South Korean actor Shin Hye-sun has described her latest performance in the Netflix series The Art of Sarah as the most ambiguous and psychologically demanding role of her career.
In a recent interview in Seoul, Shin revealed that she typically begins a project with a clearly structured understanding of her character. However, this time was different. The script itself captivated her immediately, even though it offered limited explanations about the protagonist’s motivations.
“I usually approach a role with a definite plan,” she explained. “But this story was so compelling that I was eager to discover how it would unfold the moment I finished reading it.”
The eight-episode drama follows Sarah Kim, a woman who fabricates a life of privilege and luxury. Her carefully constructed identity begins to unravel when Detective Mu-gyeong, portrayed by Lee Jun-hyuk, relentlessly pursues the truth behind her deception.
Throughout the series, Shin portrays multiple identities Mok Ga-hee, Kim Eun-jae and ultimately Sarah Kim requiring her to constantly shift emotional tones and behavioral nuances. Rather than relying on a rigid acting framework, she chose flexibility as her guiding principle.
“The script didn’t offer clear emotional signposts,” she said. “At times, I felt even more confused as I read it. So I focused on one thing: in every moment, she is sincere even if that sincerity is built on lies.”
Unlike her previous roles, which often featured characters with well-defined goals and emotional clarity, Sarah Kim operates in a moral gray zone. Her intentions are layered, her emotions subtle, and her true self difficult to decipher. Shin admitted that portraying this shifting psychological landscape placed immense pressure on her performance.
“The character’s appeal depended heavily on how I expressed that ambiguity,” she noted. “Physically, it wasn’t overwhelming. But mentally, it was exhausting. I found myself constantly snacking just to maintain my energy.”
Shin also expressed appreciation for her co-star Lee Jun-hyuk, particularly during emotionally intense interrogation scenes. Without a fixed performance plan, she relied on the dynamic between their characters.
“If it weren’t for Lee Jun-hyuk, I don’t think I could have completed those scenes the way we did,” she said. “He kept Mu-gyeong grounded and steady, which gave Sarah space to become even more layered. Our chemistry truly strengthened the drama.”
The series has gained notable international attention, and Shin shared that she received numerous congratulatory messages from colleagues during the Lunar New Year holiday. She also acknowledged the contribution of the costume and makeup teams, whose detailed styling from elegant wigs to towering heels helped her fully embody the illusion of luxury that defines Sarah Kim.
Despite the emotional demands of the role, Shin remains deeply committed to her craft. For her, acting provides an escape from the predictability of everyday life.
“My real life is quite calm and routine,” she said. “Through acting, I get to experience intensity, complexity and different worlds. In many ways, it feels even more vivid than my actual life.”
With The Art of Sarah, Shin Hye-sun continues to expand her range, proving her ability to navigate characters that exist between truth and illusion and making ambiguity her most powerful performance tool yet.
