InterviewShin Hye-sun takes on her most ambiguous role in 'Art of Sarah'

Actor Shin Hye-sun / Courtesy of Netflix

Actor Shin Hye-sun said that her role in the new Netflix series “The Art of Sarah” was the most ambiguous character she has ever portrayed in her career.

"I usually start a project only after I have a clear plan for the character, but this time was different," Shin told The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul, Friday. "The story was so interesting that I really wanted to find out how it ends as soon as I read the script.”

The eight episode series tells the story of Sarah Kim, played by Shin, who lives a life of lies to act like she comes from a background of luxury. Her carefully crafted world begins to collapse as she is pursued by detective Mu-gyeong (Lee Jun-hyuk), who is determined to uncover the truth behind her fake identity.

Shin portrayed multiple personas in the series, including Mok Ga-hee, Kim Eun-jae and finally, Sarah Kim. She explained that playing such an elusive figure required her to be flexible rather than following a fixed acting style.

"The script was not very kind in terms of explanations and I actually felt more confused as I read it," she said. "I decided to focus on the idea that she was sincere in each specific moment even if those moments were built on lies."

Shin Hye-sun in a scene from the Netflix series "The Art of Sarah" / Courtesy of Netflix

Unlike previous roles where characters had clear goals and emotions, Sarah Kim moves through a gray area between truth and deception. Shin confessed that the changing nature of the character's emotions was a significant challenge because Sarah Kim is someone whose subtext is difficult to read.

"I felt a lot of pressure about my choices as an actor because the character's charm depended on how I portrayed that ambiguity," Shin said. "It was physically manageable but it was so mentally tiring that I kept eating snacks to stay energized."

Actor Shin Hye-sun / Courtesy of Netflix

Shin expressed deep gratitude for her co-star Lee, especially during the intense interrogation scenes. She said she felt anxious about those scenes because she had no set plan, but she was able to pull them off by trusting Lee's performance and following his lead.

"If it were not for Lee Jun-hyuk, I do not think I could have finished those scenes," Shin said. "Our chemistry was truly great and he kept the character of Mu-gyeong so grounded and this allowed Sarah Kim to shine even more."

The actor also felt happy about the global success of the series, saying she received many messages from her colleagues during Lunar New Year holiday. She thanked the costume and makeup teams for her elegant look, saying that the wigs and high heels helped her become the character.

Despite the difficulties of the role, Shin remains passionate about acting because it allows her to experience things she would never do in her quiet daily life.

"My actual life is quite flat and routine-oriented," Shin said. "Through acting, I can satisfy my longing for diverse experiences and busy lives, which makes acting even more enjoyable than my real life."