Shin Se-kyung returns to film after 12 years

Feb 10, 2026, 08:16 am

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Actress Shin Se-kyung in the film HUMINT. / NEW

After a 12-year absence from the big screen, Shin Se-kyung is making her long-awaited return with the spy action film HUMINT, opening Feb. 11, marking what she calls one of the most challenging and defining chapters of her career.

Shin, known for performances built on restrained emotion rather than overt expression, said her approach remains unchanged in HUMINT. “I tend to stack emotions inward rather than show them explosively,” she said during an interview held Sunday at a Seoul café ahead of the film’s release. “That method carried through to this character as well.”

Set in Vladivostok, Russia, HUMINT follows the intertwined fates of National Intelligence Service officer Jo (played by Jo In-sung), informant Chae Seon-hwa (Shin), and Park Geon (Park Jung-min), a former lover. Shin portrays Chae as a woman struggling to survive amid constant instability, delivering a performance notably different in tone from her previous roles.

“Chae Seon-hwa has the strongest will to survive of any character I’ve played,” Shin said. “Her determination to keep living is what defines her.”

The project carried added pressure as her first film appearance since Tazza more than a decade ago. “It’s hard for me to view my own work objectively,” she said. “I was most curious—and anxious—about how audiences would respond.”

Shin described the role as a series of new challenges, requiring careful attention to subtle gestures and expressions. “She doesn’t express much outwardly, so every small detail mattered,” she said. “Her biggest appeal is her ability to make bold decisions to protect her life.”

Directed by Ryoo Seung-wan, HUMINT blends kinetic action with character-driven storytelling. The film has drawn praise for its balance of espionage tension, emotional depth, and set pieces such as car chases.

Shin credited her co-stars—Jo In-sung, Park Jung-min, and Park Hae-joon—for creating a stable and supportive set. She also cited a water torture scene as her most difficult moment, noting both a personal fear of water and the emotional demands of the sequence.

She prepared extensively for the role, including training in a North Korean dialect and singing, guided by professional coaches. “Finding the right tone for the character was key,” she said.

Reflecting on more than 12 years in the industry, Shin said her attitude toward acting has evolved. “Now I focus on fulfilling the role I’m given with sincerity,” she said. “As long as audiences continue to watch, I want to act with responsibility.”

She added that she hopes HUMINT will remain as a defining work in her career. “I want to keep moving forward without wavering,” she said. “Working with Director Ryoo was my biggest challenge, and it reminded me that the people you work with give you the courage to take on those challenges. If given the chance, I’d love to try global projects as well.”

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