It has been 11 years since Han Sun Hwa, the youngest member of the girl group Secret made her television debut and this year she had her first leading role.
Her television debut was not in an acting role. She took part in the SBS show "Superstar Survival." After making it as a finalist, she was cast in the variety show "Invincible Youth."
But it took another six years before she landed her first acting role in the 2010 drama "More Charming By The Day."
A few cameos and small supporting roles later she landed the role of Jenny in "God's Gift - 14 Days" and then the role of Kang Se Ah in "Marriage, Not Dating." The role in "God's Gift - 14 Days" won her a best new actress award. Her role in "Marriage, Not Dating" won her a best young actress award at the 16th Seoul International Film Festival."
Her first leading role was not an easy one as the drama, "Rosy Lovers" lasted 50 episodes. The character she played Bang Jang Mi triumphed over the hardships she faced, became a more responsible person and found happiness.
In a recent interview with the Korean media outlet xsportsnews.com, the actress admits that the role posed some challenges.
"I am human so I went through a tough time throughout the 50 episodes of the drama," she said. "The speed of the drama didn't allow me to relax and I always had to be on edge. It was hard to concentrate expressing such a mix of emotions."
One of the challenges posed by the role were coming to terms with the feelings a mother might have. Her character Jang Bang Mi was a mother who abandons and reunites with her child. Jang Bang Mi becomes a single mother in her 20s and cannot handle the responsibility, so she leaves the child with the father, played by Lee jang Wook.
At 25, Han Sun Hwa is not even married and has no pressing thoughts of motherhood in real life.
"I didn't think like a mother," she said.
Still her maternal feelings kicked in while she was acting the part of Bang Jang Mi.
Despite the praise she won for her role, she is still humble and a little fearful about her ability.
"I can't say I acted well," she said. "There's no telling what will happen in the next drama just because I did this well. I'm not sure if this is even talent, but I did my best and I'm happy it paid off. The role itself was important and I worried about having to work amongst such seniors but the team helped make it work."
But whatever happens in her next drama, she will be taken seriously as an actress.
