Im Si-wan was scouted by Star Empire as a trainee while attending Chin Chin Song Festival in Busan. He then trained for three years as a member of “Children of Empire,” but on January 7, 2010, the group debuted with their EP, Nativity under the name “ZE:A.”
Even while working as an idol, he entered into the acting world and has been accorded by impressive nominations and awards ever since. Im Si-wan’s claim to fame was undeniably his average office guy character, Jang Geu-rae in the office drama Misaeng, but he’s definitely not your mediocre actor.
On July 11, 2017, he enlisted for his mandatory military service. During his active duty, he was chosen to be an assistant instructor for new recruits. He was discharged on March 27, 2019. In an interview with Cosmopolitan Korea, he revealed that he donated all of his salary from his military service to Hyochon primary school, and even volunteered to teach math to the kids.
Ahjummamshies, let’s welcome another addition to the roll, Im Si-wan!
The Moon Embracing The Sun (MBC / 2012) – Heo Yeom (teen)
He debuted on Korean TV via the mega-hit Moon Embracing the Sun playing the young Heo Yeom.
Man From the Equator (KBS2 / 2012) – Lee Jang-il (teen)
He portrayed another teen counterpart of the lead actor in the 2012 besties-turned-rival revenge drama Man From The Equator.
Standby (MBC / 2012) – Im Si-wan
2012 was a busy year for him as he also starred as a main cast of the MBC sitcom Standby.
Reply 1997 (tvN / 2012) – Jeong Seok-won (ep.4)
He made a cameo in the first Shin-Lee drama project, Reply 1997! He is Siwon’s (played by Jung Eun-ji) ROTC oppa from Seoul.
Pure Love (KBS2 / 2013) – Jung Woo-sung (young)
In 2013, he and Han Seun-yeon played the young versions of Pure Love‘s main leads Kim Sun-mi and Jung Woo-sung.
Hope For Love (KBS2 / 2013) – Jung Jin-kook
In 2013, he took part in the KBS drama special, Hope For Love. Siwan teases us with his romantic-comedy acting chops in this 2-episode series with Boa, Choi Daniel and Kim Ji-won
The Attorney (Movie / 2013) – Park Jin-woo
He won his first major acting award after playing an activist in the critically and commercially acclaimed film, The Attorney.
Triangle (MBC / 2014) – Yoon Yang-ha / Jang Dong-woo (youngest brother)
He played the role of cynical and cold hearted chaebol Jang Dong-woo / Yoon Yang-ha in the 2014 MBC melodrama Triangle. Here, Siwan worked with Lee Bum-soo, Kim Jae-joong, Oh Yeon-soo and Baek Jin-hee.
Misaeng: Incomplete Life (tvN / 2014) – Jang Geu-rae
He won the Excellence Award in Acting at the 4th APAN Star Awards and the Best New Actor Award at the 2015 (51st) BaekSang Arts Awards for his performance as Jang Geu-rae in the hit drama Misaeng.
A Melody To Remember (Movie / 2016) – Second Lieutenant Han Sang-Yeol
Starring in his first lead role in a movie, Siwan played good-hearted soldier Han Sang-ryeol in the war drama film A Melody To Remember.
One-Line (Movie / 2017) – Min-jae
He made a big shift from doing nice guy roles to portraying a con-man in the crime thriller film One-Line.
The Merciless (Movie / 2017) – Jo Hyun-soo
He top-billed the 2016 action flick The Merciless as an undercover cop who works for a drug-smuggling ring. He worked together with veteran Chungmuro stars Sol Kyung-gu, Kim Hee-won, and Jeon Hye-jin.
The King Loves (MBC / 2017) – Wang Won
Right before he enlisted in the military in 2017, he gifted his fans with the romance saeguk The King Loves playing the young king, Wang Won.
Strangers From Hell (OCN / 2019) – Yoon Jong-woo
Last year, he worked with Lee Dong-wook in the TV adaptation of the webtoon Strangers From Hell.
Run On (JTBC / 2020) – Ki Sun-gyeom
He plays the role of Ki Sun-gyeom, a former athlete of the national track and field team who was forced to retire due to an unfortunate incident.
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