He is best known for his roles in the films Bichunmoo (2000), Guns & Talks (2001), Marrying the Mafia II (2005) and its sequel, Barefoot Ki-bong (2006), as well as the television series Stairway to Heaven (2003–2004).

[2] In recent years Shin has turned more towards popular cinema, finding his greatest success in fantasy/sci-fi works such as The Gingko Bed, The Soul Guardians, and the Korean-Chinese co-production Bichunmoo, as well as gangster comedies Marrying the Mafia II and Guns & Talks.

[4] A devout Christian, he published a photo-essay book Shin Hyun-joon's Confessions in 2008, which documented his personal insights into life and faith.

Confessions contained a foreword from Hong Kong star Jackie Chan as well as religious testimonies from other Korean celebrities such as Choi Ji-woo, Kim Won-hee and Nam Hee-seok.

[11][12] His wife studied for a doctorate in music in the U.S., and Shin said on his show Entertainment Weekly that he bumped into her in the doorway of a building and fell in love with her at first sight.