Shin Ae-ra

Shin Ae-ra (Korean: 신애라) is a South Korean actress who made her acting debut in 1989. She has since played leading roles in television dramas such as Love in Your Arms and Bad Housewife. In 1995, Shin married actor Cha In-pyo, and the couple gained widespread admiration and respect from the Korean public for being philanthropists. They are active volunteers at orphanages and welfare centers, as well as generous donors to causes such as the fight against child abuse and school violence, rights for North Korean refugees, and humanitarian aid to underprivileged children (particularly in North Korea and Uganda). Shin and Cha often collaborate with organizations such as Compassion International and the Social Welfare Society. Shin Ae-ra and her husband Cha In-pyo, have three children. Shin gave birth to their son, Cha Jeong-min in 1998, but she and her husband made headlines when they adopted baby girls, Cha Ye-eun in 2005, and Cha Ye-jin in 2008. Their case highlighted the issue of adoption in Korea, where despite the prevalence of overseas adoption, domestic adoption remains rare and is often stigmatized due to culturally held beliefs stressing "pure" bloodlines. Shin and Cha's case was even more notable as it is uncommon for Korean couples with biological children of their own to adopt, and they were lauded for serving as positive role models.