Shin Goo recalls choosing theater over an elite track

Actor Shin Goo spoke about his academic background and his decision to pursue acting on the YouTube program 'Zzanbro Shin Dong-yup,' released on July 13, 2026.

The episode featured Shin Goo, Lee Sang-yoon and Jo Dal-hwan with hosts Shin Dong-yup and Jung Ho-chul. The program also noted that Shin Dong-yup, who studied theater at Seoul Institute of the Arts, was a much younger junior to Shin Goo, who belonged to the 1st class of Korean Theatre Academy, the predecessor of Seoul Institute of the Arts.

Shin Goo graduated from Gyeonggi Middle School and Gyeonggi High School, which the program described as leading schools at the time. The program said his 52nd class at Gyeonggi High School included several figures such as a former National Intelligence Service director and a major conglomerate chairman.

Shin Goo recalled that people around him were worried when he said he would become an actor, in an era when stable jobs were preferred and social views of actors were unfavorable. He said he did not waver from that path.

Shin Goo said, 'Even now, I am happiest when I stand on the theater stage,' and added, 'When I am doing theater, no other distracting thoughts come to mind.' The program showed the younger performers responding to his continued attachment to the stage.