Im Si-wan

Biography:

Im Si-wan, born Im Woong-jae on December 1, 1988, in Busan, South Korea, is a South Korean actor and singer. He is a member of the boy band ZE:A and its sub-group ZE:A Five. As an actor, he gained widespread recognition for his performances in The Attorney (2013) and the hit drama Misaeng: Incomplete Life (2014). His work in film and television earned him a place among the Korean Film Council’s selection of 200 actors representing the present and future of Korea’s movie scene.

Si-wan initially pursued an academic path, studying at multiple institutions, including Pusan National University. Before his entertainment career, he legally changed his name from Im Woong-jae. He was discovered at the Chin Chin Song Festival in Busan and later joined Star Empire Entertainment as a trainee. In 2009, he debuted as a member of the group ZE:A, taking on the stage name Si-wan.

His breakthrough in acting came in 2012 with the historical drama Moon Embracing the Sun, which became a national sensation. He followed this with roles in Man from the Equator, Standby, and Drama Special Waiting for Love. In 2013, he starred in The Attorney, playing a student activist, a role that earned him critical acclaim and Best New Actor awards. The film was a massive box office success, selling over 11 million tickets.

His television career reached new heights with Misaeng: Incomplete Life (2014), where he portrayed a former baduk player adjusting to corporate life. The series became a cultural phenomenon, earning him multiple acting awards.

Si-wan took on diverse roles in subsequent years. He played a soldier in A Melody to Remember (2016), a conman in One Line (2017), and an undercover cop in The Merciless (2017), which led to his first Cannes Film Festival appearance. He also starred as an ambitious prince in The King in Love (2017).

After completing his military service from 2017 to 2019, he returned to acting with Hell Is Other People (2019). His film credits include Boston 1947 and Emergency Declaration, where he played a bioterrorist, earning multiple award nominations. He also starred in dramas like Run On (2020), Tracer (2022), and Summer Strike (2022).

In 2023, Si-wan held a fan concert and was cast in Squid Game Season 2. He also starred in Boyhood, receiving rave reviews and a Best Actor nomination at the Baeksang Arts Awards.

Beyond acting, he has served as a brand ambassador for companies like Narwal and Nongshim. His philanthropic efforts include donations to disaster relief and charitable causes, such as supporting victims of the Ukraine war, South Korea floods, and the Turkey–Syria earthquakes.

With a career marked by versatility and dedication, Im Si-wan continues to establish himself as a leading figure in South Korean entertainment.