Excerpts from Siwan's interview in the May 2023 issue of the Japanese magazine "韓流ぴあ" (Hanryu Pia)

Summer Strike - a healing drama starring Yim Siwan was recently released in Japan. He was interviewed about the drama by the Japanese magazine Hanryu Pia. Siwan has appeared often on the magazine over the years.

What did Yim Siwan, who played the main character Ahn Daebeom, look for in this work, and how did he face the character that maximizes his own charm?

'For me, it felt as if I was breathing, says Yim Siwan about his first impression of this work... I had high hopes for this drama, because even though I cherish the phrase ‘take a break from life’, I couldn’t easily put it into practice in my busy daily life. I decided to appear in this drama to satisfy that craving.'

'In relationships, people generally try to break the silence when they are with someone. For this reason, we talk about trivial matters and light topics. The atmosphere can be lightened indeed, but it can also be said that these are just meaningless talks.'

'Daebeom is not the type to try to break the silence. Actually, I want to be like that too. Daebeom and I are similar, so I wanted to understand him even more, and I wanted to use him as a role model.'

'I tried to express the mood of the original work as much as possible, so I wore clothes that were unadorned but not unfashionable. I had many discussions with the director. I chose after trying various things.'

‘What’s your favorite line?’ My favorite line is, “YeoReum is pretty.” She’s really pretty, so l didn’t have to practice saying it. (laughs) There are many overlaps between YeoReum and Seolhyun. It’s a good opportunity for both the actors and the viewers, and I think it’s also the highlight of this drama.

Here is my blog on Siwan's DaeBeom in #SummerStrike

I too love the same dialogue!

Siwan's rendition of single-line dialogues is impeccable. There's always a prequel and aftermath of that one line. Be it in Misaeng, Run On or Summer Strike. You can see him think up the line, deliver it in all honesty and then live with the feeling of having spoken that line.

Here, DaeBoem has never ever, ever, ever said this to anyone, let alone to a girl. In the previous scene, you can see that he's completely smitten by the way she's looking. So it's weighing on his mind. But he continues to have normal conversation about the movie. But it continues to weigh on his mind. So, finally as soon as there's some silence, he tells her softly, in most warm voice. And then he has this slightest of nod - almost telling himself, yes! I told her... I'm happy I told her.

'The director’s way of acting made me feel relieved. In fact, Daebeom and YeoReum hadn’t decided what to do in that scene. While going through trial and error during the rehearsal, I also exchanged ideas with Seolhyun before filming.'

'For everyone who watched Summer Strike, I hope it will be a little pause in your busy daily life.'

By the way, 'What do you do when you don’t want to do anything?' Siwan said, 'I just look at things that make me laugh and enjoy myself.'

Here is the link to buy the magazine. Here it is on Amazon. You can find them on Twitter here @hanryu_pia.

Siwan and his work have been covered many times in Hanryu Pia.

On the release of BluRay of Emergency Declaration

On Airing of Siwan's FanConcert whYIaM Siwan in Seoul Here is an excerpt, with the help of Google Translate.

On Siwan's Tracer's successful airing

Back in 2017, Siwan had featured on the cover of the same magazine!

Here is an article about the same. Below are the excerpts with the help of Google Translate.

Im Siwan, who is familiar with "Misen -Misaeng-", will be on the cover and interview of the magazine "Hanryu Pia August issue" released on July 22nd! Siwan, who has outstanding acting ability and presence among many "acting idols", will be thoroughly introduced over the first 13 pages!

The August 2017 issue will feature Im Siwan, who debuted as a member of the boy group ZE:A seven years ago and entered the world of acting as an actor five years ago.

So far, he has appeared in topical works such as "Misaeng", and was invited to the Cannes International Film Festival in May this year. A masterpiece that leaves a feeling, the latest drama "The King Loves" will be broadcast in Japan and South Korea. And Im Siwan, who is full of hot topics, will be thoroughly introduced over the first 13 pages, such as enlisting in the military on the 11th of this month.

In September 2020, he did another interview with Hanryu Pia for his series Strangers From Hell. Here is a short YT clip for the same.