Shin Hye Sun, a beloved South Korean actress, has signed an exclusive contract with Management Siseon, marking her first agency change in nine years. This move follows the end of her contract with NSENM (formerly YNK Entertainment), where she built a remarkable career with hit dramas like Mr. Queen and Welcome to Samdal-ri.
Journey with NSENM
Shin Hye Sun joined YNK Entertainment in March 2016, a significant step after starting her career with smaller roles. She signed with YNK after gaining attention for her performances in dramas like Oh My Ghost and She Was Pretty.
“Shin Hye Sun has stood on tiptoe as a ‘Rising Star’ who received the most attention this year through consistent and eclectic production activities since debut,” an official YNK statement read in 2016.
The actress expressed her excitement at the time:
“I’m extremely excited and happy about a new beginning with a new family on the basis of thick trust with the company. In order to become an actress whom the public can put trust in, I will do my best to put in my sincerity.”
Her time with YNK, later rebranded as NSENM, was marked by strong loyalty. She renewed her contract twice, in 2018 and December 2021, despite having time left on her existing agreements.
“The company recently renewed our contract with Shin Hye Sun, who has delivered the joy of growing together for a long time since the company’s foundation,” a YNK representative stated in 2021.
This trust led to a fruitful partnership, with Shin Hye Sun starring in major projects like My Golden Life, which achieved over 40% viewership ratings, and Mr. Queen, earning her a Baeksang Arts Awards nomination.
Why the Change?
On April 29, 2025, reports confirmed that Shin Hye Sun’s contract with NSENM had ended, making her a free agent. Posts on X and news outlets quickly shared the update, noting her nine-year tenure with NSENM.
Hours later, JTBC Entertainment and other sources reported that Shin Hye Sun had signed with Management Siseon, a new agency also representing actress Cha Chung Hwa. The move was described as a fresh start for the actress, who has been praised for her versatility and emotional depth.
No official statement from Management Siseon or Shin Hye Sun has detailed the reason for the change. However, the decision comes as she continues to take on diverse roles, like the upcoming crime mystery Lady Dior.
Career Highlights
Shin Hye Sun, born on August 31, 1989, debuted in 2012 with School 2013, playing a cheerful schoolgirl. Her early roles in Oh My Ghost (2015) and Five Enough (2016) showcased her range, from romantic to comedic characters.
Her breakthrough came with My Golden Life (2017), where she played Seo Ji An, a woman navigating life’s challenges after her family’s financial ruin. The drama’s massive success made her a household name.
She continued to shine in:
- Still 17 (2018): As Woo Seo Ri, a violinist waking from a 13-year coma, earning her a SBS Drama Awards Top Excellence Award.
- Angel’s Last Mission: Love (2019): As Lee Yeon Seo, a ballerina, winning KBS Drama Awards for Best Actress.
- Mr. Queen (2020): Playing dual roles as Kim So Yong and Jang Bong Hwan, a chef trapped in a queen’s body, earning critical acclaim.
- See You in My 19th Life (2023): As Ban Ji Eum, a woman remembering her past lives.
- Welcome to Samdal-ri (2023-2024): As a photographer reconnecting with her roots alongside Ji Chang Wook.
Her film work includes Innocence (2020), where she played a lawyer defending her mother, and Collectors (2020), as an art curator. She also starred in Brave Citizen (2023) as a former boxing star turned teacher.
Fans on AsianWiki and Reddit have called her “South Korea’s Meryl Streep” for her ability to embody diverse roles, earning her the nickname “Diction Fairy” for her clear delivery.
“Shin Hye Sun is a great actress and naturally talented. I really love her more in her acting in Mr. Queen very versatile,” a fan commented on AsianWiki.
“She just sweeps me off my feet, so incredibly convincing,” another wrote.
Recent and Upcoming Projects
Shin Hye Sun is last seen in Dear Hyeri, a psychological romance drama that premiered on September 23, 2024, on ENA. She plays Joo Eun Ho, an announcer with dissociative identity disorder, navigating heartbreak and a bubbly alternate personality, Hae Ri. The drama, co-starring Lee Jin Wook and Kang Hoon, explores her emotional journey after an eight-year relationship ends.
“I hate Hyun-oh… because I can’t have him,” Shin Hye Sun’s character narrates in a teaser, highlighting the drama’s emotional depth.
She is also confirmed for Lady Dior, an upcoming eight-episode crime mystery drama directed by Kim Jin Min (My Name). Shin Hye Sun will play Sarah Kim, a Korean-American scammer creating a fake luxury brand to deceive the elite. The drama, written by Chu Song Yeon, will stream on an OTT platform, with Lee Jun Hyuk in talks to co-star.
Additionally, her recent film Following (2024), a thriller with Byun Yo Han, has kept her in the spotlight.
Public and Industry Response
Fans have expressed excitement about Shin Hye Sun’s new agency, with many hoping Management Siseon will elevate her career further. On X, posts celebrated her move, with one user noting:
“It seemed together forever 💪💪,” referring to her signing alongside Cha Chung Hwa.
Industry insiders continue to praise her. Her ability to convey emotions and her precise diction have earned her respect, with critics noting her performances in Mr. Queen and See You in My 19th Life as career-defining.
“I hope she will win daesang like Park Eun Bin… she really has a big potential tbh,” a fan wrote on allkpop.
Shin Hye Sun’s move to Management Siseon signals a new phase in her career. Lady Dior on the horizon, she continues to take on challenging roles. Her recent donation of ₩100 million to aid victims of the 2022 South Korean floods through The Neighbors Honors Club also highlights her commitment to giving back.
CREDITS: JTBC Entertainment
