As K-drama enthusiasts, we often find ourselves captivated by the magnetic performances of our favorite actors, and one name that has been making waves in the world of Korean television is Seol In-ah. In the enthralling K-drama "Oasis," Seol In-ah takes on a role that is both complex and compelling, leaving viewers spellbound with her portrayal.
Join us on an exciting journey as we delve into everything you need to know about Seol In-ah's remarkable character in "Oasis." From her captivating on-screen presence to the intriguing plot twists that define this gripping series, we're here to provide you with a comprehensive exploration of Seol In-ah's role and the impact it has had on K-drama fans worldwide.
Who Is Seol In-ah?
Seol In-ah has a face and a voice you won’t soon forget. Born in 1996 as Bang Ye-rin, she majored in acting at the Seoul Institute of the Arts. She started her career with minor acting roles in 2015-16 before moving on to supporting roles in Strong Girl Bong-soon (2016-2017) and School 2017 (2017, below).
Image Credits: KBS2 via Dramabeans
Seol’s first lead role was in the 2018 k-drama Sunny Again Tomorrow, where she played entrepreneur-turned-fashion company CEO Kang Ha-nee. For the performance, she won the Best New Actress Award at the KBS Drama Awards that year.
The following year, Seol played the ambitious Kim Cheong-Ah in Beautiful Love, Wonderful Life (2019-2020). She won the Excellence Award for Actress in a Serial Drama at that year’s KBS Drama Awards.
Seol took a more anti-heroic turn in Mr. Queen (2020-2021) as Jo Hwa-jin, the female second lead. While some fans were unhappy with Hwa-jin’s actions, it was a chance for the actress to play a new type of character, one who is being manipulated by the villains but ultimately chooses to side with the good guys.
Apart from appearing in two episodes of Law of the Jungle – Pent Island: Island of Desire, Seol had a quiet 2021. In 2022, however, she starred as Jin Young-seo in Business Proposal, the friend of the main female lead and one half of the second lead couple. She shared the Best Couple award with her co-star Kim Min-kyu at the SBS Drama Awards at the end of that year.
In 2022, Seol also made her feature film debut. She played a minor role as flight attendant Lim Tae-Eun in disaster thriller Emergency Declaration. Finally, she released her first solo single, “Pure Love,” in partnership with vegan brand Marhen.J.
What is Oasis About?
Oasis is a mixture of several different genres. Historically, it’s set in the 80’s and 90’s (although it starts in the 1970’s), at a time when South Korea was in a state of political upheaval. Viewers are treated to costume changes and cultural references that are reminiscent of the Reply series.
Top to Bottom: KBS2 via DryedMangoez.com/ KVS2 via Dramabeans
It's also a coming-of-age tale, with the male leads Doo-hak and Cheol-woong starting out as friends and taking drastically different paths as the story progresses. As they mature (there are a few time skips), the boys and Seol’s character Jung-shin face a dangerous world that makes them both stronger and more vulnerable.
Keeping the characters and audiences on their toes, Oasis has many moments of tension and dark secrets that people will stop at nothing to get hidden. You could say that this show has thriller elements, especially as we get closer to the finale.
Image Credits: KBS2 via Leo Sigh
At its heart, though, Oasis is a melodrama. The main conflict is the love triangle between Doo-hak, a farmer’s son; the well-to-do Cheol-woong; and newly-arrived honors student Jung-shin. Love can make us do things we never imagined (as Hwa-jin learned in Mr. Queen), and our leads are in for a wild ride in Oasis.
Image Credits: KBS2 via DryedMangoez.com
Oasis aired on KBS2 from March 6 to April 25 and is available for streaming on Viki and Wavve. It was one of the highest-rated k-dramas in early 2023, with the finale achieving an average rating of 9.7% nationwide.
Oh Jung-shin: A Female Lead to Remember
Oh Jung-shin is the female lead, but she isn’t only the member of a messy love triangle. Early on, Jung-shin shows she's capable of standing up for herself, and she won’t hesitate to use her words or fists to protect herself and her allies.
Image Credits: KBS2 via Dramabeans
She also isn’t just a pretty face with life being handed to her on a plate. In fact, she goes through a difficult time after her father dies and his movie theater starts doing badly. Jung-shin stays loyal to the family business, even willing to make some risky decisions to keep the theater going.
What fans appreciated the most was that Jung-shin isn’t just a helpless damsel in distress. From the start, she tells Cheol-woong and Doo-hak that she’ll decide who she wants to date. (Surprise to no one: it’s Doo-hak.) Oasis not only flips the script on its head by having our main couple already determined, but it also gives the female lead lots of agency, something that older shows with love triangles didn’t do.
Image Credits: KBS2 via Dramabeans
Cheol-woong’s jealousy results in many painful moments of separation, but even as the odds are stacked against them, Jung-shin is willing to fight for herself and Doo-hak. Whether it’s friendzoning Cheol-woong or literally putting herself between a gun and Doo-hak, Jung-shin shows her love through her actions, making her a true friend and loyal partner.
Image Credits: KBS2 via Dramabeans
All in all, Oasis was a great show with an engaging story, relatable characters, and amazing performances. Seol shone in her role as a confident heroine willing to stand up for herself and her loved ones. Jung-shin is definitely a female lead to remember.
Image Credits: KBS2 via Dramabeans
What’s Next for Seol In-ah?
Oasis isn’t Seol’s only k-drama for 2023. Later this year, she’ll appear in Sparkling Watermelon, a show about a boy who time travels and starts a band with the younger version of his father. Seol will play Se-gyeong, a beautiful and talented cello student. Sparkling Watermelon will air its first episode on September 5 on tvN and Netflix.
Image Credits: Image via Soompi
In February 2023, Seol appeared in her second feature film, Love My Scent, as female lead A-ra. The rom-com centers around a man who gets a woman to fall in love with him through a magical perfume. With such a variety of projects, we're looking forward to what Seol will do in the future.
Have you seen Oasis? What did you think of Seol In-ah’s performance? Let us know and comment your favorite Seol In-ah drama below!
