Shin Hye-sun Discusses Her Role in Netflix's 'Lady Dua' and Her Journey as an Actress

"I had higher expectations than what I possessed," actress Shin Hye-sun humbly admitted.

On the 20th, an interview with Shin Hye-sun was conducted at a café in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, regarding the Netflix series 'Lady Dua.' Shin Hye-sun showcased her spring styling by wearing a trench coat, matching the warm weather.

'Lady Dua' tells the story of 'Sarah Kim' (played by Shin Hye-sun), a woman who desires to become a luxury brand, even if it's fake, and 'Moo Kyung' (played by Lee Jun-hyuk), a man who tracks her ambitions. Shin Hye-sun takes on the role of Sarah Kim, the mysterious Asia branch manager of the coveted luxury brand 'Boudoir.'

Transforming from her usual modest styling to the glamorous Sarah Kim, Shin Hye-sun received numerous compliments for her appearance in the series. She shared, "The head of the makeup team was so excited that they messaged me daily. I was satisfied. I had never tried such diverse hair and makeup before. The makeup team put in a lot of effort to make me look beautiful, and it seems like it was rewarding for them as well."

In the series, Shin Hye-sun, as a branch manager of a famous brand, dons a variety of luxurious items. She commented, "Due to the nature of my job, I come across many luxury items. In my 20s, I had no interest in them at all. I knew nothing about them. Looking back, I think it was because I couldn't afford them in my 20s."

She added, "Now that I'm approaching my 40s, I don't think luxury is bad. There's a rarity and craftsmanship unique to each brand. It's nice to have them, but I don't chase after them excessively."

While the luxurious items visually caught attention, Shin Hye-sun's deep emotional intensity and multi-dimensional emotional expressions were also highly praised. Playing multiple characters simultaneously, one might wonder if it was physically demanding.

Shin Hye-sun shared, "It wasn't the makeup that was challenging. The real challenge was figuring out the acting tone and lines. I don't usually say things are tough, but this project was quite demanding. In those moments, I would eat a lot of snacks or playfully complain to the director."

She also had many conversations with her senior actor, Lee Jun-hyuk. Reuniting with him after 8 years since 'Stranger' (2017), Shin Hye-sun blushed at the media's comment about the two actors meeting again at the top. She said, "Senior Lee Jun-hyuk felt like a cousin brother since 'Stranger.' I felt a great internal closeness. He was already famous, but seeing him succeed more and more made me proud."

She continued, "The senior also acknowledged the path I've walked. It was really nice of him to say that to a junior. Having someone to rely on during a project is significant. The senior always says, 'from the consumer's perspective.' He's someone who views projects broadly, so we worked well together."

Despite her humble demeanor, Shin Hye-sun has established herself as a leading actress, recognized for her delicate emotional acting since 'Stranger.' She has consistently achieved both box office success and critical acclaim, earning the title of a reliable and talented actress among her peers.

From her school days to now, Shin Hye-sun seems to have been running towards the top as an actress. She said, "I had higher ideals than what I possessed. I wanted to shine brightly on screen. During my school days, I didn't have much to boast about. I've always had a strong desire to follow my ideals."

Shin Hye-sun appears to be an actress driven more by thirst than satisfaction, more by ambition for ideals than stability. Although she already shines brightly, her statement that she hasn't reached her peak yet is striking. It seems her prime is not now but in the future.

Ryu Ye-ji, TenAsia Reporter ryuperstar@tenasia.co.kr