An “Ugly” Actor Baffled Koreans By “Looking Like A Loser”

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) underwent an impressive transformation.

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

But it’s not only the actor’s appearance that convinced viewers. In some of the scenes that went viral online, Im’s portrayal of the most awkward Jang Byung Tae is so believable…

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 asked for an “exorcism” to drive the “ugly” out of Im!

• “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!”

• “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.

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 has gotten 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