Koreans Bamboozled By Just How “Ugly” Im Si Wan Is

For Coupang‘s original K-Drama, Boyhood (or Once Upon A Boyhood), ZE:A’s idol-turned-actor Im Si Wan (also known as Yim Si Wan) has undergone an impressive transformation…

Actor Im Si Wan | @yim_siwang/Instagram

…making him so “ugly” that Korean viewers cannot wrap their heads around the look!

For his character, Jang Byung Tae—a “far-below-average” bullied high schooler with a quirky personality—Im Si Wan rocks a bowl cut paired with out-of-trend outfits.

“Boyhood” | @CoupangPlay/Twitter

But it’s not only the actor’s appearance that is convincing the viewers.

In some of the scenes that have gone viral online, Im’s portrayal of the most awkward Jang Byung Tae is so believable…

하 진짜 소년시대 임시완 ㅈㄴ 개 우낌
판의미로 괴물마냥 손펼치고
ㅈㄴ 아방하게 기회? 무슨기회 키스기회?
ㅇㅈㄹ하는데 존나 터짐 pic.twitter.com/qs4H0UuryX

— 노루 (@park_normal) December 10, 2023

Im Si Wan as Jang Byung Tae (Jang): No, no, no! I didn’t go for the kiss because I was scared I might get slapped.

Kang Hye Won as Kang Sun Hwa (Kang): Whatever. You’re so weird.

Jang: Fine, then let’s do it now. Let’s kiss!

Kang: No! I’m not in the mood now. You should leave now. I’m going in.

Kang: Let me think about it, though. I might give us another chance.

Jang: A chance? For a kiss?! I’ll get another chance for a kiss?

Jang: OK, then! Let’s kiss next time!

소년시대 – 장병태 눈물 콧물 오열

나쁜 년
나랑 사귀기로 했잖여~ 옵뵤뵤뵤~ 선화야 pic.twitter.com/XgCLul2FUR

— ଘコミニョン()ଓ (@ehayo1on9) December 10, 2023

How could she…! You were supposed to go out with me…! [Sobs] Oh, Sunhwa…!

— Jang Byung Tae

…that viewers are asking for an “exorcism” to drive the “ugly” out of Im!

| theqoo

• “Wow… I had no idea ‘ugliness’ is something one could act out. This is incredible.”
• “Yikes, hahaha! What a scene! LOL.”
• “Whoa, where’s the good-looking, doe-eyed Im Si Wan that I know?! The acting in these scenes are impeccable. So amazing. I haven’t started watching, because I wanted to binge it… But I might have to start now. Like, he’s so hideous. Im Si Wan has been consumed by this loser character. LOL.”
• “Uh… Who is this?!”
• “IDK, I think he’s cute. LMAO.”
• “What even is this role?!”
• “WTF… This is acting on another level. Haha.”
• “Cutie. Haha. He looks like such a loser. LOL.”
• “I can’t believe he can ‘act ugly.’ He basically made himself ugly with hair, makeup, and acting skills!”

| theqoo

• “I think we’re going to need an exorcist here… LOL. Please give us back our Im Si Wan.”
• “Oh, gosh… Haha. His good looks could not save him from this.”
• “But there’s a scene when Im Si Wan confesses his feelings for Lee Sun Bin. You can catch a glimpse of Im Si Wan as we know him. I was like, ‘Oh, good. So he’s still there.’ LOL.”
• “LMAO.”
• “Hahaha! WTF?! This goes to show, though, even if a man is good-looking… If he acts stupid, he cannot be helped. LOL. OMG, this character is such a loser.”
• “He… He’s such a… LOSER! (I mean this as a compliment.)”
• “He’s SOOO good at acting. LOL.”
• “Superb acting, TBH. He fits the role so well, too. It’s awe-inspiring how Im Si Wan, who’s such a good-looking actor, can turn into this big of a loser.”
• “Him talking about the kiss, OMFG. Hahaha.”
• “How is he this good?! LOL. This is hilarious.”
• “He’s so good, hahaha. I think, once he ages, he’s going to be like actor Lee Sang Min. Can’t wait to watch him grow.”
• “WTF is this?! LOL.”
• “He’s good-looking… but I’d never date that dude.”

Even Boyhood director Lee Myung Woo shared in an interview that he grew “worried” about how much Im “let himself go” for the role.

Im as Jang Byung Tae in “Boyhood.” | @CoupangPlay/Twitter

While casting for the role, I was looking for someone who would never ‘look good.’ Not even for a second. Someone who could let themselves go 100%. I thought, unless the actor can completely get lost in character, Byung Tae would not be believable…

…I knew Im Si Wan could pull it off, based on his previous works. Im really went out of his way to become one with Byung Tae… to the point I started worrying about how he’d land any other roles after this.

— Director Lee Myung Woo

This is not the first time Im Si Wan got praise for his dedication to his acting career. Read more about his previous transformations here:

Actor Im Si Wan Stuns With His Duality In Latest Acting Roles