Shin Seul-ki Sheds 'Single's Inferno' Image, Becomes 'Weekend Fairy' with Stellar 2-Year Growth

The lingering image of Shin Seul-ki as the 'flex's crush' from the reality show has faded. Currently portraying Yoon Jin-kyung in SBS's Friday-Saturday drama 'Is It Fate?', Shin Seul-ki is solidifying her position as an 'actress' by deeply enriching the subtext of her character.

In 'Is It Fate?', Yoon Jin-kyung is a typical supporting character, the soulmate and unrequited love interest of Kim Woo-ju (played by Choi Woo-shik). Shin Seul-ki brings realism to the role by meticulously capturing the subtle temperature difference between brightness and composure.

The drama achieved a peak viewership rating of 11.1% and also entered the Top 10 global charts (in 18 countries) on OTT platforms.

Having gained public recognition after winning the 'Jin' title at the 2020 Chunhyang Pageant and appearing on Netflix's 'Single's Inferno 2' in 2022, Shin Seul-ki chose to debut as an actress in the TVING drama 'Pyramid Game' as Seo Do-a immediately after the variety show. Her portrayal of the reserved class president was a perfect counterpoint to her 'Single's Inferno' image.

Subsequently, she took on roles in the KBS weekend drama 'Please Have My 5 Siblings!' (as Dok Go-se-ri) and the SBS historical drama 'The Royal Gambler' (as Choi In-seon), fluidly absorbing genre experiences like daily dramas and historical/possession acting.

Symbolically, all three of her upcoming works are scheduled for weekend primetime slots in 2025, earning her the nickname 'Weekend Fairy.'

Her clear diction, honed while preparing to be an announcer, and her sense of rhythm, stemming from her piano major at Seoul National University, are credited with creating stability in her line delivery and breathing.

Ultimately, her 2-year filmography, spanning from 'Pyramid Game' to 'Please Have My 5 Siblings!', 'The Royal Gambler', and now 'Is It Fate?', represents a simultaneous process of shedding past images and expanding her acting range.

Building on the relatable performance established in 'Is It Fate?', anticipation is high for how Shin Seul-ki will expand her narrative in her next project.

Netizens are showing support for Shin Seul-ki's acting transformation, commenting, "Completely different from her 'Single's Inferno' days! She seems to have succeeded as an actress," and "I guess I have to call her actress Shin Seul-ki now." Many are also expressing their intention to watch all her upcoming dramas.