On the February 11 broadcast of tvN’s variety show You Quiz on the Block (hereafter You Quiz), Episode 331 featured actress Shin Se Kyung as a guest.
When introduced as being in her 28th year since debut, Shin Se Kyung burst into laughter. Yoo Jae Suk reacted in surprise, saying, “28 years? In two more years, that’ll be 30. I’ve been in the industry for 35 years—you debuted just a few years after me.” Shin Se Kyung replied, “I debuted when I was very young.”
Born in 1990, Shin Se Kyung first gained public attention in 1998 as a poster model for Seo Taiji’s album. She shared, “I don’t remember exactly, but through someone my mom knew, I went to what was either a meeting or an audition. I remember feeling upset because I had to miss a friend’s birthday party to go.” She added that she performed a tearful acting scene at the sudden request of the director, thinking all sorts of thoughts at the time.
After debuting by chance, Shin Se Kyung became active as a children’s program MC on shows such as TV Kindergarten Hana Dul Set and Ding Dong Dang Kindergarten. Yoo Jae Suk expressed amazement, saying, “Were you the girl folding paper next to Teacher Kim Young Man? That was you?” He was also surprised to learn that at age 15, she beat 2,000 applicants to 1 to be cast as Kim Hyun Joo’s younger counterpart in the epic drama Land, and that she read the entire novel Land to prepare for the role.
Yoo Jae Suk described her as someone who seems capable and composed in everything she does. However, Shin Se Kyung said of herself, “I’m actually a very timid person. I’m cautious by nature. I’m the type who taps a stone bridge before crossing—and sometimes doesn’t cross it at all. I always choose the safest path. In everyday life and while working in Korea, I’m careful about everything—careful with my words and my actions.” Yoo Jae Suk agreed, noting that in their profession, unpredictable things can happen no matter how cautious one is.
Shin Se Kyung added, “Even during interviews, I tend to cushion my words,” joking that this has made her someone who speaks at length.
She also revealed why, after gaining immense popularity through High Kick Through the Roof, she reduced her workload instead of capitalizing on the momentum. “I thought fame and popularity were like a huge, sharp knife. If I didn’t handle it well, it could be dangerous. Once you’re in that position, you have to live your whole life being careful with your words and actions. Not just me—my family too. They’re called ‘Shin Se Kyung’s mom’ and ‘Shin Se Kyung’s dad,’ so they’ve had to be careful as well,” she explained. “It takes a lot of energy to live that way, always being mindful. There’s really no shortcut.”
She emphasized that having time to reflect on herself is essential. “I do it every moment. After today’s recording, I’ll have to think about whether I said anything wrong,” she said, making Yoo Jae Suk laugh.
When Yoo Jae Suk gave her the nickname “Seomsegyung” (a play on “meticulous” and her name), she responded, “You could say I’m meticulous, or you could say I’m sensitive. But you have to be sensitive. There’s no choice if you want to work for a long time.” She added playfully, “Double-checking is part of my daily life.”
When asked what life means to her now, Shin Se Kyung said, “I don’t think happiness should be postponed. It’s important to figure out what you like and what makes you happy, and to find and enjoy small pleasures in everyday life.” She once again added with a smile, “That’s just my personal thought. That’s how I live.”
Sources: Netizenbuzz
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