In the currently airing tvN Monday-Tuesday drama *My Guilty Man*, Im Si-wan plays Yoon Yi-joon, the third-generation heir to a chaebol family. Suspected of murder, his character is prickly and sensitive, rarely revealing his true feelings. Im Si-wan is driving the drama forward by bringing out Yoon Yi-joon’s unique personality through a performance style that differs from the typical chaebol male lead.
The show’s ratings are also impressive. As of the 12th, “My Guilty Man” ranked second globally on the Amazon Prime Video TV Show Overall Chart compiled by FlixPatrol, a website that tracks online video service (OTT) rankings. It entered the top 10 in 47 countries and regions worldwide and reached the top spot in 10 countries, including Singapore and Thailand. It also ranked second in the non-English Prime Original Series rankings for November 2–8, as announced by Amazon Prime Video.
The series continues to perform well domestically as well. Starting with a premiere viewership rating of 5.6%, the show has maintained the No. 1 spot in its time slot on cable and general programming channels for eight consecutive episodes. Just three weeks after its premiere, cumulative views of related videos surpassed 850 million. By achieving consistent success across domestic viewership ratings, international rankings, and online buzz, the series has demonstrated its commercial appeal.
This drama holds particular significance as a significant acting challenge for Im Si-wan. At the time of the premiere, opinions among some viewers were divided regarding Yoon Yi-jun’s high-pitched and unique speaking style. However, as the episodes progressed, the character’s sensitivity and eccentricity—along with the loneliness and warmth hidden beneath the surface—began to emerge. This lent credence to the interpretation that the acting style, which initially felt unfamiliar, was a deliberate choice to express the character’s individuality. The initial doubts about his acting took on new meaning as the story unfolded.
Im Si-wan’s depth as an actor did not develop overnight. He earned early recognition for his acting skills in *The Attorney* and *Misaeng*, and in shows like *Stranger Is Hell* and *Boyhood*, he convincingly portrayed completely different characters, demonstrating his broad acting range. His kind face, cool demeanor, and versatile expressiveness—which effortlessly shifts between seriousness and comedy—are the strengths that make Lim Si-wan an irreplaceable actor.
In Netflix’s “Squid Game,” he also made his mark on global audiences by helping to create a suspense-filled narrative alongside a large cast. This time, however, his success in a drama where he takes center stage holds special significance. He has gone beyond merely participating in a global hit to lead a production as the lead actor, thereby proving his competitiveness in overseas markets.
Above all, what stands out is his attitude of never resting on his laurels despite his already proven acting skills. Jang Geu-rae from *Misaeng*, Jang Byeong-tae from *Boys Over Flowers*, and Yoon Yi-jun from *My Guilty Man* are characters that are not easily linked to one another. Nevertheless, Im Si-wan has demonstrated that he is an actor who cannot be defined by a single image by creating a new persona in every project. His career path—choosing change over repeating familiar roles—is what underpins his current competitiveness.
Lim Si-wan has built trust through his acting and enhanced his presence with box-office success. These achievements prove that his prime is still very much ongoing.
