“If you can’t tell the fake from the real, is it really fake?” –Sarah Kim
This provocative line from Netflix’s 8-episode mystery thriller “Sara’s art” it does more than linger: it defines the entire series. Released on February 13, the drama opens with a gruesome body discovered in a sewer in the upscale Cheongdam-dong district. Yet, instead of focusing solely on identifying the killer, the story reverses the lens and asks a more disturbing question: Who exactly is Sarah Kim?
At the center of this psychological puzzle is Shin Hye Sun – and she is nothing short of extraordinary.
Previously praised as the “queen of diction” for his crystal clear speech “Unknown,” Shin Hye Sun surpasses even her own technical excellence “Sarah’s Art.” Here he doesn’t just act: he analyzes identity.
She perfectly embodies almost five versions of a woman: Mok Ga Hee, a desperate figure trying to escape the bottom; Kim Eun Jae, who disarms others with calculated gentleness; and Sarah Kim, director of the Asian branch of ultra-exclusive luxury brand “Boudoir,” which caters to the top 0.1%. Each layer is meticulously constructed, forming a character that feels both terribly artificial and painfully human.
To visually convince viewers of these drastic transformations, Shin Hye Sun committed herself fully to the role. Although she usually avoided high heels due to her height and foot pain, she wore killer heels during filming to project elite confidence. She experimented with an array of wigs, bold makeup styles and extravagant accessories, once joking that it looked like she tried “every trick possible in life.”
The psychological burden, however, was deeper. Sarah Kim is intentionally ambiguous, a character without easy emotional clarity. For an actress known for building solid narrative backstories, this ambiguity presented a significant challenge. Shin reportedly dealt with the pressure by constantly snacking on set, while also worrying about facial swelling. Yet, thanks to careful coordination with the makeup team, Sarah Kim’s poised elegance never wavered on screen.
The brilliance of “Sara’s art” lies in his criticism of manufacturing luxury. Sarah Kim meticulously launders her identity for several years, selling counterfeit bags – produced for around 200,000 KRW – for tens of millions, even up to 100 million KRW. The inflated price is not about craftsmanship. It is a collective delirium.
Elite customers suspect the bags may be counterfeit, but willingly suspend disbelief for the heady thrill of belonging to a coveted world. The series frames him as a grotesque “collaboration of desire” – a mutual agreement between seller and buyer to protect the illusion about the truth.
Shin Hye Sun captures this disturbing psychology with chilling precision. At times he radiates a chilly sophistication; in others, it reveals the raw aggression beneath the glossy facade. Even as viewers recognize Sarah Kim’s criminality, they feel a disturbing empathy towards her. He becomes, in the words of the play, a “beautiful fake”.
Within three days of release, “Sara’s art” recorded 3.8 million global views and entered the Top 10 charts in 38 countries. While some critics have pointed out narrative gaps and the relatively flat portrayal of detective Park Moo Kyung, Shin Hye Sun’s commanding performance consistently anchors the series.
In the finale, even after the whole truth is revealed, the illusion built by Sarah Kim does not collapse easily. Upper class clients, aware of the deception, choose silence to preserve status and reputation. The aftertaste is cold and bitter, a reflection of a society that values appearance over authenticity.
Through “Sarah’s Art”, Shin Hye Sun proves she has no limits. She evolves from being simply a technically adept actress into an artist capable of designing identity itself. He analyzes human desire, vanity and emptiness with disturbing depth.
And while it leaves viewers with a disturbing question: What is truly real? — one thing is certain: Shin Hye Sun’s performance is the only undeniable original in a world obsessed with replicas.
Sources: MHN Sports, Netflix
