Shin Min-A: 5 Things To Know About The ‘Hometown Cha Cha Cha’ Lead Actress

Curious about Kim Seon-ho’s leading lady in his latest romantic comedy series? Get to know the woman of the hour as we probe into her life and career

“Good Boy” Kim Seon-ho is back with a new series that makes us swoon and laugh that past weekends. Titled Hometown Cha Cha Cha, it tells the story of the serendipitous encounter of Du Sik a.ka. Chief Hong (Kim Seon-ho) and Yoo Hye-jin (Shin Min-a), a charming yet ambitious dentist from the city.

As the story continues and the characters develop, the chemistry between the two intensifies, which makes K-drama fans, especially Kim Seon-ho’s followers, eager to know more about his female lead. Is she more like Start-Up’s Seo Dal-mi (Bae Suzy) or 100 Days My Prince’s Yeon Hong-shim (Nam Ji-hyun)? Has Mr Dimples finally met Ms Dimples? Below are some quick facts about the lovely South Korean actress. Bonus: A list of her drama series for you to binge.

1. She starred in an ad with ‘Crash Landing On You’ star, Hyun Bin

The 37-year-old actress started as a model in 1998. In 2008, she starred on a multi-episode campaign, Summer Days with South Korean actors Hyun Bin and Ryoo Seung-bum for LG Xnote. Hyun Bin and Shin Min-a were also together in a shampoo commercial in 2011.

On top of branded entertainment, the two also established their own agency, O& Entertainment in 2012. However, after Hyun Bin’s contract expired with the said agency, he decided to put up his own, Vast Entertainment. This left fans curious about the real score between two Hallyu superstars.

2. She is in a real-life relationship with Kim Woo-bin

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Since 2015, the actress has been in a romantic relationship with Jaeger Le Coultre’s ambassador and South Korean idol Kim Woo-bin. The couple started to become close when they were working on an ad for fashion brand, Giordano. In 2020, Kim Woo-bin signed up with Shin Min-a’s agency, AM Entertainment.

3. She is a philanthropist and has supported a number of charities

Since 2009, the Hometown Cha Cha Cha actress has donated over $1.2 million to various charities including the elderly, burn patients and underprivileged students. It was also reported that she helped build a school in Nepal.

In 2020, Shin Min-a and Kim Woo-bin donated 100 million won to help fight the COVID-19 outbreak through Korea’s largest welfare institution, Community Chest, alongside other actors like Gong Yoo. In the same year, the couple donated a generous amount to Fruit of Love to aid people affected by torrential rains and heavy flooding in South Korea.

4. She has worked with some of the best (and most adorable) leading men in the industry

Above My Girlfriend is a Gumiho (2010)

As one of the most versatile actresses in South Korea, Shin Min-a has played various roles opposite some of the most famous actors in the Hallyu world.

In 2010, she starred with Lee Seung-gi in My Girlfriend is a Gumiho, a rom-com series about an ordinary college student, Cha Dae-woong (Lee Seung-gi) who has ambitions of becoming an action star. He accidentally releases a gumiho (Shin Min-a), a legendary fox who was trapped inside a painting by Samshin Grandmother a (triple goddess of childbirth and fate in Korean mythology).

Above Arang and the Magistrates (2012)

She also starred alongside Flower of Evil and Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo actor, Lee Joon-gi in the 2012 fantasy period drama, Arang and the Magistrate. From 2015-2016, she played the lead role in Oh My Venus, together with multi-awarded actor So Ji-sub (Master’s Sun; My Secret Terrius). The story revolves around an overweight 33-year-old lawyer Kan Joo-eun (Shin Min-a) who was formerly the “Venus of Daegu” in her hometown. Shin Min-a was reported to have undergone three hours of prosthetics preparation when they filmed the series. It was all worth it though, as she was awarded as the Outstanding Korean Actress at the 11th Seoul International Drama Awards in 2016 for this role.

Above Oh My Venus (2015-2016)

In 2017, Shin Min-a starred as an amateur photographer alongside Lee Je-hoon (Taxi Driver), a CEO who can travel in time through the subway in Tomorrow With You.

She returns to the small screen with Start-Up’s Kim Seon-ho in Hometown Cha Cha Cha, a remake of 2004 South Korean film Mr Handy, Mr Hong. Halfway into the 16-episode series and viewers are seeing a soar in ratings.

5. She loves to travel and has published a book

Above Sin Min-ah in Paris. Photo: Olive TV

After her trips were documented on the cable channel O’live in 2008, she published a book titled, Shin Min-a’s French Diary in 2009.

Tatler Asia