4 Shin Hae Sun K-Dramas To Watch If You're Missing "Dear Hyeri"

Shin Hae Sun has once again proven herself to be one of the most skilled actors in the industry with her remarkable performance in “Dear Hyeri,” where she plays two characters, Eun Ho and Hye Ri, showcasing her exceptional range and versatility. Surprisingly, “Dear Hyeri” was not Shin Hae Sun’s first project with a unique plot or dual roles. In fact, the actress has built a reputation for selecting unusual, experimental characters and taking on roles that challenge traditional boundaries, giving her a distinctive place in the industry.

Here are four of Shin Hae Sun’s best K-drama performances that highlight her incredible talent and the diverse characters she brings to life.

“Hymn of Death”

Set against the backdrop of Japanese-occupied Korea, “Hymn of Death” is a historical romance drama based on the real lives of Kim Won Jin (Lee Jong Suk), a Korean drama writer, and Yun Sim Deok (Shin Hae Sun), the soprano who created Korea’s first-ever pop song.

Kim Won Jin and Yun Sim Deok first meet when Korean students studying in Japan decide to produce a pro-Joseon play that is accepted by the censors. During the production process, the couple falls in love, but soon Sim Deok discovers that the man she has given her heart to is already married to someone else. Heartbroken, she returns home. On one hand, we see her struggling to support her family as an opera singer; on the other, we see Won Jin trapped in an arranged marriage he never wanted.

Shin Hae Sun does an amazing job of portraying Yun Sim Deok. Not only does she perfectly convey the sadness, heartbreak, and yearning through her acting, but her refined facial expressions and voice inflections make the character’s pain palpable. The cinematography and overall aesthetic of “Hymn of Death” are quite different from anything else Shin Hae Sun has performed. The drama is quite short, containing only six episodes, spanning about three hours, making it perfect for a light binge-watching session.

“Mr. Queen”

Adapted from the web-novel “The Promotion Record of a Crown Princess,” “Mr. Queen” is a gender-bender historical romance with less drama than “Hymn of Death” and more comedy than “Dear Hyeri,” where Shin Hae Sun once again plays two completely opposite characters.

The story begins with Bong Hwan, a male chef working at South Korea’s presidential residence. After a near-death experience, his soul is somehow transported into the body of queen-to-be named Kim So Yong (Shin Hae Sun) shortly before her marriage to King Cheol Jong (Kim Jung Hyun). At first, Bong Hwan tries to return to the present, but he soon realizes that Cheol Jong, although king, is a gentle and kind-hearted person whose kindness is exploited by others. This leaves Cheol Jong with no real power as the late king’s widow makes every decision. Bong Hwan now has two missions: help King Cheol Jong regain his power and find a way back to his own time.

What makes Shin Hae Sun’s acting in “Dear Hyeri” so legendary is that when Eun Ho is pretending to be Hye Ri in later episodes, it is clear to the audience who is who—the acting is subtle yet impactful. Though she again plays two distinct characters in “Mr. Queen,” the genre of both shows is completely different, and the result is as well. Not only do Shin Hae Sun’s expressions make the entire drama engaging from start to finish, but her comedic timing proves her versatility in every genre.

Start watching “Mr. Queen”:

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“See You in My 19th Life”

In this fantasy romance K-drama adapted from the webtoon of the same name, Shin Hae Sun plays Ban Ji Eum, a character who has the ability to remember memories from all her past lives. Repeating reincarnation for nearly a millennium, Ban Ji Eum tries to live each life diligently. However, after her last life is cut short by a tragic accident, she decides to find Moon Seo Ha (Ahn Bo Hyun), her now grown-up childhood love from her 18th reincarnation. The only question remains: will they fall in love in her 19th life?

“See You in My 19th Life” is definitely not the best adaptation of a webtoon ever made; the drama has a few loose ends that at times leave the audience scratching their heads. With that said, the main cast, especially Shin Hae Sun’s phenomenal performance, once again makes the drama too entertaining to drop. If you’re looking for a perfectly produced fantasy with world-building, this drama might not be for you. But for those craving a light romance and missing Shin Hae Sun on their screen, “See You in My 19th Life” is a worthy choice for their attention.

“Welcome to Samdalri”

Cho Sam Dal (Shin Hae Sun) had one mission growing up—to escape her small town, Samdalri and make a name for herself in Seoul. And that is exactly what she did. After years of hard work as an assistant fashion photographer, she finally reaches her goal as a famous fashion photographer, only for her career to collapse after a false allegation. Leaving her hard-earned career behind, she soon returns to Samdalri and reunites with Cho Yong Pil (Ji Chang Wook), her childhood friend and ex, whom she broke up with after an unknown incident.

Unlike the other three dramas on the list, “Welcome to Samdalri” does not have a grand plot. It is a simple story of people in a small town, living their simple lives, and finding a love that was once lost. And perhaps it is the simplicity of the plot that makes “Welcome to Samdalri” so refreshing.

Hello Soompiers! What is your favorite Shin Hae Sun K-drama? Let us know in the comments section below!

Javeria is a binge-watching specialist who loves devouring entire K-dramas in one sitting. Good screenwriting, beautiful cinematography, and a lack of cliches are the way to her heart. As a music fanatic, she listens to multiple artists across different genres and stans the self-producing idol group SEVENTEEN. You can talk to her on Instagram @javeriayousufs.

Currently watching: “Brewing Love” and “Lovely Runner.”
Looking forward to:  “Squid Game Season 2,” “Good Boy,” and “Reborn.”