In the realm of historical dramas, the portrayal of female characters dressing as men has become a captivating trend that draws significant attention from audiences.

The phenomenon gained momentum with Moon Geun-young's groundbreaking performance in 2008, setting the stage for other female stars to follow suit and make their mark as versatile actors.

Actress Shin Se-kyung Takes on the Challenge of Cross-Dressing 

Moon Geun-young's portrayal of Shin Yun-bok in SBS' 'Painter of the Wind' marked a pivotal moment in the history of cross-dressing female characters in historical dramas.

Stripping away traditional feminine traits, Moon Geun-young embraced a minimalistic approach to makeup, allowing her natural skin to shine through. Her convincing performance earned her the distinction of being the youngest recipient of an acting award in 2008.

Seventeen years after its airing, Yoon Eun-hye's portrayal of Go Eun-chan in 'The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince' remains legendary. Her mastery of portraying a boyish character, coupled with a no-frills makeup approach, left a lasting impact.

Yoon Eun-hye's authentic portrayal and commitment to the role further solidified the success of the 'woman dressed as a man' narrative.

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Shin Se-kyung's Debut as a Cross-Dressing Woman in 'Sejak, The Bewitched'

Taking the baton from her predecessors, Shin Se-kyung embraced the role of Kang Hee-soo in tvN's 'Sejak, The Bewitched.' Despite her 27 years of experience in the industry, her decision to tackle her first cross-dressing character raised eyebrows.

However, her acting skills received minimal criticism, highlighting her veteran status in the industry.

While Shin Se-kyung's performance garnered praise, her aesthetic choices in makeup and styling became a point of contention. Critics noted that the supposedly masculine makeup leaned more towards a bridal look, with minimal deviation from her usual glamorous appearance.

The failure to fully embody the essence of a man through makeup and hairstyle raised concerns about the authenticity of her portrayal.

Balancing Aesthetics and Authenticity: Challenges Faced by Actresses in Historical Dramas

The discussion around Shin Se-kyung's appearance in 'Sejak, The Bewitched' prompts a broader reflection on societal expectations of actresses.

Must actresses always conform to traditional standards of beauty, especially when portraying unconventional roles such as cross-dressing characters?

The debate underscores the delicate balance actresses must strike between aesthetic appeal and staying true to the character's essence.

NETIZENS COMMENTS

Here's what fans are saying:

I'm loving it 

I will look forward to it  

Dear Shin Saekyeong you are the best  

The female character is really dense, she acts righteous, but there's nothing right about how she achieves that. She was warned many times not to disguise herself as a man because it would be really dangerous, she still did,  

Why is it challenging for Koreans to differentiate between men and women in historical dramas when the distinctions are so evident? I hope the story gets better with time. Keeping my fingers crossed 

She was warned not to dress as a man by the minister's son. She knew that she'll get in trouble if she shows herself at the place, but she still went DRESSED AS A MAN! 

The trend of female characters cross-dressing in historical dramas continues to captivate audiences, with each actress leaving her unique imprint on the narrative.

While Shin Se-kyung's recent foray into cross-dressing has sparked discussions about aesthetic choices, it also raises pertinent questions about the expectations placed on actresses in the realm of historical dramas. 

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Written by Michelle Williams.