Geline Salac

Im Si-wan in a promotional photo for 'Squid Game 2.' Photo from Netflix Korea's Instagram account

Article (news)

Crushing on Im Si-wan? Check out these K-dramas, films

Jaehwa Bernardo

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:959px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1735809583020SIWAN.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Im Si-wan in a promotional photo for &#x27;Squid Game 2.&#x27; <em>Photo from Netflix Korea&#x27;s Instagram account</em></span></span></span>Fans of Korean dramas have probably seen their social media feeds flooded with posts about the dashing Im Si-wan, who recently joined the cast of “Squid Game” as a YouTuber who loses his money in a crypto scam, driving him to join the deadly contest.</div><p>Though a fresh face in the Netflix survival drama, Si-wan, 36, has long been a fixture in South Korea’s entertainment industry. He initially debuted in 2010 as a member of the K-pop boy group ZE:A, alongside <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/2024/2/18/park-hyung-sik-tells-passionate-pinoy-fans-you-re-the-best-1301"><strong>Park Hyung-sik</strong></a>, before transitioning to acting.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:959px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1735809627857Squidgame_Unit_203_N045290.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Si-wan in &#x27;Squid Game 2.&#x27; <em>Photo courtesy of Netflix</em></span></span></span>Over the years, Si-wan has demonstrated his versatility by taking on a wide range of roles in projects across various genres, from romance to thrillers. If you’re new to the Si-wan fan club, we’ve rounded up some of his notable TV shows and films (apart from “Squid Game,” of course) that we recommend you check out.</div><div><strong>Misaeng: Incomplete Life (2014)</strong></div><p><strong>Also Starring:</strong> Lee Sung-min, Kang So-ra, Kang Ha-neul, Byun Yo-han, Kim Dae-myung, Park Hae-joon, Kim Hee-won</p><p><strong>Stream on: </strong>Netflix</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-WI-GdRBp0E?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span>In “Misaeng,” Si-wan brings to life Jang Geu-rae, a man who fails to become a professional baduk player and struggles to find a proper job due to his lack of higher education. He eventually lands an internship at a trading company, where he faces the harsh realities of corporate life. The series was a success, <a href="https://www.koreaherald.com/article/271086"><strong>garnering high viewership ratings</strong></a> and acclaim for its compelling portrayal of workplace struggles. Si-wan&#x27;s performance even earned him the best new actor prize at the Baeksang Arts Awards.</div><div><strong>Strangers from Hell (2019)</strong></div><p><strong>Also Starring:</strong> Lee Dong-wook</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bc85-DZwopU?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>The thriller series “Strangers from Hell” follows Si-wan’s Yoon Jong-woo, an aspiring writer who moves to Seoul from the countryside after receiving an internship offer. He rents a room at a cheap dormitory, only to become increasingly suspicious of his eccentric and unsettling neighbors, whose strange behaviors soon lead him to doubt the safety of his new home.</p><div><strong>Run On (2020)</strong></div><p><strong>Also Starring: </strong>Shin Se-kyung, Choi Soo-young, Kang Tae-oh</p><p><strong>Stream on: </strong>Netflix</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KVsok-tMcYw?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>A sports and romance drama, “Run On” features Si-wan as Ki Seon-gyeom, a former national track and field athlete who consistently finishes in second place. When he meets and starts working with film translator Oh Mi-joo (played by Se-kyung), a connection forms between them, eventually blossoming into romance.</p><div><strong>Emergency Declaration (2021)</strong></div><p><strong>Also Starring: </strong>Song Kang-ho, Lee Byung-hyun, Jeon Do-yeon, Kim Nam-gil, Kim So-jin, Park Hae-joon</p><p><strong>Stream on: </strong>Prime Video</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bR27YmkAK24?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>Boasting an all-star cast that includes Cannes-winning actors Song Kang-ho and Jeon Do-yeon, the gripping film “Emergency Declaration” depicts a terrifying crisis as a flight from Seoul to Honolulu turns into an emergency after a deadly virus is released on board. Despite sharing the screen with such veteran stars, Si-wan shines in his role as the disgruntled young scientist Jin-seok, earning nominations for best supporting actor at several prestigious Korean award shows.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/09/01/22/movie-review-emergency-declaration-is-packed-with-thrills"><strong>REVIEW: ‘Emergency Declaration’ is packed with thrills<br/></strong></a></div><div><strong>Summer Strike (2022)</strong></div><p><strong>Also Starring:</strong> Kim Seol-hyun</p><p><strong>Stream on: </strong>Netflix</p><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/ClIEXDvgbl4/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=596&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A2014624.0999999642%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="510" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>The series “Summer Strike” follows two people who find healing and love in the peacefulness of a remote town. Sparks fly when Lee Yeo-reum (played by Seol-hyun, another K-pop star-turned-actress) leaves her life in Seoul behind and moves to a small town, where she meets Ahn Dae-beom (Si-wan), a math genius working as a local librarian.</p><div><strong>Unlocked (2023)</strong></div><p><strong>Also Starring: </strong>Chun Woo-hee, Kim Hee-won</p><p><strong>Stream on:</strong> Netflix</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/k8qGElYoAoU?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>A film that will have you thinking twice about your smartphone, “Unlocked” sees Si-wan play Jun-young, a dangerous man who gains access to a woman&#x27;s personal information after finding her lost phone. As he manipulates her life, her world is turned upside down — a situation that seems to be linked to a string of murder cases.</p>

<p>Though a fresh face in Netflix's 'Squid Game,' Im Si-wan has long been a fixture in the entertainment industry, taking on a wide range of roles in projects across various genres, from romance to thrillers.</p>

Though a fresh face in Netflix's 'Squid Game,' Im Si-wan has long been a fixture in the entertainment industry, taking on a wide range of roles in projects across various genres, from romance to thrillers.