Shin Si-a's Romantic Transformation: From Action Star to Melodrama Lead in 'Even If This Love Disappears from the World Tonight'

Shin Si-a, known for her intense roles in genre films, is showcasing a new side in the romantic film 'Even If This Love Disappears from the World Tonight' (OSEISA). Her on-screen chemistry with co-star Choo Young-woo is set to captivate audiences.

Recently, Shin Si-a sat down for an interview at a café in Samcheong-dong, Seoul. Released on the 24th, 'OSEISA' tells the story of Seo-yoon (played by Shin Si-a), a high school girl suffering from anterograde amnesia, and Jae-won (played by Choo Young-woo), who helps her remember each day. Shin Si-a takes on the role of Seo-yoon, who navigates life with her memory condition.

Having previously starred in action-packed films like 'The Witch: Part 2. The Other One' and 'The Old Woman With The Knife', 'OSEISA' marks Shin Si-a's first foray into romance. "I've unintentionally been part of intense action projects since my debut, so experiencing a youthful romance was refreshing," she shared. Shin Si-a expressed her satisfaction with the new experience, saying, "I learned to express pure emotions more delicately." When asked about her preference between genres, she replied, "Both have their charms. I want to excel in both and explore various genres without limitations."

'OSEISA' is based on Misaki Ichijo's bestselling novel, which sold over 1.3 million copies worldwide. The Japanese film adaptation was a massive hit, surpassing the record of 'Love Letter' after 20 years. However, Shin Si-a chose not to watch the Japanese version to create her unique portrayal. "I watched it only after filming wrapped. The locations were entirely different, with the Japanese film showcasing famous spots in Japan, while our version highlights beautiful Korean landscapes like Yeosu," she explained. Despite the differences, she noted, "The message remains the same."

In the film, Seo-yoon's character deals with anterograde amnesia. Shin Si-a emphasized, "While the memory disorder is a key aspect, I wanted to focus on Seo-yoon's pure personality and simple traits. She's a character with a beautiful perspective on the world." She added, "Seo-yoon's determination to live despite her circumstances is something I hoped to convey."

Shin Si-a's co-star, Choo Young-woo, played a significant role in bringing the romance to life. "We collaborated on many scenes, exchanging ideas on set. There was mutual trust, making the process enjoyable," she said. Shin Si-a appreciated Choo's support, noting, "He often brought me vitamins and snacks when I was low on energy." She described their on-screen chemistry, saying, "Both Jae-won and Young-woo have a subtle charm and cuteness, which made the character more relatable."

The film also features a heart-fluttering kiss scene, which was Shin Si-a's first. "I was nervous, but the director guided me through it," she recalled. "We filmed it towards the end, so the emotions had naturally built up, making it feel authentic."

When asked about portraying a first love character, Shin Si-a admitted, "I didn't have a movie-like first love in school, but I aimed to capture a fresh and exciting image." She focused on Seo-yoon's nuanced emotions, stating, "Seo-yoon is a character with layers of sadness, pain, and brightness. I wanted to portray her strength and depth." Reflecting on her own first love, she laughed, "My first love was a popular teacher everyone adored."

This year, Shin Si-a has been busy with the drama 'Resident Playbook', the film 'The Old Woman With The Knife', and now 'OSEISA'. Reflecting on her year, she said, "During breaks, I often wondered if I could work as busily as I wanted. I'm grateful for the opportunity to connect with audiences this year and feel a responsibility to work even harder on future projects." Looking ahead, she shared, "My goal is to build stamina to seize new opportunities and to take care of those around me."

Kim Ji-won, TENASIA Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr