Actor and model · South Korea
Shin Min Ah
신민아 (Shin Min Ah)
Shin Min-ah is a South Korean actress who became a star with My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho (2010) and later earned wide acclaim for Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021).
Biography
Shin Min Ah, born on April 5, 1984, in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, is a versatile and beloved actress known for her charming screen presence and range across genres. She initially gained popularity as a model, featuring in numerous advertisements and becoming a recognizable face in South Korea. Her modeling career led her to the entertainment industry, where she made her acting debut in 2001. Shin’s early roles showcased her natural charisma, which helped her quickly transition into a full-time actress and gain a dedicated following.
Her breakthrough role came with the 2005 romantic comedy My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho, where she played the role of a mythical nine-tailed fox, capturing audiences with her comedic timing and endearing portrayal. This role established Shin Min Ah as a major star and a versatile actress capable of handling both light-hearted and serious roles. Following this success, she starred in a range of projects, including the hit drama Arang and the Magistrate (2012), as an actress with both commercial and critical appeal.
In recent years, Shin Min Ah’s role in the heartwarming series Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021) brought her even more recognition and accolades. Playing the role of a city dentist adjusting to rural life, she connected deeply with viewers and received praise for her authentic and relatable portrayal. Her chemistry with co-star Kim Seon Ho became a key highlight of the show, propelling the series to massive popularity both domestically and internationally. This role marked her as one of the most beloved leading actresses in contemporary Korean dramas.
Outside of her professional life, Shin Min Ah is known for her long-term relationship with fellow actor Kim Woo Bin, who was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer in 2017. She stood by him through his health challenges, garnering admiration for her support and loyalty. Although she maintains a relatively private personal life, her relationship with Kim Woo Bin and her grounded approach to fame have earned her respect and admiration from fans. Shin Min Ah's enduring career reflects her dedication to her craft and her ability to reinvent herself with each new project.
Profile data
- Stage name
- Shin Min Ah
- Native name
- 신민아 (Shin Min Ah)
- Nationality
- South Korean
- Gender
- Female
- Date of birth
- 5 April 1984
- Age
- 42
- Birthplace
- Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea
- Zodiac
- Aries
- Chinese zodiac
- Rat
- Height
- 168 cm (5'6")
- Children
- None
- Portrait source
- TMDB API
- Rights holder
- TMDB / respective copyright holder
- Usage basis
- Editorial use via TMDB API, non-commercial reference
- Metadata source
- TMDB, Wikipedia, and other sources cited in the record
- Last updated
- 29 September 2026
- Editor
- Claude (AI content review)
About Shin Min Ah
Hobbies
- Photography: Shin Min Ah enjoys photography, often capturing scenic landscapes and candid moments. She finds it relaxing and a creative outlet beyond acting.
- Traveling: She loves exploring new places, particularly quiet, scenic locations. Traveling allows her to recharge and find inspiration for her roles.
- Reading: Shin Min Ah enjoys reading novels and poetry, especially works that explore human emotions. Reading is a hobby that helps her gain new perspectives.
- Yoga and Pilates: Known for her elegant and graceful appearance, she practices yoga and Pilates regularly to stay fit and maintain a balanced lifestyle.
- Cooking: Though she doesn’t often share this publicly, she enjoys cooking and experimenting with new recipes, particularly Korean comfort foods.
Interests
- Fashion and Styling: With her background as a model, Shin Min Ah has a keen interest in fashion. She enjoys styling herself and following fashion trends.
- Art and Design: She has an appreciation for art, often visiting galleries and exhibitions. This interest helps her connect with different forms of creativity.
- Human Psychology: Fascinated by human behavior, she explores psychology to better understand her characters’ motivations and create authentic portrayals.
- Film and Cinematography: As a dedicated actress, she’s interested in the art of filmmaking, frequently studying films for their cinematography and direction.
- Charity Work: Shin Min Ah is deeply committed to philanthropy, supporting causes related to healthcare, youth education, and underprivileged communities.
Facts
- Successful Model Turned Actress: She began her career as a model before transitioning to acting, quickly becoming a well-known face in South Korea.
- Breakthrough in My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho: Her role in this drama gained her widespread recognition, making her a household name and establishing her comedic talents.
- Known for Romantic Roles: Many of her most popular roles are in romantic comedies, where her natural charm and chemistry with co-stars have been a key highlight.
- Long-Term Relationship with Kim Woo Bin: She has been dating fellow actor Kim Woo Bin since 2015, gaining public admiration for her support during his illness.
- Highly Awarded Actress: Shin Min Ah has received numerous awards and nominations, reflecting her respected standing in the Korean entertainment industry.
Funny moments
- Loves Silly Jokes: Shin Min Ah has a playful side and enjoys telling corny jokes, surprising her friends with her sense of humor.
- Known for Awkward Dance Moves: Although graceful on camera, she jokes about her clumsiness when it comes to dancing, often making her friends laugh.
- Clumsy Moments: Despite her composed image, she has moments of clumsiness, often spilling or dropping things, which she finds amusing.
- Funny Facial Expressions: She’s known to make funny, exaggerated facial expressions off-camera, making her co-stars laugh during breaks.
- Poor Sense of Direction: She often jokes about getting lost easily, even in familiar places, relying heavily on GPS to navigate.
Fears and dislikes
- Fear of Heights: Shin Min Ah has a notable fear of heights and avoids high places whenever possible, preferring solid ground.
- Fear of Letting Down Fans: She values her fans and sometimes worries about meeting their expectations, pushing herself to work harder in each role.
- Public Speaking Anxiety: Although confident on screen, she feels nervous speaking in front of large audiences, preferring the structured environment of acting.
- Fear of Losing Privacy: As a private individual, she worries about the impact of fame on her personal life and strives to maintain a balance.
- Concern of Being Typecast: Known for her romantic roles, she is careful about her role selection, aiming to avoid being confined to similar characters.
Shin Min Ah shows and movies
Main roles 2 titles
Frequently worked with
Counted from shared credits across the database, most shared titles first.
