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Ahn Sejin
XFORMA
Between
Scenes
안세진 · AHN SEJIN
People · Interview

I threw myself
where no one knew me

안세진Ahn Sejin

Ahn Sejin majored in Chinese at university, then moved to the one place where no one knew her: China. She went from modeling to short-form drama and has played mostly villains. Off camera she stretches at home every day, prefers Pilates to yoga, and her first stop in any new city is the local gym.

Role
Actor · Model
Based in
China
Favorite workout
Pilates
In one word
A star
BetweenScenes
Between takes, between countries

XFORMA talks with Ahn Sejin about acting in Chinese, how two countries look at the body, and the one skincare step she never skips, however busy she gets.

An actor never knows when the next project will come, she says, so the body has to stay ready. The days between scenes are what really shape her.

01

On Acting

The Actor

How did you get into acting, and how is it different from modeling?

While I was modeling, a director I already knew suggested I give it a try, and I started with a short-form drama. If modeling is about expressing an emotion in a single moment, acting is about carrying it over a much longer breath.

What made you decide to work in China?

China has far more people than Korea, so I thought there would be more opportunities. I wanted to throw myself into a place where nobody knew me and find out what I was worth.

How did you learn Chinese, and what is hardest about acting in it?

I majored in Chinese at university, so I’ve always been interested in China. I was still new to acting, and doing it in Chinese meant looking up the pronunciation of every line before I could even start memorizing, with a lot of lines to get through. The hardest part, though, is emotion. Acting is about getting the feeling across, and Chinese dialogue carries culture and sentiment I don’t fully understand yet. I have to grasp that first, then bring it out in the performance.

Which set has stayed with you the most?

My most recent project, Mafia King. It wasn’t a lead role, but I wanted to act with more nuance than in my earlier work, so it’s the one I put the most effort into. Above all, I got to work with a great directing team and learned a lot on set.

“I wanted to throw myself into a place where nobody knew me and find out what I was worth.”
02

A Body Always Ready

The Body

What does training mean to you as an actor? Does the way you shape your body change from role to role?

You never know when the next project will come, so staying ready matters. It’s a routine I can’t skip. Depending on the role, I’ll get very slim or build a firmer, more toned look.

What does your training look like these days? How often do you work out?

I used to do a lot of high-intensity training at the gym, but these days I mostly work out at home, so my collection of small equipment keeps growing (laughs). Every day I do a stretching-based routine. Even at home, low intensity can get you a lot.

Last year you joined a one-day yoga class at the Mandarin Oriental Wangfujing in Beijing. What does yoga mean to you?

I happened to learn yoga at a studio near home in my early twenties, but honestly, I prefer Pilates. Yoga is better for calming body and mind. Pilates really helps with alignment.

Your filming schedule is irregular. What do you hold on to even when you’re busy?

Skincare. I’m often short on sleep and it shows on my skin right away, so even if I sleep a little less, I never cut corners on skincare.

How do you manage your diet, and when do you miss Korean food most?

When I’m not working on a project, I eat whatever I want. I’d still rather cook at home than order delivery. I make Korean food at home, so I rarely miss it. Fried chicken is the exception. I really crave it.

03

Life in Two Countries

Two Countries

What does a typical day in China look like? What’s most different from Korea?

Honestly, not much. I make a coffee as soon as I wake up, shoot content when I need to, and do a simple home workout. The biggest difference from Korea is probably that I can’t go to the dermatologist.

How do workout culture and gym atmosphere differ between Korea and China?

Fitness in China used to be mostly for people in specific circles. Recently, the idea of exercise has become a lot like it is in Korea. More people care about wellness, and many now squeeze in a workout during their lunch break.

Do the two countries see beauty and the body differently?

In China, a lot of people still prefer a very slim figure. China favors fair and slim, while in Korea curves and proportions matter more, don’t you think?

You’ve traveled a lot. Do you keep training on the road?

You can see it in my old travel videos: finding a local gym was the first thing I did after landing. I always eat more when I travel, so I feel better working out first and then heading out for the day.

04

Style

Style

You talk about beauty on your YouTube channel, Jin Se’an. How are training and skincare connected?

I think they’re inseparable. Sweating more during exercise can cause breakouts, and each situation needs its own care. Skin also differs from one part of the body and face to another, so the care has to match. That’s why I think of training and skincare as one thing.

Your short haircut this summer got a great response. How do you decide to change your look?

When I’m not filming, I do what I feel like. There was no big reason for the short hair. I just suddenly wanted it, so I cut it. After the change, even looking in the mirror felt new.

What do you look for first in activewear and swimwear?

With activewear, function comes first: it can’t get in the way of movement. Then style. I like to dress comfortably, so I also check whether I can wear it every day. With swimwear, style always comes first. If it looks good, that’s all that matters.

“Even if I sleep a little less, I never cut corners on skincare.”
05

What’s Next

What kind of role would you most like to play next?

I’ve mostly played villains, so I’d love to play someone plain and easygoing. I think I’d do even better with a character I can bring my real personality into.

Finally, a word for XFORMA’s readers?

I’m glad this interview gave me the chance to share my thoughts. I believe exercise should be a basic part of everyone’s life. Understanding your body and moving it is the easiest way to stay healthy, so I hope you’ll make it part of your routine without feeling it as a burden. And please remember the actor Ahn Sejin and cheer me on.

  • Most-played workout musicA pop playlist whose name roughly means “even the lost vibe comes back on the groove”
  • Always in my filming bagChewable mouthwash, eye drops, snacks
  • Favorite food in ChinaSuanlafen, hot and sour glass noodles
  • Where I’d go backThe Sahara
  • Me in one wordA star