Shim Eun-ha made her acting debut in 1993 after being recruited by MBC. In 1994, she starred in the basketball-themed TV drama "The Last Match", and quickly became the nation's most popular and talked-about star. After more forays in television (including the horror drama "M") and two lesser-known films (including "Born to Kill" with Jung Woo-sung), she made a permanent mark in the film industry with her performance in Hur Jin-ho's modern-day classic "Christmas in August" (1998). Later that year "Art Museum by the Zoo", which presented a more down-to-earth side of the actress, saw her win over more critical praise for her acting abilities. Throughout this period, Shim consistently topped magazine polls as the most popular actress in the film industry.