2014 was Im Si Wan's breakout year. First he played Jang Dong Woo, the youngest of three brothers separated during childhood in the drama "Triangle." Although veteran actor Lee Bum Soo and JYJ member Kim Jaejoong played his older brothers, Im Si Wan was memorable in the role of the wealthiest and yet most vulnerable sibling.
But the ZE:A member did not stop at playing one successful drama role this year. Nor did he balk at taking a difficult role in a cable drama that was considered unlikely to be a hit. His role in the cable drama "Misaeng" was one that several leading actors turned down. It was a subtle role in a drama that touched on an anxiety-provoking topic, the way workers are treated and sometimes mistreated in the Korean workplace. His agency turned down the role of Jang Geu Rae before he heard about it. Yet Im Si Wan wanted very much to play the former baduk player, the young man who takes an office job but lacks the educational qualifications to get ahead. It was Im Si Wan's portrayal of the determined character that greatly contributed to the drama's unexpected success.
Im Si Wan also starred in a film this year. He played student activist Park Jin Woo in the acclaimed film "The Attorney." The film sold more than 10 million tickets. The Korean Association of Film Critics, Grand Bell and Blue Dragon Awards and the Korea Film Actor's Association honored the film with awards. Im Si Wan's role in that film also earned him a few awards and nominations. Im Si Wan won a Popular Star award from both the Korea Film Actor's Association and the Blue Dragon Awards and was nominated for New Actor at the latter. He won a Popular Star and was nominated for a New Actor awards at the Grand Bell Awards. He was also nominated for Best New Actor at the Baeksang Arts Awards. And he received a nomination for a Best Newcomer Award at the Asian Film Festival.
Altogether the singer-turned-actor can consider 2014 to be a very good year and the year he may no longer be called an idol actor.
On Dec. 30 he will round out his exceptional year by serving as a presenter at the MBC Drama Awards. He will present the Writer of the Year award alongside actress Jang Nara.
