Netflix 'Revelations': Shin Hyun Been on what it took to play Detective Lee Yeon Hee

The one-of-a-kind Shin Hyun Been, who starred as Detective Lee Yeon Hee in the Netflix film Revelations, shares her thoughts on the K-movie and her character. 

Revelations, which has topped the Netflix chart in the global TOP 10 (non-English) film category, tells the story of Pastor Sung Min Chan (Ryu Jun Yeol), who believes God has given him a divine revelation to sentence the culprit of a missing person case, and Detective Lee Yeon Hee (Shin Hyun Been) haunted by the apparition of her deceased sister, as they each pursue their own beliefs.

Shin Hyun Been played Detective Lee Yeon Hee, who is haunted by the apparition of her dead younger sister, tormented by guilt over failing to save her. After learning that Kwon Yang Rae, the perpetrator responsible for her sibling's death, has been released from prison, she keeps an eye on him. While investigating a missing persons case and questioning Sung Min Chan, she makes suspicious findings.

Regarding the film's global success, Shin Hyun Been shared her thoughts, saying, "It's so surreal. I can't believe this is happening. I heard that it reached No. 1 globally in a remarkably short time. It's a new experience for me." She added, "I thought the film dealt with a universally relatable issue. Everyone lives with their own beliefs — sometimes believing in things without solid proof, and at other times, even doubting the reality in front of them. This film has elements distinct to South Korea, so I'm grateful and amazed that so many people have watched it."

Sharing her thoughts, she continued, "The film turned out to be very close to what I envisioned while reading the script. Since it's my own film, I obviously tend to be more critical or more appreciative of certain aspects, but one thing is clear — the movie closely aligns with the vision director Yeon Sang Ho aimed for."

In this K-movie, Shin Hyun Been sports a very short haircut and a no-makeup look, and freckles and blemishes. She shared, "I've always wanted to cut my hair short someday, and when the opportunity came, I seized it without hesitation. It was so comfortable. It was the first time since I was a baby that I had my hair this short. Since it didn't take long to get ready and I didn't have to worry about makeup, I felt like I connected with the character much faster. Wearing comfortable clothes also changed the way I moved — it really made a big difference." 

She added, "When I met other directors during filming, they would say, 'What happened to you?' noticing how different I looked." She laughed as she shared, "Some people even said I looked like a middle school boy."

For Shin Hyun Been, this role was not an easy one. "The character is someone who suppresses and bottles up her emotions. As the story progresses, she gradually reveals them and brings closure, but I kept wondering how to make the character look [believable and] convincing. Some viewers might fully empathize with her, but there might be others who understand her situation but still wonder why she acts that way. She's a character who needs to be convincing in order [for the story] to reach its conclusion."

"I wondered just how much repression and suppression this character had endured. I interviewed people who have suffered from trauma, and one thing was clear — someone who is barely getting by doesn't suddenly change in an instant due to a sense of justice, duty, obsession, or personal belief. That's why, in the beginning, director Yeon Sang Ho instructed me to make my actions appear passive and my demeanor indifferent. I had to carefully pinpoint the exact moment when doubt creeps in and emotions start to shift."

Director Yeon Sang Ho once described Shin Hyun Been's charm as "Park Bok Mi". She laughed, saying, "The director seemed flustered when the headline came out after he said that. But honestly, I usually play characters with a lot of backstory, so I think that's what he meant. I've played many characters with deep backstories, but I don't dislike those roles. I wonder if people would even be curious about the lives of those who go through life without any troubles. It seems that audiences are more drawn to stories of people who grow through experiences or make different choices. That's why I enjoy playing these kinds of roles," she shared, expressing her fondness for the characters she portrays.

Urging viewers to tune in to Revelations, Shin Hyun Been remarked, "If you're watching Netflix, there's no reason not to watch Revelations. The more you watch it, the more you'll take away from it." She added, "The film is connected to issues of today, and it sparks a lot of discussion. I'd love for more people to watch." 

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