Actress Lee Re, once beloved as the young girl from the acclaimed 2013 film Hope, has officially stepped into adulthood and audiences can’t stop talking about her transformation.
Recently, Lee Re met with Xports News for a post-finale interview about her latest tvN drama Shin’s Project, where she shared heartfelt reflections on her first-ever adult role and the reactions that left her feeling both nostalgic and comforted.
In Shin’s Project, which aired its finale on October 28, Lee Re played Lee Si-on, a hardworking delivery rider and the de facto head of her family, supporting her grandmother and younger sister while becoming deeply involved in the secretive world of Mr. Shin (played by Han Suk-kyu).
The drama followed the story of a former legendary negotiator turned chicken restaurant owner who solves conflicts and upholds justice in unconventional ways.
Lee Re confessed that when she first got the casting call, she was both excited and nervous.
“When I first heard I’d be playing this character, I honestly thought, ‘Can I really do this?’” she admitted. “It was my first adult role, and I felt like I hadn’t shown enough of myself to viewers yet. Working alongside such senior actors made me even more determined to do well.”
Her director encouraged her to stay true to herself. “He told me that Si-on needed to be someone with a pure and grounded spirit,” Lee Re recalled. “Later, he said I naturally embodied that quality, which still feels surreal to hear.”
Lee Re made her acting debut in 2012 and rose to fame the following year with the heart-wrenching film Hope, where she played the daughter of Sol Kyung-gu and Uhm Ji-won. Her emotional performance captured the hearts of millions and established her as one of Korea’s most promising young talents.
Over the past decade, she has continued to build an impressive career, appearing in hit projects like Hellbound on Netflix and tvN’s Castaway Diva.
“A lot of people commented, ‘You’ve grown so much,’ or ‘It’s amazing how natural you look as an adult actress,’” Lee Re said with a smile. “Those reactions made me feel really relieved. It means I’ve grown, but in a way that feels familiar to viewers who’ve watched me since I was little.”
In her role as Si-on, Lee Re performed motorbike delivery scenes herself, going through special training to ensure realism.
“As soon as I became an adult, I got my driver’s license,” she shared. “I thought I might need it for work one day and then this script came along with actual driving scenes!”
She added that what began as curiosity soon turned into serious preparation. “I didn’t want to look awkward or unsafe. The martial arts team connected me with an instructor, and I practiced until I felt completely natural. It was tough, but rewarding.”
The actress also reflected on what drew her to the script: “Si-on is a character who grows and learns, both emotionally and morally. I felt that part of her journey was very close to my own.”
Now twenty years old, Lee Re stands at a new crossroads in her career — no longer a child star, but a mature actress carving her own path.
“I didn’t choose this project; I feel like it chose me,” she said sincerely. “And I’m grateful for that.”
Sources: Daum
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