Arin Surprises Everyone With a Dark New Image

Arin has taken a dramatic turn from her well-known sweet and bubbly persona. Now in her fifth year as an actress, she reveals a completely new side of herself in the fantasy thriller drama "S-Line."

The genre and role were both unfamiliar territory. In S-Line, Arin plays a deeply wounded recluse.

"It was my first time tackling a genre and character like this," she confessed. "I was worried about whether I could pull it off."

But the transformation was a success—even her fellow OH MY GIRL members were surprised.

"They were like, 'You had this side to you?' They found it fascinating," Arin laughed.

"The most memorable reaction was, 'I didn't even realize that was you.' It made me feel proud—like I'd truly blended into the character."

◆ Embracing an Unfamiliar Character

S-Line is a fantasy thriller that centers around the mysterious "S-Line"—a red string that connects people who have shared a physical relationship. Through this string, hidden truths and forbidden desires are revealed.

Arin plays Shin Hyun-heup, a high school student born with the ability to see the S-Line. Believing her power to be a curse, she isolates herself from the world.

It was a bold choice, both in subject matter and tone.

"I love playing bright and lovable roles," she said, "but I really wanted to try something different."

"Personally, I'm someone who finds joy in small, light moments. Hyun-heup, on the other hand, carries pain and loneliness from her past. I found that contrast strangely attractive."

Hyun-heup was her first time playing such a dark character.

"She's quiet, hurting, and withdrawn—the exact opposite of me. I spent a lot of time thinking about how to portray that."

Some scenes were emotionally taxing.

"It was hard at times because her personality was so foreign to me. I even felt lonely during filming," she admitted. "But in the end, I think it came through just the way I wanted."

◆ Building Hyun-heup From the Inside Out

Arin didn't hesitate to physically transform for the role. Playing a disheveled high school loner, she chopped her hair short and went barefaced on camera.

"Hair can grow back or be extended anytime," she smiled. "Since I was doing this, I wanted to go all-in and enjoy it."

She immersed herself deeply in Hyun-heup's inner world.

"I tried to understand her and truly become one with her. I kept asking myself, 'What would I have done in her situation?'"

She relied heavily on imagination.

"I constantly wondered why Hyun-heup wanted to be alone and what she would look like in different situations. I talked with the director often to gradually discover her."

The result exceeded her expectations.

"It was so much fun that I almost forgot it was me on screen. That's how deep I'd fallen into the role. I'm really satisfied with how it turned out."

◆ Her First Leading Role—All the Way to Cannes

Arin debuted in 2015 as a member of OH MY GIRL. She took her first steps in acting with the 2020 web drama Girl's World and went on to appear in Alchemy of Souls and the horror film Urban Myths.

But S-Line marks a major milestone: her first leading role, a bold new genre, and a complete reinvention.

"It was a precious opportunity that helped me discover a new side of myself. I learned so much. It made me want to take on even more diverse roles."

S-Line also took her to the Cannes International Series Festival, where the drama was invited to the Long-Form Competition and won the Best Original Score Award.

"Cannes had always felt so far away, but S-Line made it possible," she recalled. "After the screening, when the audience applauded, I'll never forget that moment. It felt like a dream."

◆ "I Want to Be Good at Both Acting and Singing"

Recently, OH MY GIRL returned with the special single "OO-My!"—which coincided with the filming of S-Line. Was it difficult to juggle both schedules?

"I was really conscious of not wanting to negatively affect either the group or the drama," she said. "Thankfully, the members were incredibly supportive and gave me space to focus."

"Our members are always dependable. We don't say much to each other about our individual activities—we just trust each other and give support quietly."

Currently, Arin is also starring in the KBS-2TV drama "My Girlfriend Is a Tough Guy," where she's back to showing her signature charm, a stark contrast to her dark role in S-Line. She hopes to continue expanding her range.

"I want to be good at both acting and singing, just like I am now. As an actress, I want to try many different genres. As OH MY GIRL, I want to keep delivering great music and albums. Please keep watching over me."