But before she made it as a successful actress and could command US$25,000 per episode of a drama series, how did Shin get her start? We backtrack to the 36-year-old’s early years before the fame.

She started out aged only 14

In 1998, at the age of just 14, Shin Min-a graced the cover of Kiki magazine. Three years later, she made her debut as an actress. However, she admitted later that she regrets such an early start.

“I didn’t have a school life like everyone else because I started working at a young age. That’s what I regret,” she said in an episode of TVN’s You Quiz on the Block.

She featured in several music videos

Shin’s early music video appearances surely helped her develop her strong screen presence, and her role in the MV for Lee Seung-hwan’s Request helped it win video of the year at the 1999 Mnet Asian Music Awards. She also showcased her potential by taping videos for K-pop boy band group G.O.D.

Some of her past roles required real application

In an interview with Marie Claire Korea, Shin reflected on how her past roles in films and dramas sometimes required elaborate preparation. She practised cello for A Bittersweet Life, learned to dance for Go Go 70s, and even fainted while learning to box for Punch. In her younger years, she said she had to work really hard and could only play those role because her body was in great shape.

She has remained a model even with her screen career

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