Yim Si-wan Age and Movies: Best Films That Made Him Famous
Yim Si-wan age is one of the most searched details about the Korean star, especially after more global viewers discovered him through Squid Game. He was born on December 1, 1988, in Busan, South Korea, which makes Yim Si-wan 37 years old as of May 2026. He will turn 38 on December 1, 2026. His birth name is listed as Yim Woong-jae, and he later became widely known by his stage and legal name Yim Si-wan, also written as Im Si-wan.
Many fans first knew him as Siwan from ZE:A, but his acting career has become just as important as his idol background. Over the years, he has moved from emotional dramas to crime thrillers, disaster films, Netflix projects, and big Korean cinema releases. That is why searches like Im Si-wan age, Yim Si-wan movies, Yim Si-wan birthday, Im Si-wan real name, and Yim Si-wan filmography often appear together.
Who Is Yim Si-wan?
Yim Si-wan is a South Korean singer and actor who became famous as a member of the K-pop boy group ZE:A. He later built a strong reputation as an actor through projects like The Attorney, Misaeng: Incomplete Life, Run On, Strangers from Hell, Unlocked, and Squid Game. Famous Birthdays also notes that he is known for ZE:A, Misaeng, The Attorney, and his role as Player 333 in Squid Game.
What makes his career interesting is how naturally he moved from music to acting. Many idol-actors struggle to be taken seriously at first, but Im Si-wan actor searches grew because audiences noticed his quiet emotional control, sharp expressions, and ability to play both soft and unsettling characters. He does not rely on loud acting. His strength is often in the small details: a pause, a look, or a calm line delivered with tension underneath.
Yim Si-wan Age, Birthday, and Early Life
For anyone searching how old is Yim Si-wan, the answer is simple: Yim Si-wan is 37 years old in 2026. His birthday is December 1, 1988, and his zodiac sign is Sagittarius. BirthdayBuddies and Kpopping both list his birth date as December 1, 1988, with Busan, South Korea, given as his birthplace.
His age often surprises people because he still has a youthful screen image. Some fans know him as a second-generation K-pop idol, while newer viewers may only know him as Lee Myung-gi / Player 333 from Squid Game. That wide fanbase is one reason keywords like Yim Si-wan age 2026, Im Si-wan birthday, Korean actor Yim Si-wan, and Squid Game actor age keep getting searched.
What Is Yim Si-wan’s Real Name?
Im Si-wan’s real birth name is Yim Woong-jae. AsianWiki lists his birth name as Yim Woong-Jae and notes that he later legally changed his name to Im Si-Wan before his debut.
You may see his name written in different ways online, including Yim Si-wan, Im Si-wan, Yim Si-Wan, Im Siwan, or simply Siwan. These variations usually refer to the same actor. His Korean name is written as 임시완.
From ZE:A Idol to Serious Korean Actor
Before becoming one of the most respected idol-actors in Korea, Yim Si-wan debuted with ZE:A in 2010. Kpopping lists his ZE:A debut date as January 7, 2010, and notes his background as a vocalist, actor, and member of the group.
His acting rise did not happen overnight. He started gaining attention through television roles, then made a major step forward with Korean cinema. Instead of only choosing safe idol-friendly roles, he took on parts that pushed his image into more serious territory. That decision helped turn ZE:A Siwan into actor Im Si-wan, a name now connected with both Korean dramas and Korean movies.
The Attorney 2013
The Attorney is one of the most important movies in Yim Si-wan’s filmography. In the film, he played Park Jin-woo, a young student whose story carries emotional weight in the courtroom drama. Wikipedia notes that The Attorney became a major critical and commercial success, selling more than 11 million tickets in South Korea.
This movie mattered because it proved that Im Si-wan was not just an idol appearing in films for attention. His performance had pain, fear, and vulnerability, and it helped audiences see him as a serious actor. For many viewers, The Attorney Yim Si-wan became the first clear sign that he had a future beyond music.
A Melody to Remember 2016
A Melody to Remember gave Yim Si-wan another emotional role. AsianWiki lists him as Second Lieutenant Han Sang-Yeol in the 2016 film.
This movie showed a softer side of his acting. Instead of relying on intensity or mystery, he played a soldier connected to children during wartime. The role suited his gentle screen presence and helped build his reputation in emotional Korean films. People searching Yim Si-wan movies often find this title because it sits between his early breakout and his later darker roles.
One-Line 2017
In One-Line, Yim Si-wan moved into crime-film territory. AsianWiki lists his role as Min-Jae in the 2017 movie.
This film was useful for his career because it moved him away from only innocent or clean-cut roles. He played a character involved in fraud and deception, which allowed him to show more charm, confidence, and moral flexibility. For an actor coming from a K-pop background, this kind of role helped widen his image.
The Merciless 2017
The Merciless is one of the boldest films in Im Si-wan’s movie career. He played Jo Hyun-soo, and the movie gave him a darker, more intense role than many fans expected. Wikipedia notes that The Merciless brought Yim Si-wan to the Cannes Film Festival for the first time.
This film helped him gain international attention among Korean cinema fans. It also showed that he could stand beside strong veteran actors and still leave an impression. For searches like The Merciless Yim Si-wan, Jo Hyun-soo, Korean crime movie, and Im Si-wan films, this title is one of the most important in his career.
Emergency Declaration 2022
Emergency Declaration gave Yim Si-wan one of his most memorable darker roles. AsianWiki lists him as Jin-Seok in the disaster thriller, while Wikipedia notes that the film was released in South Korea in 2022 and that his performance received strong award attention.
The role was a major shift because it leaned into psychological tension and danger. Viewers who knew him from softer dramas saw a completely different side of him here. This is why Emergency Declaration Yim Si-wan, Jin-seok, Korean disaster movie, and Im Si-wan villain role are strong related search terms for this article.
Unlocked 2023
Unlocked introduced Yim Si-wan to many Netflix viewers. AsianWiki lists him as Oh Jun-Yeong in the 2023 film.
The movie is a modern thriller built around smartphone privacy, stalking, and fear in everyday life. His performance worked because he played the character with an unsettling calmness. He did not need to act loudly to make the role uncomfortable. For global fans searching Unlocked Yim Si-wan, Oh Jun-yeong, Netflix Korean movie, and Korean thriller actor, this film is one of his easiest entry points.
Road to Boston 2023
In Road to Boston, also known as 1947 Boston, Yim Si-wan played Suh Yun-Bok. AsianWiki lists the film among his 2023 movie credits.
This role added more variety to his career. After crime films, thrillers, and disaster stories, a period sports drama gave him another space to show discipline and emotional sincerity. It also proved that his film choices were not stuck in one lane. Road to Boston Yim Si-wan, 1947 Boston, and Suh Yun-bok are useful related phrases to include naturally when covering his movie career.
Mantis 2025
A newer title in Yim Si-wan movies is Mantis, listed by AsianWiki as a 2025 film where he plays Lee Han-Ul / Mantis.
This role matters because it shows that Yim Si-wan is still choosing projects that challenge his image. By 2025, he was no longer just a former idol proving himself. He had already built a wide acting identity across emotional drama, crime, thrillers, sports stories, and streaming releases.
Yim Si-wan Movies List
| Year | Movie | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | The Attorney | Park Jin-woo |
| 2016 | A Melody to Remember | Second Lieutenant Han Sang-Yeol |
| 2017 | One-Line | Min-Jae |
| 2017 | The Merciless | Jo Hyun-Soo |
| 2022 | Emergency Declaration | Jin-Seok |
| 2023 | Unlocked | Oh Jun-Yeong |
| 2023 | Road to Boston / 1947 Boston | Suh Yun-Bok |
| 2025 | Mantis | Lee Han-Ul / Mantis |
AsianWiki’s filmography also lists these major movie credits, including The Attorney, A Melody to Remember, One-Line, The Merciless, Emergency Declaration, Unlocked, Road to Boston, and Mantis.
Yim Si-wan’s Dramas Also Made His Movies More Popular
Even though this article focuses on Yim Si-wan age and movies, his dramas played a big role in building his fame. AsianWiki lists popular drama credits including Misaeng: Incomplete Life, Strangers from Hell, Run On, Tracer, Summer Strike, Boyhood, Squid Game 2, and Squid Game 3.
His drama work helped different audiences find him. Some fans discovered him through Misaeng, where he played Jang Geu-Rae. Others came through the romantic sports drama Run On. More recent global viewers found him through Squid Game, where he played Lee Myung-Gi / Player 333. This mix of television and film has kept searches for Im Si-wan age, Yim Si-wan dramas, Yim Si-wan movies and TV shows, and Squid Game Player 333 actor active.
Why Fans Search for Yim Si-wan Age So Often
People search Yim Si-wan age for a few reasons. First, he has been active since his ZE:A days, so longtime K-pop fans remember him from the early 2010s. Second, he still has a young-looking face, which makes many viewers curious about his real birthday. Third, his Squid Game role introduced him to a new international audience that may not know his earlier career.
That is why search interest often connects his age with other details, such as Yim Si-wan birthday, Im Si-wan real name, Yim Si-wan military service, Yim Si-wan height, Yim Si-wan girlfriend, Im Si-wan movies, and Yim Si-wan net worth.
Is Yim Si-Wan in the Military?
No, Yim Si-wan is not currently in the military. He began his mandatory military service on July 11, 2017, and was discharged on March 27, 2019. AsianWiki and Wikipedia both list the same enlistment and discharge dates.
This is an important detail because many Korean male celebrities pause their careers for mandatory service. In Yim Si-wan’s case, he returned to acting after discharge and continued building his career through projects like Strangers from Hell, Run On, Emergency Declaration, Unlocked, and Squid Game.
What Is the Age Gap Between Jo Yuri and Im Si-Wan?
Im Si-wan was born on December 1, 1988, while Jo Yuri was born on October 22, 2001. That makes the age gap between them around 12 years and 10 months, often rounded to a 13-year age gap by fans.
The question became popular because both appeared in Squid Game, where fans became curious about the real ages of the actors behind the characters. So when people search Jo Yuri Im Si-wan age gap, Squid Game cast age gap, Jo Yuri age, and Im Si-wan age, they are usually asking about the actors, not just their roles.
What Is the Real Name of Im Si-Wan?
Im Si-wan’s real birth name is Yim Woong-jae. He later legally changed his name to Im Si-Wan / Yim Si-wan, which became the name used throughout his entertainment career. AsianWiki lists both the birth name and the legal name change in its profile notes.
This is why some fans get confused when they see different spellings. Yim Si-wan, Im Si-wan, and Siwan are commonly used across entertainment sites, fan pages, and drama databases.
Can Yim Si-wan Speak English?
There is no strong official profile source confirming that Yim Si-wan is fluent in English. The major profile-style pages usually focus on his birthday, birthplace, real name, ZE:A career, military service, and acting credits, rather than listing English fluency.
