Im Si-wan (also romanized as Yim Si-wan) has steadily been carving out his path as an actor over the past decade or so. Whether it’s portraying an undercover cop, a bright and hopeful intern about to be thrust into a hellish workplace environment, or even a soft, quiet boy whose silent strength and support bring everyone out of their shell, his range has only been growing and improving with time and experience. Squid Game is just another rung added to his growing belt of experiences, giving viewers something new to sink their teeth into.
In Squid Game, he portrays Myung-gi, a former influencer-turned-crypto-bro who enters the games to try to clear his cryptocurrency debts. His desires are mostly selfish, and this character quickly becomes one of the easiest ones to hate in the games due to his attitude and polarizing decisions. Despite Myung-gi ruffling feathers, Si-wan finds humanity within the character, even when it is merely to reveal how ugly humanity can be when self-preservation kicks in.
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Yet, Myung-gi is just the tip of the iceberg of what Im Si-wan can deliver. If you’re looking for something to watch next, check out these series and films that highlight the idol-turned-actor’s talent.
Misaeng: Incomplete Life
Director: Kim Won-suk
Writers: Yoon Tae-ho (webcomic), Jung Yoon-jung
Genre: Office
Where to Watch: Netflix
In Misaeng: Incomplete Life, Im Si-wan portrays Jang Geu-rae, who must now navigate the real world after failing to become a professional Baduk (also known as Go) player. Through a recommendation, Geu-rae secures an internship at a trading company, where he has to adapt quickly or face the devastating reality of failure. Failure is not an option, but working in the trading industry may be what breaks him.
The office drama Misaeng: Incomplete Life not only put the spotlight on Korean work culture, but also put Im Si-wan on the map as an actor. Before this, he had a couple of roles here and there as he transitioned from his boy band idol status into the next stage of his career. As Geu-rae, he is naive but quickly realizes the complexities of office dynamics, with workplace hierarchies, rules, and regulations serving as obstacles to his success.
Yet, part of why Geu-rae works as a character is because Si-wan never forgets the hope and tenacity his character needs to have us rooting for him. He infuses the character with such energy that it is infectious. Even as he grows and learns about the complexities of the real world, the light never leaves Si-wan’s eyes. And that light is what makes Si-wan’s Geu-rae an essential character to watch as he embarks on his journey of self-actualization.
Just be forewarned, if you have workplace trauma, this series may be a little rough to watch.
The Merciless
Director: Byun Sung-hyun
Writers: Byun Sung-hyun, Kim Min-soo
Genre: Crime
Where to Watch: Currently not available on streaming
The Merciless marked a significant change in roles for Im Si-wan, after he spent the earlier part of his career playing clean-cut, generally good characters. In the film, he portrays Hyun Soo, an undercover cop who is unafraid to risk his life in pursuit of his mission, even if it means losing what is important to him. When viewers first meet him, it’s after he enters a prison to try to find the head of a major drug gang. To do that, he teams up with Jae-ho (Sul Kyung-gu), the second in command of this gang, who seeks to become number one.
Hyun Soo is a meaty role and, at the time of release, a daring one for Si-wan. However, this is one dare that paid off for the actor, who got to fully deliver a character no one had seen him take on before. As Hyun Soo, he finds himself caught between two different worlds, both of which are willing to sacrifice him if it means achieving their goals. Yet, what everyone around Hyun Soo forgets is that, to be an undercover cop, one needs to become ruthless, and Si-wan is unafraid to go there in showcasing the emerging strength and brutality of the evolving cop.
As the role that showed that Im Si-wan not only had range, but was willing to tackle the unexpected, Hyun Soo is arguably the standout character of The Merciless. It has grit and an edge that ultimately kick-started Si-wan’s transition into darker, more complex roles. This is a film that is a must-add to your watchlist.
Strangers From Hell (also known as Hell Is Other People)
Director: Lee Chang-hee
Writers: Kim Yong-ki (webcomic), Jung Yi-do
Genre: Horror/Thriller/Mystery
Where to Watch: Roku Channel/Tubi
Based on the webcomic, Strangers From Hell follows Yoon Jong-woo (Im Si-wan), a writer from the countryside who has recently moved to Seoul to find work. Unfortunately, he soon finds it difficult to afford things, which leads him to the Eden Dormitory. It is cheap, but rundown, with neighbors who range from suspicious to genuinely unpleasant. He aims to make the best of it, but as time passes, things start to get weird. With anxieties and paranoia running high, you’ll have to watch all the way through to see how this series ends.
Im Si-wan’s portrayal of Jong-woo is tightly wound, with anger seemingly never far away. Stepping into an unfamiliar world, Jong-woo seems the most normal of Eden’s occupants. Si-wan keeps the energy grounded, adding an extra layer of relatability that makes it easier to connect with. As things become increasingly bizarre and intense, particularly
Towards the end of the series, the downward spiral Im Si-wan portrays is impeccably done. Feeding off of Lee Dong-wook‘s energy in scenes, victim and villain start to blur together. Strangers From Hell is arguably Im Si-wan’s strongest work, showcasing the depth of emotional range he can convey across a long-form series. With its open-to-interpretation ending, this horror-thriller series will give plenty for viewers to chew on, with Im Si-wan’s performance being one of the highlights.
Run On
Director: Lee Jae-hoon
Writer: Park Shi-hyun
Genre: Romance
Where to Watch: AMC+, Netflix
Run On is arguably where most know Im Si-wan from, and there’s a reason why this character is a memorable one from his filmography. In Run On, he portrays Ki Seon-gyeom, a former professional sprinter who has transitioned into working as a sports agent. Despite his prior popularity, his social skills are hard to come by, making for many awkward moments of silence and his failing to read the room. Things start to change when Seon-gyeom meets the translator, Oh Mi-joo (Shin Se-kyung), who believes they were destined to meet.
In the romance sphere, Im Si-wan tends to lean into more unconventional character roles. In Run On, Seon-gyeom lacks social skills, resulting in many moments of comedy, tension, and awkwardness for Si-wan to play with in his performance. With a face that seldom emotes and some crazy lines, Si-wan somehow finds a way to add charm to what could arguably be an incredibly unlikable Male Romantic Lead role.
Once Seon-gyeom meets Mi-joo, the two gradually begin to learn from one another and work on themselves. For Seon-gyeom, part of that journey involves learning how to communicate more effectively and form genuine connections, after spending most of his life neglected by his parents, who seldom connected with him. It is these connections that make Seon-gyeom grow, and how Im Si-wan reflects this growth in his performance makes this transition resonate.
Summer Strike
Directors: Lee Yoon-jung, Hong Moon-pyo
Writers: Joo Young-hyun (webcomic), Lee Yoon-jung, Hong Moon-pyo
Genre: Slice-of-life/Coming of Age
Where to Watch: Netflix
Set in the quiet and slower-paced countryside, Summer Strike features Im Si-wan as An Dae-beom, a nearly mute librarian who prefers the company of books over people. With the arrival of the city girl, Lee Yeo-reum (Seolhyun), life in the tiny countryside village of Angok starts to shift. She’s a bit hopeless, struggling to adapt to the strange residents, but Dae-beom offers a spot of hope with his silent presence. In time, both learn to open up and settle into themselves.
Dae-beom is one of Im Si-wan’s more understated roles, largely due to his character’s introverted and quiet nature. Yet, Si-wan fills the character with a quiet strength, one that ultimately ends up keeping Yeo-reum from going adrift in her new circumstances. The more time Dae-beom spends with Yeo-reum, the more he starts to open up.
Ask any introvert, though. It takes time to witness the gradual transformation, but subtle changes can be seen. It is in these micro-expressions and changes that Im Si-wan experiments. Drawing on his experiences from his role in Run On, he brings something new to the awkward individual he portrays.
Unlocked
Director: Kim Tae-joon
Writer: Kim Tae-joon
Genre: Thriller
Where to Watch: Netflix
In Unlocked, Lee Na-mi (Chun Woo-hee) finds herself the target of hacker, Oh Jun-yeong (Im Si-wan), with a fixation on not only bringing her down to her lowest point, but also completely tearing her apart. Always several steps ahead, it is made clear quickly that this hacker is no novice. He quickly leads this woman on a wild goose chase, and in the film’s final act, no one knows who will actually survive until the very end.
As the hacker in question, Im Si-wan plays things more subdued at first. Making great use of his trademark stoic expressions, his hacker is hard to read. All that can be surmised is that he is fixated on Nami and her world via her phone. The more he knows, the more he can rip her reality to shreds. And anyone who tries to intervene in his pursuit? He will decimate.
Im Si-wan is terrifying as this psychopath. He is, at first, innocuous, yet once the mask is ripped away, his sinister nature fully bubbles to the surface. You can truly believe that nothing will stop him from accomplishing his goals, and his goals spell the end for his victims. If you’re looking for a tense thriller with a new villain to side-eye, Unlocked should be added to your list.
Boyhood (also known as Once Upon a Boyhood)
Director: Lee Myung-woo
Writer: Kim Jae-hwan
Genre: Comedy/Revenge
Where to Watch: Viki
Boyhood, at its core, follows a high school student who becomes embroiled in a case of mistaken identity after transferring to a new school. Jang Byeong-tae (Im Si-wan) is constantly bullied, praying for the day when he is no longer picked on. And, to be honest, Si-wan plays him to a hilarious level of pathetic that easily explains why this kid is a target.
Everything changes when he transfers to a new school. Thanks to his finely honed reflexes from years of bullying, his classmates mistake him for the White Tiger, a student with mad fighting skills. This opens up a whole new array of complications, most of which result in incredibly funny moments in the first couple of episodes. At the heart of it all is Im Si-wan, who takes on the role of a bumbling high schooler who is just trying his best to survive.
This role does require some suspension of disbelief, as Si-wan is in his 30s and portrays a high school student. But what his appearance can’t quite gloss over, he makes up for it in his acting. Going all-in with his physicality and taking oscillating emotional swings, Im Si-wan spares nothing. It ultimately sells the character, making for some wildly amusing viewing even when things get serious.
This is just a sampling of Im Si-wan’s work to get you started on seeing the depths of his talent outside of Squid Game. Did your favorites not make our list? Did we leave one off? Let us know on social media @butwhytho.net on Bluesky.
Squid Game Season 1-3 are available now, exclusively on Netflix.
