengthy audition process, she was cast as the female lead in 'Dr. Shin'. Her new name, Baek Se-ra, was given by the drama's writer, Im Sung-han, known as the 'Queen of Makjang' for her unconventional storylines. The name change symbolizes a new beginning and success after her idol group disbanded and her career hiatus.

Writer Im Sung-han is known for her dramatic and sometimes bizarre plot twists, earning her the nickname 'Queen of Makjang'. Her previous works include scenes like a character using another's abs as a washboard and a ghost-possessed character shooting laser beams from his eyes.

Some netizens express concern that Baek Se-ra might face challenges due to the drama's intense nature, especially as her debut role.

In 'Dr. Shin', Baek Se-ra will play the role of 'Top Actress' Momo, a central figure in the whirlwind storyline. Despite being known for her dramatic plots, writer Im has previously cast newcomers like Im Soo-hyang, Park Ha-na, and Jeon So-min, propelling them to stardom.

Having experienced transitions, disbandment, and a hiatus, Baek Se-ra has now been chosen by Im Sung-han. There is anticipation to see if she will rise to the ranks of top actresses, living a 'Cinderella' story through 'Dr. Shin'.

By Da-yeon Jeong, TenAsia Reporter light@tenasia.co.kr