Shin Si-ah’s Biography
- Full Name: Shin Si-ah (신시아)
- Other Name: Cynthia
- Date of Birth: May 12, 1998
- Height: 165cm (5’5)
- Nationality: Korean
- Religion: Protestant
- Instagram: @shinsiaa_
Filmography
Shin Si-ah‘s career is still developing, but she has already made her mark through notable film and television projects.
Film
| Year | English Title | Korean Title | Role | Notes | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Prasad | 프라사드 | Do-hwa | Short film | |
| 2022 | The Witch: Part 2. The Other One | 마녀 Part2. The Other One | Girl (Ark 1 Datum point) | ||
| 2025 | The Old Woman with the Knife | 파과 (Pa-gwa) | Hornclaw (young) / Jo-Kak (young) |
Television Series / Web Series
| Year | English Title | Korean Title | Role | Notes | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018–2019 | My Darling Boyfriend / My Love Dog Boyfriend | 내 사랑 개남친 | Go-eun | Web series / TV Mini Series | |
| 2019 | When Two Male Friends Fight Over Me | 남사친들이 나를 두고 싸운다 | Si-ah | Web series | |
| 2025 | Resident Playbook | 언젠가는 슬기로울 전공의생활 | Pyo Nam-kyung | TV Series |
Shin Si-ah’s Facts
- Overcoming Incredible Odds: For her debut film role in The Witch: Part 2. The Other One, Shin Si-ah faced intense competition. She was selected after beating 1,408 other hopefuls in a rigorous audition process. Remarkably, this was her first-ever acting audition.
- The Director’s Call: She found out she landed the career-making role through a personal phone call from director Park Hoon-jung. When he called and asked what she was doing, she simply replied that she was eating bread.
- Early Inspiration: Her dream of becoming an actress was sparked in her first year of high school after watching the musical Carmen. This led her to immerse herself in the art form, watching an average of four musicals per week for the next two years.
- Embodying the “Girl”: To play the mysterious “Girl” in The Witch 2, who had minimal lines and was experiencing the world for the first time, Shin Si-ah focused on “emptying” herself emotionally, approaching the character like a “newly hatched bird”. She relied heavily on expressions and gaze to convey the character’s inner world.
- A Resonant Scene: A memorable scene involved her character stepping onto snow barefoot for the first time. This wasn’t originally scripted with snow but was changed due to weather conditions. Coincidentally, it was also Shin Si-ah’s first time walking barefoot in snow, allowing her to deeply connect with her character’s experience.
- Pre-Debut Recognition: Even before The Witch 2 was released, the film magazine Cine 21 recognized her potential, naming her the number one “New Actress to watch out for in 2021” at the end of 2020.
- Real Name: Shin Si-ah is her actual birth name, not a stage name.
Hobbies: She enjoys listening to music and mentioned that when she gets interested in something, she tends to dive deep into it. - Personality Glimpse: While her character in The Witch 2 struggled with expressing emotions, Shin Si-ah has described herself as being quite good at showing her feelings. She also admitted to being a bit shy but found co-star Jin Goo very helpful and approachable on set.
Shin Si-ah’s Career
Shin Si-ah was born as an only child to a family consisting of her father and mother. Her path towards acting wasn’t a lifelong ambition but rather a passion ignited during her high school years. Initially focused on other potential careers, including fashion or magazine editing, her trajectory shifted dramatically after experiencing the power of live theatre, specifically citing the musical “Carmen” as a pivotal influence.
For 2 years, she immersed herself in the world of theatre and musicals by watching 4 musicals per week. At the same time, she set her goal as attending the Department of Theater and Film in college and then participating in plays. She eventually successfully enrolled in the prestigious Department of Theater and Film at Hanyang University (entering in 2018) before graduating with a bachelor’s degree.
Shin Si-ah’s Career
In 2018, Shin Si-ah made her acting debut with an appearance in the web-series “My Love Dog Boyfriend”, followed by roles in web-drama “When Two Male Friends Fight Over Me” and short film “Prasad” in 2019.
The turning point in Shin Si-ah’s career arrived with the auditions for “The Witch: Part 2. The Other One”. The casting call sought a new face to lead the sequel to the 2018 hit, a role that Kim Da-mi had originated and ridden to stardom. The competition was immense, with reports citing staggering odds of 1408 to 1.
Director Park later revealed that he chose Shin Si-ah after much deliberation, drawn to the “various faces” she possessed. This quality likely aligned with the demands of the character known only as “Girl”, an experimental subject capable of both chilling power and startling innocence. The decision echoed the casting strategy of the first film, where the then-rookie Kim Da-mi was chosen.
Shin Si-ah herself recounted receiving the life-changing casting confirmation call from the director with disbelief while casually eating. According to the actress, she was “mentally prepared” to let go of expectations of being casted, and her family celebrated after the call.
After “The Witch: Part 2”, the actress has appeared in the action thriller film “The Old Woman with the Knife”, which premiered at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival in 2025. She is also currently starring in the K-drama “Resident Playbook”, which is known as a spin-off from the viral K-drama series “Hospital Playlist”.
There were also reports of Shin Si-ah being casted for a Netflix series alongside Kim Yo-han. However, there have been no updates regarding the project after 2 years.
Alongside her acting roles, Shin Si-ah has become a recognizable face in the world of endorsements and public appearances. Even before her major debut, she appeared in a cosmetics ad playing a ballet teacher and modeled for the skincare brand Fossula. Following the release of “The Witch: Part 2”, she was selected as the model for various notable brands, including skincare brand Diponde, Coca-Cola, and minimalist fashion brand MONGDOL for their summer campaign.
Shin Si-ah’s Acting Philosophy
Shin Si-ah approaches her roles with a blend of meticulous preparation and intuitive embodiment. For her portrayal of the largely non-verbal ‘Girl’ in “The Witch: Part 2”, she focused intensely on understanding the character’s internal state and history, even creating her own backstory and listing the character’s thoughts for each scene. Recognizing the importance of conveying complex emotions without dialogue, she emphasized expression through her eyes and subtle gestures, honing these nuances by frequently recording herself with her phone camera to find the most effective delivery.
Her debut on a major film set was a significant learning experience. She gained a profound appreciation for filmmaking as a “comprehensive art,” understanding that a successful outcome relies on the collective effort and excellence of everyone involved, which instilled in her a greater sense of responsibility. Initially worried about navigating the unfamiliar environment and potential mistakes due to her lack of experience, she found support from the cast and crew, particularly noting helpful advice from seniors like the “first witch” Kim Da-mi, alongside co-stars Park Eun-bin and Jin Goo, as well the crucial trust and guidance provided by director Park Hoon-jung.
Shin Si-ah’s Accolades
Shin Si-ah’s impactful debut in The Witch: Part 2 did not go unnoticed by the industry or the audience. Her performance quickly garnered accolades, validating the buzz surrounding her casting and confirming her arrival as a significant new talent.
She received the Rising Star Award at the 8th BIFF Marie Claire Asia Star Awards in 2022 and the Rookie Award in the Acting category at the 2022 Asia Model Awards. Furthermore, she earned prestigious nominations for Best New Actress at the 27th Chunsa Film Art Awards, the Grand Bell Awards, and the 43rd Blue Dragon Film Awards in 2022. She was also listed as a “New Actress to watch out for in 2021” by Cine 21, a major South Korean film magazine
Awards and Nominations
| Award | Year | Category | Nominated Work | Result | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asia Model Awards | 2022 | Best New Actress | The Witch: Part 2. The Other One | Won | |
| BIFF Marie Claire Asia Star Awards | 2022 | Rising Star Award | The Witch: Part 2. The Other One | Won | |
| Blue Dragon Film Awards | 2022 | Best New Actress | The Witch: Part 2. The Other One | Nominated | |
| Chunsa Film Art Awards | 2022 | Best New Actress | The Witch: Part 2. The Other One | Nominated | |
| Grand Bell Awards | 2022 | Best New Actress | The Witch: Part 2. The Other One | Nominated |
