Most of us are familiar with Shin Hyun-been through her role as Jang Gyeo-ul in the 2020 hit series, Hospital Playlist. But she’s been in the biz for quite some time before she was cast as this charming GS resident.
Shin Hyun-been is an art theory major from the Korea National University of Arts but she turned into acting after graduation. Finding passion in the acting world, Hyun-been took diverse roles in film and TV.
Get to know more of this shining actress in this edition of In Spotlight!
“Regardless of how good or passionate I am in acting, I’m still enjoying it and am grateful to have a job that pushes me to do better and keep on moving. I’ve never felt like this about anything else.”
– Shin Hyun-been
He’s On Duty (2010) – Jang-mi
Shin Hyun-been debuted in the dark comedy flick, He’s On Duty. She received critical acclaim in her role as Vietnamese immigrant Jang-mi, even bagging the Best New Actress award in the 47th Baeksang Arts Awards.
Warrior Baek Dong Soo (SBS / 2011) – Yoo Ji-sun
In her second year in the industry, she starred alongside Ji Chang-wook, Yoo Seung-ho, and Yoon So-yi in 2011 hit sageuk, Warrior Baek Dong-soo.
Kimchi Family (JTBC / 2011-2012) – Yukie/Seol (cameo)
She then made a special appearance in the JTBC rom-com drama, Kimchi Family which stars Song Il-gook and Park Jin-hee.
Family Photo (SBS/2012) – Han Mi-hwa
She took on the role of veteran actor Ahn Nae-sang’s daughter in the two-episode Chuseok drama special of SBS, Family Photo.
Almost Che (2012) – site reporter
She made a guest appearance as a site reporter in Almost Che. The comedy film is top-billed by her He’s On Duty co-star Kim In-kwon.
Mimi (Mnet / 2014) – Jang Eun-hye
After starring in a stage play, Shin Hyun-been made her TV comeback with this Mnet-produced four-episode series entitled Mimi. She played the role of Jang Eun-hye, a webtoon company manager, who helps webtoon writer Han Min-woo (played by Changmin) remember his past and reveal the identity of Mimi (played by Moon Ga-young).
Fun fact: This mystery romance is an adaptation of the movie M. Shin Hyun-been’s role was originally played by Gong Hyo-jin.
The Lost Choices (2015) – Chae Ji-eun
Reuniting with her Warrior Baek Dong Soo co-star Yoon So-yi, Shin Hyun-been top-billed the movie The Lost Choices. She gave a powerful performance by playing the challenging role of Chae Ji-eun, a speech-impaired woman who went through a horrific event.
Madame Antoine (JTBC / 2016) – Clare
She made a cameo appearance as Choi Soo-hyun’s (played by Sung Joon) ex-girlfriend Clare in the rom-com series Madame Antoine.
Confidential Assignment (2017) – Hwa-ryung (Im Chul-ryung’s wife)
In 2017, she became part of the box-office hit Confidential Assignment. In this action movie, Shin Hyun-been played the role of Hwa-ryung, the North Korean wife of Im Chul-ryung (played by Hyun Bin).
Queen of Mystery (KBS2 / 2017) – Jung Ji-Won
She played the role of lawyer Jung Ji-won in the KBS drama, Queen of Mystery.
Argon (tvN / 2017) – Chae Soo-min
In the same year, she once again played another lawyer character in the newsroom drama Argon.
Rain or Shine (JTBC / 2017-2018) – architect (ep.16)
She did another cameo in a JTBC drama, this time for Lee Jun-ho and Won Jin-ah’s romance melodrama Rain or Shine (also known as Just Between Lovers).
Seven Years of Night (2018) – Moon Ha-young
She was cast in a guest role as Moon Ha-young in the action movie, Seven Years of Night.
Mistress (OCN / 2018) – Kim Eun-Soo
Bagging a lead role, Shin Hyun-been became part of the ensemble cast for OCN’s mystery thriller Mistress. In this Korean adaptation of the UK series of the same name, she worked with Han Ga-in, Choi Hee-seo, and Goo Jae-yee. Hyun-been played the role of Kim Eun-soo, a psychiatrist who holds a secret relating to the death of her ex-lover.
Sunset In My Hometown (2018) – Mi-kyung
Making a silver screen comeback, Shin Hyun-been played the role of Mi-kyung, the first love of aspiring rapper and the movie’s protagonist Hak-soo (played by Park Jung-min). The cast of this heartwarming movie, directed by Lee Joon-ik, includes Kim Go-eun and Go Jun.
Take Point (2018) – Lee Ji-soo
In 2018, she also took on a guest role in the action flick, Take Point, which was top-billed by Ha Jung-woo and Lee Sun-kyun. She played the role of Ahab’s pregnant wife, Lee Ji-soo.
Confession (tvN / 2019) – Ha Yoo-ri
In 2019, Shin Hyun-been starred alongside Lee Jun-ho and Yoo Jae-myung in the tvN legal drama, Confession.
Cheer Up, Mr. Lee (2019) – Hye-young
In the same year, she was cast in a support role in the comedy-drama flick, Cheer Up, Mr. Lee. She played the role of Saet-byeol’s (Um Chae-young) mom, Hye-young.
The Closet (2020) – Seung-Hee
She started 2020 with a minor role in the horror film, The Closet. She played the role of Sang-won’s (Ha Jung-woo’s character) wife, Seung-hee.
Beasts Clawing At Straws (2020) – Mi-ran
Shin Hyun-been bagged one of the main roles in the star-studded thriller film, Beasts Clawing At Straws. Here, she had the chance to work with Chungmu-ro actors Jeon Do-yeon, Jung Woo-sung, Youn Yuh-jung, and Bae Seong-woo. She also reunited with her Mistress co-star, Jung Ga-ram. Shin Hyun-been was also nominated in the Best New Actress category in the 41st Blue Dragon Film Awards.
Hospital Playlist (tvN / 2020) – Jang Gyeo-ul
In March 2020, Shin Hyun-been portrayed the role of GS Resident Jang Gyeo-ul in the hit series Hospital Playlist.
Hospital Playlist 2 (tvN / 2021) – Jang Gyeo-ul
Shin Hyun-been once again wore a doctor’s coat – this time for a fellow – as she reprises her role as Jang Gyeo-ul in the second season of Hospital Playlist.
Reflection of You (jtbc/2021) – Gu Hae-won
“찾았다…” Shin Hyun-been found a character that showcased her versatility as an actress through Gu Hae-won in Reflection of You. In this novel-to-tv adaptation, she plays the role of mysterious art teacher who was betrayed by a precious friend in the past.
Monstrous (TVING/2022) – Lee Soo-jin
She starred opposite Koo Kyo-hwanin the TVING original series Monstrous. She played the role of Lee Soo-jin, a genius pattern interpreter whose life was changed after a tragic incident.
Reborn Rich (JTBC/2022) – Seo Min-young
Shin Hyun-been starred alongside Song Joong-ki and Lee Sung-min in the TV adaptation of popular webnovel, Chaebol’s Youngest Son. In the JTBC series, Reborn Rich, she took on the role of Seo Min-young, a tenacious prosecutor who works at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office as part of the Anti-Corruption Investigation Department. She never backs down in serving justice for all, even it means circumventing the law. The series is scheduled to air in 2022.
Tell Me You Love Me (2023) – Jeong Mo-eun
She is set to lead the upcoming Korean remake of popular Japanese drama, Tell Me You Love Me, opposite Jung Woo-sung. She is confirmed to play the character of Jeong Mo-eun, who is confident at expressing her feelings out loud and proudly fulfills her dreams and love.
[Quoted text source: Korea Herald Interview 2020]
