Shin Min Ah and Kim Se Jeong (Source: Pinterest)

We don't know where destiny will take our lives. The only thing we could do is try new things and seize every opportunity. This is exactly what two of South Korea's top actresses have done. Becoming actresses wasn’t their dream career, but when the opportunity to enter the acting world arose, they seized it with both hands. 

So, who are these actresses? Let’s get to know them:

1. Shin Min Ah

Shin Min Ah (Source: Beautynesia)

Shin Min Ah marked her name in the Korean Drama Industry after portraying the charming nine-tailed fox in the romantic comedy My Girlfriend is a Gumiho (2010). Since then, her acting career has soared, especially after starring in the viral romantic comedy Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha in 2021.

The drama became a massive hit, with its filming locations now serving as popular tourist spots. Shin Min Ah won the Top Excellent Award at the APAN Star Awards in 2022 for her role in Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha.

In 2024, she returned to the screen with another romantic comedy, No Gain, No Love. Both Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha and No Gain, No Love were sponsored by Indonesian candy brand Kopiko, highlighting the international reach of Shin Min Ah’s work.

Before Shin Min Ah's success in acting, she started her career as a commercial model. According to Weekly Donga, Shin Min Ah was one of the "four teenage commercial stars" of the 2000s alongside Kim Hyo Jin, Kim Min Hee, and Yang Mi Ra. She modeled for major brands such as LG, Samsung, and Korea Telecom and became a sought-after fashion ambassador for brands like Roger Vivier and Gucci.

2. Kim Se Jeong

Kim Se Jeong (Source: Pinterest)

Kim Se Jeong made her acting debut in 2017 through the teen drama School 2017, where her remarkable acting talent was already evident. She won the Best New Actress award at the KBS Drama Awards in 2017. Her popularity surged after starring in the action-packed drama The Uncanny Counter (Seasons 1 & 2, 2020-2023) and the romantic comedy The Business Proposal (2022), for which she won the Best Actor award at the Asia Artist Awards in 2023.

In 2024, Kim Se Jeong starred in Brewing Love and Today's Webtoon, both of which were also sponsored by the Indonesian candy brand Kopiko. Now, in 2025, she will release a new drama titled The Moon Flows Through This River.

Before her acting career, Kim Se Jeong was known as a K-pop idol. She gained fame by competing in the survival show Produce 101 (2016), where she placed second. This led to her joining the girl group I.O.I, and later the group Gugudan, where she also released singles as a solo artist.

Both Shin Min Ah and Kim Se Jeong demonstrate the power of pursuing your passions and continuously honing your skills. Their careers in acting, singing, and modelling are great examples of a growth mindset—always striving to maximize one’s potential and seize every opportunity that comes along.

Growth Mindset in Business: A Lesson from Shin Min Ah and Kim Se Jeong

The growth mindset is crucial not only for individuals but also for businesses. It’s about maximizing your business potential, just like the candy brand Kopiko. Through collaboration with Linkmedia Advertising Agency, Kopiko integrated built-in product placements (PPL) in over 20 popular Korean dramas, including Vincenzo, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, and Marry My Husband. This innovative approach boosted Kopiko’s brand awareness and sales, both in Indonesia and internationally.

Take the opportunity to make your business global by partnering with Linkmedia, an advertising agency with over 10 years of experience in the industry. To optimize your brand’s advertising strategy and stay ahead of the competition, contact Linkmedia today at https://link-media.co.id for the best advertising experience!

Source:

Team Weekly Donga. (2005). Yang Min-a, the 'N-generation star' who rose to fame through CF. Weeklydonga.com. Accessed at 8 April 2025 from https://weekly.donga.com/culture/article/all/11/63658/1