InterviewHow Shin Min-a brings depth to crime thriller 'Karma'

Actor Shin Min-a / Courtesy of Netflix

Shin Min-a brought a fresh perspective to her role in the new Netflix crime thriller "Karma." In the webtoon-based series, premiered on Friday, the actor sheds her typical girl-next-door persona, portraying a woman who has been suffering from lifelong trauma.

In the six-part drama, exploring the intertwined lives of six individuals trapped in ill-fated relationships they cannot escape, the 41-year-old portrays Ju-yeon — a surgeon who survived a sexual assault when she was a high school student.

With lifeless expressions and dry tone, Shin perfectly captures Ju-yeon's emotional depth and pain. When other characters are trapped in a cycle of ill-fated relationships, killing one another, Ju-yeon stands apart by refraining from direct revenge.

"I worried that viewers might feel frustrated or perceive my performance as disconnected from the rest of the cast," she said during an interview with The Korea Times at the JW Marriot Dongdaemun Square Seoul in Jongno District, Wednesday.

"So, I had a lot of discussions with the director how to portray Ju-yeon's distinct emotional trajectory effectively."

Ju-yeon's life takes a dramatic turn when she encounters a mysterious patient with severe burns. Upon learning his name, she is forced to confront painful memories from her past.

"I've been also concerned my portrayal might seem overly simplistic or superficial, potentially undermining the depth of Ju-yeon's lifelong trauma. So I made a conscious effort to build her character carefully, ensuring her wounds were conveyed authentically," she said.

In the end, her boyfriend is the person who carries out revenge on her behalf and she resolves everything while walking through the white snow.

"I thought that my character is essential in wrapping up the story and this is the kind of story the drama wants to tell. Ju-yeon is a victim, but when dealing with the perpetrator, she chooses to break free on her own. Perhaps this is the most realistic approach," she explained.

Actor Shin Min-a is seen in scenes from Netflix series "Karma." Courtesy of Netflix

She also highlighted the visual cues of her character, envisioned as having a dry, expressionless demeanor, which was accentuated by lighting techniques.

"I really liked the strong contrast in the concept photos. It felt like a fresh approach to capturing Ju-yeon's emotional journey. Unlike the typical bright lighting used in romantic comedies, the emphasis on shadows on the face was really helpful," she said.

"Karma" marks Shin's return to the thriller genre after five years, following 2020's "Diva." Even in a comparatively smaller role, Shin found the plot of "Karma" incredibly engaging.

Reflecting on her debut Netflix project alongside a cast of big-name actors, she described the experience as both refreshing and fun.

The star-studded cast of "Karma" includes Park Hae-soo as a man who witnesses a mysterious accident; Lee Hee-jun as a debtor chased by loan sharks; Kim Sung-kyun as a man cornered after losing his job; Lee Kwang-soo as a successful doctor who practices traditional Korean medicine; and Gong Seung-yeon as his girlfriend.

"There are positives to it as well. In the script, the roles are clearly divided, which brings both pressure and relief. I haven’t worked on many projects with large star cast before, but it seems to be the trend these days. Working with such amazing actors who share the same passion was truly enjoyable," she said.

Among the cast, she noted Lee Kwang-soo's performance was particularly beyond her expectations.

"Lee Kwang-soo curses and acts out in the car. It felt like there could really be someone like that out there — it felt so real. He portrayed the role in such a multidimensional way and I think he brought out the emotions of the character much more vividly than what was written in the script," Shin said.

Expressing her love for intense dramas, the actor shared her strong desire to showcase different sides of herself.

"When I first received the script for 'Karma,' I wondered if I might actually be capable of being a bad person — but it turns out I’m not. Still, I hope that one day I’ll get the chance to play an evil character like the ones in 'Karma.' It would be an exciting challenge," she said.