Shin Eun-kyung Reveals Reasons for Studying Abroad in the U.S. and Japan

In a recent episode of tvN's variety show, You Quiz on the Block (유 퀴즈 온 더 블럭), actress Shin Eun-kyung shared her unexpected decision to study abroad in the United States and Japan during her peak career moments.

During the June 25 broadcast, host Yoo Jae-suk asked her about her unique journey, referencing her notable role in the film Miss Granny (수상한 그녀). Shin Eun-kyung, who gained fame at 18 after starring in the hit movie Sunny (써니), explained that she felt the need to experience life as a student before it was too late. "I thought if I didn't go now, I wouldn't have a teenage life as Shin Eun-kyung. I wanted to experience being a student, so I went to New York for about two and a half years," she said.

Yoo Jae-suk inquired about her newfound interest in classical music and jazz during her time in New York. Shin responded, "New York has many famous jazz bars and performance venues. Friends introduced me to these places, and that's how I got to experience it."

After her studies, she starred in Miss Granny, which also became a box office success, earning her the Best Actress award at the Baeksang Arts Awards. She revealed that she initially turned down the role, feeling unqualified for the character. However, director Hwang Dong-hyuk convinced her that she was the right fit after a lengthy discussion.

Shin Eun-kyung also made headlines in 2017 when she suddenly ventured into the Japanese entertainment scene. She shared, "At that time, I was really into Japanese rock music. I thought about forming a rock band in Japan and taking over the Tokyo Dome."

When Yoo Jae-suk asked if she had been listening to a lot of music, he playfully requested a song. Instead, Shin showcased her dance skills, prompting Yoo to invite her to collaborate on a variety show.

Reflecting on her early days in Japan, Shin admitted that acting in Japanese was challenging. "Even now, Japanese is the hardest for me," she confessed. She explained that she had only six months of study before receiving a project offer, which left her with little time to prepare. "I would first read the script translated into Korean to fully understand it before tackling the Japanese version."

She detailed her rigorous preparation process, which included listening to recordings, practicing alone, and taking one-on-one lessons to perfect her pronunciation before filming.

Her hard work paid off when, just three years after her debut in Japan, she won the Best Actress award at the Japanese Academy Awards for her role in the film The Newspaper Reporter (신문기자). "I was shocked to hear my name announced as a nominee at such a big awards ceremony. I remember walking to the stage feeling overwhelmed," she shared.