Im Si Wan is a well-known name, but many people don’t know that he’s an idol turned actor! Si Wan made his K-pop debut as the vocalist and visual of the boy group ZE:A! Yes, he’s part of the 2nd generation idols, and some of his former members are Park Hyung Sik (“Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth“), Kim Dong Jun (“Delicious Rendezvous“), and Hwang Kwang Hee (“Weekly Idol“)!
Like everyone else, I met Im Si Wan through K-dramas! I was mesmerized by his performance in “The King in Love” and empathized with his character, who is in unrequited love with the female lead! (Trivia and a tiny spoiler: “The King in Love” is the only drama I’ve ever watched where the male lead doesn’t end up with the female lead!) I genuinely felt the emotions he was attempting to depict as Wang Won, and it was at that moment, that I realized I wanted to get to know more about Im Si Wan.
For those who don’t know, there is a bias towards idols who have turned into actors because of their backgrounds, arguing that idols can’t act, but many idols like Siwan, have already proved their abilities.
What Sets Siwan Apart From Other Idol-Turned Actor
1. Started as a Supporting Actor
When I first started liking Siwan, I tried to watch almost all of his old dramas, like “The Man from the Equator” and “The Moon Embracing the Sun,” in which he played the young version of the leads! Siwan’s versatility as an actor truly amazes me, considering he’s just a rookie at that time!
2. Has Tried Different Genres
When Siwan transitioned into the lead actor, he played different roles ranging from a slice of life, romance, historical, thriller, action, and more! He has never played a character similar to his previous roles because he transformed into a completely different character!
I love practically all Siwan dramas, but the psychological thriller “Strangers From Hell” and romance slice-of-life “Run On” are my absolute favorites! Siwan demonstrated his talent as an actor in “Strangers From Hell” when he played a writer who settles into an eerie cheap dormitory full of strange inmates. Siwan is insane for portraying this character so brilliantly!
A year after appearing in the frightening and dark “Strangers From Hell,” Siwan played the softest, most adorable, cutest male lead ever in “Run On.” These roles take a special kind of actor to represent them flawlessly. I have no words to describe Siwan’s choice of dramas since I know he will excel in whichever role he plays!
3. Award-Winning Actor
Im Si Wan is an award-winning actor! He won numerous ‘Best New Actor’ accolades after starring in the critically acclaimed “Misaeng: The Incomplete Life,” including at the prestigious Baeksang Arts Awards!
Siwan’s recent action-thriller “Tracer” earned him another nomination in the prestigious Baeksang Arts Awards, this time for “Best Actor”! I think that’s already a reason why we should watch “Tracer” in KOCOWA!
Besides K-Dramas, Siwan is also pursuing a career in movies! He was the first idol turned actor to attend the Cannes Film Festival last 2017!
4. He Studies The Script So Well To Be One With The Character
Siwan is well-known for his attention to detail when it comes to scripts and characters. He has studied his role so well that he can do adlibs! Siwan revealed during the “Tracer” press conference that he asked for advice from National Tax Agency employees to accurately play his character. In “Run On,” Siwan studied his role so well that it’s easy for him to do an adlib and make it look like part of the script!
Watch Siwan’s Latest K-drama “Tracer” on KOCOWA!
Siwan’s latest K-drama “Tracer” is now available for streaming on KOCOWA! The action-thriller stars Im Si Wan, Ko A Sung, Son Hyun Joo, and Park Yong Woo. It revolves around the people working at the National Tax Service!
The drama premiered last January and is a big hit in South Korea! It set the record of being the highest Friday and Saturday viewership ratings on its OTT platform wavve! The show’s television ratings have remained stable throughout the course of the series, and the finale garnered a 9.8% viewership rating!
If you’re looking for more reasons to watch “Tracer” and know more about the characters, you can read this synopsis and character deep-dive! Let’s watch the most anticipated K-drama, “Tracer,” by subscribing to KOCOWA!
