Shin Ae-ra

In this Korean name, the family name is Shin.
Shin Ae-ra
Shin in 2023
Born (1969-03-07) March 7, 1969 (age 55)
Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea[1]
EducationChung-Ang University - Theater and Film
Occupation(s)Actress, radio DJ
Years active1989–present
Spouse
​
(m. 1995)​
Children3
Korean name
Hangul
신애라
Hanja
辛愛羅
Revised RomanizationSin Aera
McCune–ReischauerSin Aera

Shin Ae-ra (Korean: 신애라; born March 7, 1969) is a South Korean actress who made her acting debut in 1989. She has since played leading roles in television dramas such as Love in Your Arms and Bad Housewife.[2][3]

In 1995, Shin married actor Cha In-pyo, and the couple gained widespread admiration and respect from the Korean public for being philanthropists.[4][5][6] They are active volunteers at orphanages and welfare centers, as well as generous donors to causes such as the fight against child abuse and school violence, rights for North Korean refugees, and humanitarian aid to underprivileged children (particularly in North Korea and Uganda). Shin and Cha often collaborate with organizations such as Compassion International and the Social Welfare Society.[7][8][9][10][11][12]

Shin Ae-ra and her husband Cha In-pyo, have three children. Shin gave birth to their son, Cha Jeong-min in 1998, but she and her husband made headlines when they adopted baby girls, Cha Ye-eun in 2005, and Cha Ye-jin in 2008.[13][14][15] Their case highlighted the issue of adoption in Korea, where despite the prevalence of overseas adoption, domestic adoption remains rare and is often stigmatized due to culturally held beliefs stressing "pure" bloodlines.

Shin and Cha's case was even more notable as it is uncommon for Korean couples with biological children of their own to adopt, and they were lauded for serving as positive role models.[16]

  1. ^ "신애라". Cinefox (씨네폭스) (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-01-11.
  2. ^ "There's More to Life Than Acting, Says Shin Ae-ra". The Chosun Ilbo. 28 August 2006. Retrieved 2014-10-05.
  3. ^ Yi, Chang-ho (5 September 2006). ""Tailor-Made" Role for SHIN Ae-ra". Korean Film Biz Zone. Retrieved 2014-10-05.
  4. ^ Kim, Hye-in (23 July 2014). "Healing Camp Shin Ae Ra shows tears after reading Cha In Pyo's letter". StarN News. Retrieved 2014-10-05.
  5. ^ "4th Awardee". Pony Chung Foundation. Archived from the original on 2014-10-06. Retrieved 2014-10-05.
  6. ^ Chung, Sung-hee (25 April 2012). "A truly celebrity of conscience". The Dong-a Ilbo. Retrieved 2014-10-05.
  7. ^ "Cha In-pyo, Shin Ae-ra Support 10 Foreign Children". KBS Global. 23 December 2005. Retrieved 2014-10-05.
  8. ^ Garcia, Cathy Rose A. (3 June 2009). "Celebrities Support Compassion Korea". The Korea Times. Retrieved 2014-10-05.
  9. ^ Han, Sang-hee (2 December 2009). "Stars Warming Up Winter With Charities". The Korea Times. Retrieved 2014-10-05.
  10. ^ "Cha In-Pyo, Shin Ae-ra Donate 100 Million Won to Haiti". KBS Global. 21 January 2010. Retrieved 2014-10-05.
  11. ^ Ahn, Alexander Tehoon (26 April 2012). "Actress Shin Ae-ra starts podcast against school violence". The Korea Times. Retrieved 2014-10-05.
  12. ^ Jin, Eun-soo (24 April 2014). "Star couple mourns for Sewol victims". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 2014-10-05.
  13. ^ "Celebrity Couple Adopts 'God-Sent' Addition to Family". The Chosun Ilbo. 14 December 2005. Retrieved 2014-10-05.
  14. ^ Kwon, Mee-yoo (29 January 2008). "Celebrity Couple Adopts Another Girl". The Korea Times. Retrieved 2014-10-05.
  15. ^ "Cha In-pyo, Shin Ae-ra Adopt Another Child". KBS Global. 29 January 2008. Retrieved 2014-10-05.
  16. ^ "Celebrity Couple Sets Example to Follow". The Chosun Ilbo. 15 December 2005. Retrieved 2014-10-05.