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| yna@yna.co.kr 2026-06-16 14:50:20
SEOUL, June 16 (Yonhap) -- Thriller film "The Eyes," set to hit theaters on June 24, was far from an easy project for actress Shin Min-a.
In the film, which follows twin sister Seo-jin as she uncovers the secrets surrounding the death of her younger sister Seo-in, Shin takes on the challenge of playing both siblings.
She also portrays a visually impaired character, as Seo-jin suffers from a hereditary disease that gradually causes her to lose her sight. To realistically depict the condition, she had to keep her eyes unfocused in different directions and even acted with one eye covered by a bandage.
Meeting reporters at a cafe in Seoul's Jongno district on Tuesday, Shin readily agreed when told she seemed to willingly put herself through hardship.
"That's right. I'm addicted to hardship," she said with a laugh.
The demanding nature of the role had been apparent from the script stage, but she was drawn to the story and eager to challenge herself.
"I empathized a lot with Seo-jin's circumstances and wanted to portray the moments when she searches for the truth out of love for Seo-in," Shin said. "The fact that she's being chased by someone while unable to see also sounded exciting. I thought, 'This will be thrilling.'"
Alongside Seo-jin's investigation, the film also features her being pursued by stalker Hyun-min, played by Lee Seung-ryong, giving the movie elements of horror as well.
Another appeal for Shin was the opportunity to see two versions of herself sharing the same frame. She had previously attempted dual roles in "Diva" (2020), but the two characters did not appear together onscreen.
"I thought it would be fun to have both sides of me appear in the same movie," she said. "I approached Seo-jin as a responsible and realistic adult, while Seo-in is more fragile and carefree, like an artist."
To prepare for the role of a visually impaired person, Shin practiced keeping her eyes focused in different directions even before filming began. Though the acting appeared difficult, she brushed it off.
"Eyes are muscles, too. You can train them," she said casually.
"I even filmed scenes where my eyes rolled upward, but they didn't make the final cut. It's not really difficult if you practice. Fortunately, my eyesight is still fine," she added with a laugh.
Shin recalled that portraying the terror-stricken Seo-jin had physical effects on her body.
"I was constantly immersed in fear, and eventually my neck became stiff," she said. "I felt pressure to make those desperate situations feel real rather than fake."
Even so, she expressed satisfaction with the finished work.
"There are many frightening moments that came across well, so I don't think all that hardship was in vain," she said.
"There are a lot of close-up shots, so I think audiences will be able to appreciate those details better on the big screen. Korean films have been receiving a lot of love in theaters lately, and I hope our movie can be enjoyed there as well."
Shin, who gained popularity mainly through romantic comedies such as "My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho" (2010) and "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha" (2021), has continued to explore various genres, including the thriller "The Eyes."
Saying she enjoys taking on new challenges, the actress hinted at more diverse projects ahead. Disney+'s upcoming original series "The Remarried Empress" is scheduled for release later this year, and she is currently filming the romance drama "Wednesday Thursday Friday."
Her adventurous spirit remains unchanged even after marrying actor Kim Woo-bin in December last year, she said, adding that she hopes various life experiences will enrich her acting.
"Since I first started acting, I've always wanted to try different kinds of projects," Shin said. "Because I kept that mindset, many opportunities came my way. I'm grateful for that."
She added, "'The Remarried Empress' is probably in post-production now, and I worked very hard on that project, too. Whether it's marriage or other experiences, I hope they accumulate within me and can be expressed through my acting."
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