“Unlocked” Im Si Wan talks about his attachment to being an idol and plans to release a solo album this year
Im Si Wan heralds a transformation as a singer rather than an actor this year.
In a recent interview with OSEN, idol-turned-actor Im Si Wan revealed the casting process and behind-the-scenes of the Netflix original movie “Unlocked”.
“Unlocked” is a realistic thriller about an ordinary office worker who loses her smartphone containing all her personal information and begins to face threats to her entire daily life. It depicts the worst situations that can happen after losing a smartphone.
In “Unlocked”, the horror in everyday life called “smartphone hacking” is portrayed through sophisticated directing, tension-filled development, and a well-organized story.
In the film, Im Si Wan plays Jun Yeong, who commits a gruesome crime after getting a hold of the smartphone of Nami (Chun Woo Hee), an office worker. Following the movie “Emergency Declaration” released last summer, Im Si Wan once again showed off his impressive acting in a villain role.
Im Si Wan is known as one of the most successful acting idols. However, he said that looking back on his idol days, he finds it regrettable.
Im Si Wan said, “Now people would look at me and think, ‘Is he only going to act?’ I started acting when I was an idol. Now, people think I definitely don’t sing. I feel repulsed when I hear, ‘He’s following the acting path.'”
Im Si Wan debuted in 2010 in the idol group ZE:A with members such as Kwang Hee, Park Hyung Sik, and Kim Dong Jun. From his trainee days to his debut and activities, he devoted himself fully to ZE:A. He worked harder than anyone else, but the results of his idol promotions were not satisfactory.
In response to the question, “Is it true that you still feel the attachment to being an idol?” Im Si Wan replied, “Yes. In the past, I thought, ‘I’m not someone who deserves to be an idol.’ At the moment of having thoughts like that, luckily, I was cast in ‘The Moon Embracing the Sun’, and I’m where I am now, maintaining my career (as an actor). Anyway, I was in my 20s, so it was regrettable to end my career as a singer like that. I spent 2 years as a trainee, 7 years of contract, and 9 years as an idol, so I don’t want to deny it. I felt that I had to take my career as a singer to make it meaningful.”
Im Si Wan continued, “I have an album coming out this year. It’s a solo album.” He added, “At a recent concert, I presented the music I pursue. I showed my fans the type of music I like. I sang and let the fans listen to it. I can release 1 or 2 albums, but there are no plans for going on music shows. If I appear on music shows, I will definitely prepare. If I do it, I’m going to do it properly.”
Meanwhile, “Unlocked”, starring Im Si Wan, was released worldwide through Netflix on February 17th.
Source: Naver.
