Shim Eun-ha (; born September 23, 1972) is a retired South Korean actress. She is widely regarded as one of the early figures associated with the title "Nation's First Love" due to her portrayals of pure and emotionally resonant characters in film and television.
Shim rose to popularity in the 1990s, starring in some of the highest-rated Korean dramas of all time, such as The Last Match (1994), M (1994), and Trap of Youth (1999). However, she is best known for her acclaimed performance in Hur Jin-ho's melodrama Christmas in August (1998), for which she swept the Best Actress awards. This was followed by another well-received turn in romantic comedy Art Museum by the Zoo (1998). Shim suddenly retired from show business after the Dogme 95 film Interview (2000), at the height of her fame in 2001, and her mystique solidified her status as the most beloved South Korean actress of that decade.
Career Shim Eun-ha made her acting debut in 1993 after being recruited by MBC. In 1994, she starred in the basketball-themed TV drama The Last Match, and quickly became the nation's most popular and talked-about star. After more forays into television (including the horror drama M) and two lesser-known films (including Born to Kill with Jung Woo-sung), she made a permanent mark on the film industry with her performance in Hur Jin-ho's modern-day classic Christmas in August (1998), as her performance in that film earned her the moniker "Nation’s First Love." Later that year Art Museum by the Zoo, which presented a more down-to-earth side of the actress, saw her win more critical praise for her acting abilities. Throughout this period, Shim consistently topped magazine polls as the most popular actress in the film industry."Actors and Actresses of Korean Cinema: Shim Eun-ha". Koreanfilm.org. Retrieved 2012-11-04.
In Trap of Youth (1999), Shim originated the anti-heroine in modern Korean dramas, when her innocent-looking character got revenge on the love who had betrayed her. It was enormously popular, with viewer ratings soaring to 35.7 percent.
She then reunited with Han Suk-kyu in Tell Me Something (1999), and their star power combined to create one of the most highly anticipated movies in Korean film history (though most viewers ultimately expressed disappointment at the film's convoluted narrative). The following year she appeared in Korea's first Dogme film Interview (2000) opposite Lee Jung-jae, which would end up being her last appearance.
Post-retirement In 2001, after rumors surfaced of an engagement which was later called off, Shim was chased and hounded for months by reporters from local tabloids and entertainment programs. Because of this, she decided to quit acting, citing a desire for an ordinary life. In the ensuing years, despite periodic rumors that she would resume her film career, Shim has tried her best to remain out of the public eye, studying in France and taking up painting.
Personal life In September 2005, Shim appeared in the news again when she announced in a press release that she was marrying Ji Sang-wook."Actress Shim Eun-ha to Marry Next Month". The Korea Times via Hancinema. September 21, 2005."Shim Eun-ha to get married in October". KBS Global. September 21, 2005. The couple wed at a private ceremony attended by about 150 people at Aston House, Sheraton Grande Walkerhill Hotel in Seoul on October 18, 2005."Shim Eun-ha Marries". The Korea Times via Hancinema. October 18, 2005. At the time she reaffirmed that she would not return to acting. The couple have two daughters, the first born on March 2, 2006, and the second on November 28, 2007."Shim Eun-ha Gives Birth to Second Daughter". KBS Global. November 29, 2007.Lee Hyo-jeong. "Stork, not stardom, pays visit to Shim". Korea JoongAng Daily. December 5, 2007.
Having expressed regret that she hadn't pursued further education while she'd been acting, Shim entered the Korea National Open University in 2009 to study for a liberal arts degree."Former Actress Shim Eun-ha to Study for Open University Degree". The Chosun Ilbo. February 3, 2009. She then displayed her artwork at the 2009 Seoul Open Art Fair, where the Oriental ink-and-wash landscape paintings, done in classical Korean style, attracted attention for their exquisite detail.Cathy Rose A. Garcia. "Actress Kim Hye-soo Unveils Painting". The Korea Times. April 15, 2009. She sold her first painting at a fundraiser exhibit later that year.
After being appointed as spokesperson for the Liberty Forward Party,"Liberty Forward Party Appoints New Spokesman". The Chosun Ilbo. February 12, 2010. Shim's husband Ji unsuccessfully ran for mayor of Seoul in 2010."Shim Eun-ha has 1.7 billion won in cash". The Korea Times. May 17, 2010."Ex-Actress Shows Up at Husband's Seoul Campaign Office". The Chosun Ilbo. May 18, 2010.Kwon Mee-yoo. "Will 'star marketing' help win votes?". The Korea Times. May 31, 2010."Seoul Mayoral Hopeful Casts Ballot". The Chosun Ilbo. June 2, 2010. Ji subsequently joined the Saenuri Party and was elected a member of the National Assembly for Seoul in April 2016. Ji now joined Bareun Party.
Filmography
Film Year English title Korean title Romanization Role 1995 My Old Sweetheart 아찌 아빠 Ajji appa Nam Yoo-ri 1996 Born to Kill 본 투 킬 Bon tu kil Jung Soo-ha 1998 Christmas in August 8월의 크리스마스 Palweolui Keuriseumaseu Kim Da-rim Art Museum by the Zoo 미술관 옆 동물원 Misulgwan yup dongmulwon Lee Choon-hee 1999 The Uprising 이재수의 난 Lee Jae-su-eui nan Il Sook-hwa Tell Me Something 텔 미 썸딩 Telmisseomding Chae Soo-yeon 2000 Interview 인터뷰 In-teo-byoo Lee Young-hee
Television series Year English title Korean title Romanization Role Network 1993 한지붕 세가족 Yoo Ji-hee MBC 1994 The Last Match 마지막 승부 Majimak Seungbu Jung Da-seul MBC MBC Best Theater:"Little Thief" MBC 베스트극장 - 작은 도둑 Lee Jung-eun MBC M Park Ma-ri/Kim Joo-ri MBC Shoal 여울목 Na Seung-ri MBC 1995 호텔 Ho-tel movie actress (cameo) MBC 숙희 Suk-hui Kim Sook-hee MBC 1996 1.5 Cha Hye-kyung MBC TV Literature:"Between Heaven and Earth" TV문학관 - 천지간 Cheonjigan woman KBS1 사랑한다면 Saranghanda Myeon Kim Young-hee MBC 1997 아름다운 그녀 Areumdawoon Geunyeo Yoo Seon-young SBS SBS 70-Minute Drama:"I Want" SBS 70분드라마 - 나는 원한다 Naneun Wonhanda Hong Young-ki SBS 1998 White Nights 3.98 백야 3.98 Baekya 3.98 Anastasia Jang SBS 1999 청춘의 덫 Cheongchunui Deot Seo Yoon-hee SBS
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Nominated work Result 1994 30th Baeksang Arts Awards Best New Actress (TV) The Last Match Korea Best Dresser Swan Awards Best Dressed, TV Actress category MBC Drama Awards Best New Actress The Last Match, M 1995 16th Blue Dragon Film Awards Best New Actress My Old Sweetheart 1996 34th Grand Bell Awards Best New Actress Born to Kill 17th Blue Dragon Film Awards Best Leading Actress 1997 33rd Baeksang Arts Awards Best Actress (Film) 31st Tax Payer's Day Prime Minister's Commendation 1998 34th Baeksang Arts Awards Best Actress (Film) Christmas in August 18th Korean Association of Film Critics Awards Best Actress 19th Blue Dragon Film Awards Best Leading Actress Popular Star Award 1st Director's Cut Awards Best Actress 1999 Asian Film Critics Association Awards 36th Grand Bell AwardsArt Museum by the Zoo Popularity Award 35th Baeksang Arts AwardsBest Actress (Film) Best Actress (TV)Trap of Youth SBS Drama Awards Grand Prize (Daesang) Top 10 Stars Highest Popularity Award 20th Blue Dragon Film AwardsBest Leading ActressTell Me Something Popular Star Award 2000 36th Baeksang Arts Awards Best Actress (Film) 1st Korea Visual Arts Festival Photogenic Award, Film Actress category 23rd Golden Cinematography Awards Most Popular Actress 37th Grand Bell Awards Best Actress Popularity Award 1st Korean Film Festival Best Actress SBS Drama Awards Big Star Award Interview 21st Blue Dragon Film Awards Best Leading Actress 2001 38th Grand Bell Awards Popularity Award
See also Korean cinema Korean drama
References
External links