"It's Okay Not to Change" Shin Eunsoo's Realization [Limelight]

Park Seri in "The History of Confession":
"An Energetic Character" Shines Through
Subtle Dramatic Conflict...
Changes of Heart Drawn Through Everyday Moments
Open Emotions Revealed as Pure Longing on a Bright Face

Movie 'The History of Confession' Still Cut

In the Netflix film "The History of Confession," the protagonist Park Seri (played by Shin Eunsoo) is a curly-haired high school student. During a school trip, she finds herself in a situation where she can confess her feelings to her crush, Kim Hyun (played by Cha Woo-min). Her friends create a romantic atmosphere by hanging pretty lights in a clearing in the forest, making it the perfect setting to express her feelings.

However, Park Seri hesitates in front of Kim Hyun. Han Yunseok (played by Gong Myung), who is helping her confess, keeps catching her eye. In the end, Park Seri ends up confessing to herself. "I always thought that I had to change for someone to like me. But in front of him, those thoughts just disappeared."

In an interview with Asia Economy on September 3, Shin Eunsoo said, "Park Seri wasn't sure about her feelings for Han Yunseok until just before facing Kim Hyun," adding, "In the previous scenes, I tried to let only a little bit of her feelings for Han Yunseok show through." She continued, "I thought it would be more natural for the shift from friends to lovers to be revealed through scenes where feelings gradually change, rather than through a dramatic turning point."

Movie 'The History of Confession' Still Cut

However, in the earlier scenes, Park Seri's feelings are hardly revealed. Even if there are hints, the editing quickly moves on to the next scene. A representative example is the scene where Han Yunseok washes Park Seri's hair at his mother Jangmi's (played by Hong Eunhee) hair salon.

Park Seri wants to get her hair straightened to look prettier for Kim Hyun. Jealous, Han Yunseok intentionally uses conditioner to reduce the effect of the perm solution. When his mother comments, "He's not the type to make this kind of mistake," he immediately leaves the room.

Although this scene is essentially a near-confession, director Namkoong Sun only shows Park Seri's bewildered expression before moving on to the next scene. There is no follow-up showing Park Seri wondering whether Han Yunseok likes her or what her own feelings are. As a result, the scene where Park Seri changes her mind about confessing to Kim Hyun inevitably comes across as abrupt.

The secondary storylines are no different. While "The History of Confession" uses the IMF financial crisis, the college entrance exam, and strong friendships as its backdrop, these issues never actually appear. Instead of dramatic conflict or intense drama, the film depicts changes of heart through small, everyday moments. As a result, it relies on Park Seri's bright and innocent face to deliver its subtle charm.

Movie 'The History of Confession' Still Cut

Due to the formulaic structure, Shin Eunsoo had to repeatedly portray a confident and cheerful character. She said, "This is the first time I've played such an energetic character," but added, "There were so many similarities to myself that I felt comfortable acting. My friends even said it was like watching the real me," she laughed. She continued, "It was my first time showing this side of myself, so I worried it might be over the top, but director Namkoong Sun actually encouraged bold expressions, which allowed me to act freely."

These open emotions are revealed as pure longing on Shin Eunsoo's uniquely bright and innocent face. A representative scene is when she points to Han Yunseok, trying to get a free hair straightening from Jangmi, and says, "I saved him from the sea." Although it's an awkward situation, her lively expression makes not only her co-star but also the audience smile. Because these are feelings unique to youth, they inject energy into a narrative that is otherwise relaxed.

The highlight is not a particular scene, but rather the return to her curly hair. It symbolizes the belief that someone can like you even if you don't change yourself. Thanks to carrying that confidence throughout the shoot, Shin Eunsoo says she was able to lay the foundation for her own growth. "I learned how to be bold. Like Park Seri, I started to think positively no matter the situation. I think this experience will be a great asset for me as an actress."