table of content table of content
- 1. Misaeng (2014) – Jang Geu-rae
- 2. Strangers from Hell (2019) – Yoon Jong-woo
- 3. Run On (2020) – Ki Seon-gyeom
- 4. Summer Strike (2022) – Ahn Dae-beom
- 5. Boyhood (2023) – Jang Byeong-tae
- 6. The King in Love (2017) – Wang Won
- 7. *Squid Game*, Seasons 2 and 3 (2024–2025) – Lee Myung-gi
- An actor who continues to surprise us
Since the launch of Love in Disguise (Love Undercover), Yim Si-wan is the talk of the town. In this romantic comedy with a touch of mystery, the actor plays Yoon Yi-jun, an heir who is as arrogant as he is unpredictable and who is suspected of murder. This colorful character seems to have won over audiences, thanks in large part to the actor’s ability to make him endearing despite his many flaws.
But those who are discovering Yim Si-wan in this new drama are far from having seen it all. A former member of the K-pop group ZE, he has built up a particularly diverse filmography, ranging from romance to psychological thrillers, not to mention comedy and social dramas. Here are 7 of his best K-dramas to check out next Love in Disguise.
1. Misaeng (2014) – Jang Geu-rae
In Misaeng (Incomplete Life), Yim Si-wan plays Jang Geu-rae, a young man who devoted his life to baduk, the game of Go, before being forced to give up his dream of becoming a professional player. With no prestigious degree or real-world experience, he lands an internship at a major company where he struggles to find his place.
Amid contemptuous coworkers, pressure from superiors, and endless workdays, Geu-rae discovers the harsh reality of the working world. Yim Si-wan delivers a particularly moving performance as this awkward but determined young man, who tries to prove his worth despite the obstacles. A deeply moving drama, considered one of the defining roles of his career.
- Where to watch: Netflix, depending on your region.
2. Strangers from Hell (2019) – Yoon Jong-woo
A complete change of atmosphere with Strangers from Hell, a particularly unsettling psychological thriller. In it, Yim Si-wan plays Yoon Jong-woo, a young writer who moves to Seoul and rents a room in a budget apartment complex called Eden Studio.
Before long, his neighbors’ disturbing behavior and his encounter with the mysterious dentist Seo Moon-jo (Lee Dong-wook) turn his daily life into a living nightmare. As fear and paranoia take hold, Jong-woo himself begins to change. Yim Si-wan is captivating in this slow descent into hell, proving that he can be just as compelling in a dark role as he is in a romance.
- Where to watch: on Viki, under the title «Hell is Other People»
3. Run On (2020) – Ki Seon-gyeom
On a much lighter note, Run On The story follows Ki Seon-gyeom, a professional sprinter from an influential family, whose life takes a new turn when he meets Oh Mi-joo (Shin Se-kyung), a subtitle translator who is passionate about movies.
Far from romances built on endless misunderstandings, this drama focuses on sincere conversations and small, everyday gestures. Seon-gyeom is a character who can be a bit clumsy in the way he communicates, but he is deeply honest and thoughtful. Yim Si-wan brings a disarming gentleness to the role, while his chemistry with Shin Se-kyung makes their relationship seem particularly natural.
- Where to watch: on Netflix.
4. Summer Strike (2022) – Ahn Dae-beom
Need a feel-good drama? Summer Strike tells the story of Lee Yeo-reum (Seolhyun), a young woman exhausted by her life in Seoul who decides to leave it all behind and move to a small coastal town.
There, she meets Ahn Dae-beom, an introverted librarian played by Yim Si-wan. Behind his reserved demeanor lies a man haunted by a painful past, who gradually opens up as he gets to know Yeo-reum. Their relationship develops slowly, through glances and small gestures of kindness. A role full of subtlety, even though the drama also tackles darker themes than its peaceful atmosphere might suggest.
- Where to Watch: Rakuten Viki by Region. «Grève d’été» in French on Viki.
5. Boyhood (2023) – Jang Byeong-tae
With Boyhood, Yim Si-wan reveals a much more comedic side of his talent. Set in the 1980s, the series follows Jang Byeong-tae, a high school student who is regularly bullied and hopes to make a fresh start after moving.
But a misunderstanding leads his new classmates to mistake him for a fearsome fighter nicknamed the «White Tiger.» Overnight, the teenager whom everyone used to bully becomes someone the others fear. Amid absurd situations and more touching moments, Yim Si-wan impresses with his comedic timing, while adding depth to a character facing school violence.
- Where to watch: Viki, Prime Video (depending on the country; not available in France).
6. The King in Love (2017) – Wang Won
Let's head to the Kingdom of Goryeo with The King in Love, a romantic sageuk in which Yim Si-wan plays Wang Won, an intelligent and ambitious crown prince whose friendship with Wang Rin (Hong Jong-hyun) is put to the test when they fall in love with the same woman, Eun San (YoonA).
Caught between his emotions, loyalty, and political intrigues, Wang Won proves to be far more complex than he first appears. Capable of great tenderness, he can also become calculating when it comes to protecting his power. An intense role that allows Yim Si-wan to explore the contradictions of a character torn between love and ambition.
- Where to watch: Apple TV, Kocowa.
7. *Squid Game*, Seasons 2 and 3 (2024–2025) – Lee Myung-gi
In Seasons 2 and 3 of Squid Game, Yim Si-wan plays Lee Myung-gi, a former cryptocurrency influencer whose financial advice has ruined many people. Deep in debt, he takes part in deadly games, where he runs into his ex-girlfriend, Kim Jun-hee (Jo Yu-ri).
Far from being a flawless hero, Myung-gi is a selfish, calculating character who is sometimes hard to defend. Yim Si-wan skillfully plays on this ambiguity, showing how fear and the instinct for survival can bring out the worst in a person. A performance that confirms his ease in morally complex roles.
- Where to watch: Netflix.
An actor who continues to surprise us
From the unassuming employee at Misaeng the unsettling character of Strangers from Hell, including the romantic hero of Run On and the clumsy teenager from Boyhood, Yim Si-wan has this rare ability to reinvent himself from one role to the next. And his film career, particularly with Unlocked and The Merciless, only serves to confirm this versatility.
With Love in Disguise, currently airing on Prime Video, he adds another memorable character to his filmography. Yoon Yi-jun is over-the-top, unpredictable, and at times downright annoying, but it is precisely this mix of flaws and vulnerability that makes him so interesting to watch.
What about you—what’s your favorite role by Yim Si-wan? Did you first discover him in Love in Disguise, Run On, Squid Game or another drama?
