1998–2009: Beginnings as a child actress Shin made her entertainment debut at eight years old in 1998 when she was featured on the cover and poster for
Seo Taiji's solo album
Take Five. As a child actress, Shin was already known to Koreans for her appearance in the popular children's show
Popopo, which also starred
Big Bang's
G-Dragon. She spent her childhood hosting children shows. After a small part in
My Little Bride, she subsequently had starring roles in
Cinderella, omnibus films
Acoustic as well as a well-received turn as the younger version of
Princess Cheonmyeong in
Queen Seondeok.
2009–2014: Rise in popularity and transitioning roles Shin failed to gain a large following until her breakthrough role as a housemaid on the popular TV sitcom
High Kick Through the Roof in 2009. Building on her sitcom fame, Shin signed on to numerous television commercials and print advertisement and became one of the most sought celebrity endorser. '' event in 2011 Lead roles in high-profile acting projects followed, among them
film noir Hindsight with
Song Kang-ho, the highly rated historical drama
Deep Rooted Tree with
Jang Hyuk and
Han Suk-kyu, and aerial action film
R2B: Return to Base with
Rain. However, Shin's next project
Fashion King (2012) was poorly received by audiences, particularly its controversial ending. Shin then released her first digital single, "You Were Sweet," which she recorded to promote a coffee franchise she models for. A former singer trainee in middle school, Shin has also contributed songs to the soundtrack of
Hindsight, the charity album
Love Tree Project, and did her own singing in showcase piece
Acoustic. In 2012, she recorded a Christmas carol duet with
Epitone Project. Shin returned to television in the 2013 melodrama
When a Man Falls in Love opposite
Song Seung-heon, but received criticism from viewers for her passive character. In 2014, she played a more "bold and confident" role in the gambling film
Tazza: The Hidden Card, followed by the fantasy-action series
Blade Man.
2015–present: Resurgence and comeback In a break from her usual dramatic roles, Shin played an aspiring comedian in the
webtoon adaptation
A Girl Who Sees Smells in 2015 as the titular character. Shin then reunited with
Fashion King costar
Yoo Ah-in in
Six Flying Dragons (2015–2016), another period drama from the screenwriters of
Deep Rooted Tree. In 2017, Shin starred in
tvN's fantasy-romance drama
The Bride of Habaek alongside
Nam Joo-hyuk. This is followed shortly by another fantasy-romance drama,
Black Knight: The Man Who Guards Me alongside
Kim Rae-won. In 2019, Shin starred in the historical drama
Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung, alongside
Cha Eun-woo. She played the role of a noble lady who becomes one of the four female historians of the royal court, and won the Top Excellence Award for an Actress and Best Couple Award with
Cha Eun-woo at the MBC Drama Awards. In 2020–2021, Shin starred in
JTBC's romance drama
Run On, alongside
Yim Si-wan. On July 5, 2021, it was announced Shin had signed an exclusive contract with
EDAM Entertainment (a subsidiary of
Kakao Entertainment) after her contract with
Namoo Actors expired. In 2023, Shin returned to television in the second season of the fantasy drama
Arthdal Chronicles: The Sword of Aramun, taking over the role of Tan-ya from Kim Ji-won. Following this, she starred in the historical melodrama
Captivating the King (2024) alongside Jo Jung-suk. She played Kang Hee-soo, a genius baduk player who disguises herself as a man to seek revenge but falls in love with the king. On July 3, 2024, it was announced that Shin has departed from EDAM Entertainment after her contract expiry. On July 8, 2024, Shin signed an exclusive contract with The Present Company. In September, 2024 Shin Se Kyung was cast as the new lead of 'Humint' where she will play Chae Sun Hwa, a North Korean restaurant worker, alongside
Jo In Sung as a National Intelligence Service team leader,
Park Jung Min as a North Korean State Security Department agent, and
Park Hae-joon as Hwang Chi-seong, forming a dynamic chemistry on screen together. In late September 2024, Shin attended the
Roger Vivier Spring/Summer 2025 presentation at
Paris Fashion Week as the brand's Korean ambassador. She continued her global promotional activities by attending the brand's Fall/Winter 2025 collection show in Paris in March 2025, drawing attention for her sophisticated style. ==Other activities==