Lim Ju-hwan (Korean임주환; born May 18, 1982) is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his leading roles in the television dramas Tamra, the Island (2009), Ugly Alert (2013), Uncontrollably Fond (2016) and The Bride of Habaek (2017).

Lim Ju-hwan
Lim Ju-hwan in May 2019
Born (1982-05-18) May 18, 1982 (age 42)
Seoul, South Korea[1]
Other namesIm Joo-hwan
EducationDaejin University
(Theatre and Film)
OccupationActor
Years active2003 – present
AgentFL Ent
Korean name
Hangul
임주환
Hanja
林周煥
Revised RomanizationIm Juhwan
McCune–ReischauerIm Chuhwan

Early life and education

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When he was a senior in high school, Lim joined the theater group called Kwangto, an acronym of Kwangdae Tokkaebi referring to traditional performers and hobgoblins in Korean, where he was first introduced to theatrical performance. Lim then played the role of the pastor in The Good Doctor by Neil Simon and won the prize of best performance in the Fourth Youth Theater Festival in 2000. He also directed the play, Pay Tuition Back, at the school festival. He continues to maintain a good friendship with fellow actor Shin Dong-wook, whom he met at the time.[2]

After graduating from high school, Lim began his professional career in modeling at The Men, a modeling and acting agency.[3]

He also enrolled at Daejin University for his undergraduate and graduate studies in theatre and film.[2][4]

Career

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2004–2008: Beginnings

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Lim made his first professional television debut on Magic, aired on SBS in 2004, and made his film debut in A Millionaire's First Love in 2006, followed by a series of supporting roles, notably in The Snow Queen (2006) and Boys Over Flowers (2009). He received favorable reviews for his performance as a blind painter in episode 10 of Auction House, a 2007 TV series revolving around the art world which aired on MBC.

2009–2010: Rising popularity and breakthrough

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Lim's breakthrough came in his first leading role in the 2009 MBC series Tamra, the Island. Set in Jeju Island, Haenam in South Jeolla Province, it was a hybrid form of TV drama that combined romantic comedy and historical fiction. It portrayed the relationship between Koreans and foreigners in 17th century Joseon.[5] Though it received low ratings, Tamra, the Island gained a cult following. Lim later won New Actor of the Year at the 2009 Korean Culture and Entertainment Awards for his performance.

To capitalize on his growing fan base in Japan due to Tamra, the Island,[6][7] Lim starred in the 2-episode special drama Marriage War of Doenjang-kun and Natto-chan, about a Korean man and a Japanese woman who fall in love while working together on a Korea-Japan joint project.[8]

2011–2012: Military enlistment

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What's Up, the long-delayed musical campus drama that Lim filmed in 2010, finally aired on cable channel MBN in 2011. It was written by renowned drama scribe Song Ji-na (Sandglass) and is the story of college students learning acting and performance arts in the university's musical theatre department. Lim played the leading role of Jang Je-hun, a cynical outsider who becomes completely immersed in the world of musicals.[9] He followed that with a supporting role as a warm-hearted homeless man with Tourette's syndrome in the film The Suicide Forecast in 2011.

In 2011, Lim enlisted for his mandatory military service.[10][11] During basic training, he fainted due to heart problems and was hospitalized for 3 months. He then completed his service despite being given the option for an early discharge.[12] Prior to entering military service Lim left his agency Yedang Entertainment.[13]

2013–present: New agency and comeback

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After his military discharge he moved to Blossom Entertainment. In 2013, he made his acting comeback in the lead role as a devoted brother in 2013 SBS daily drama Ugly Alert,[14] followed by a villain role in the 2014 film The Con Artists[15] as well as supporting roles in historical drama Shine or Go Crazy and romantic comedy series Oh My Ghost in 2015,[16][17] romance melodrama Uncontrollably Fond in 2016,[18] and fantasy romance series The Bride of Habaek in 2017.[19] He acted as a Japanese prosecutor Fukuda in 2019 MBC's period spy drama, Different Dreams.[20]

In June 2024, Lim signed with new agency FL Ent.[21]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Ref.
2006 A Millionaire's First Love Seung-joon
Arang young Hyun-ki
2007 M Umbrella man [22]
2008 A Frozen Flower Han-baek
Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do Yoon Jae-kwang
2011 The Suicide Forecast Kim Young-tak
2014 The Con Artists Lee Jo-hwon
2017 Because I Love You Chan-young
2021 Waiting for Rain Park Young-hwan
2022 Project Wolf Hunting CEO

Television series

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2003 Nonstop 3 Blind date
2004 Magic Kang-jae's acquaintance brother
2005 A Love to Kill Actor role with Eun-suk
2006 Don't Worry Lee Hyun-jun
The Snow Queen Seo Geon-ho
Urban Legend, Not Scary Yoon Hyun-soo
2007 The Return of Shim Chung Prince Lee Hong
Drama City: Pure Soon-yi Park Joon-su
Auction House Lee Ji-woon Guest (Ep. 10)
2008 Single Dad in Love Min Hyun-ki
General Hospital 2 Lee Min-soo Guest (Ep, 6-7)
2009 Boys Over Flowers So Il-hyun
Tamra, the Island Park Gyu [2]
2010 Marriage War of Doenjang-kun and Natto-chan Kim Dae-chun
2011 What's Up Jang Jae-hun
2012 March 2 Air chan
2013 Ugly Alert Gong Joon-soo
2014 Drama Festival: The Diary of Heong Yeong-dang Kim Sang-yun
2015 Shine or Go Crazy Wang Uk [23]
Oh My Ghost Choi Sung-jae
2016 Uncontrollably Fond Choi Ji-tae
2017 The Bride of Habaek Hoo-ye
2018 Drama Special: Such a Long Farewell Bae Sang-hee [24]
2019 Different Dreams Fukuda [25]
The Great Show Kang Joon-ho
2020 The Game: Towards Zero Gu Do-kyung [26]
The Spies Who Loved Me Derek Hyun [27]
2022 Three Bold Siblings Lee Sang-joon [28]

Television shows

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2021–2023 Unexpected Business Cast member with Cha Tae-hyun and Zo In-sung — Season 3 (Season 2 as Guest) [29][30][31]

Music video

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Year Song Artist Ref.
2006 "Key of Heart" BoA
2017 "Miss You" Huh Gak

Theater

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Year Title Role Theater Date Ref.
English Korean
2000 The Good Doctor 굿 닥터 Pastor Theater Group Kwangto NA [2]
2002 Our Town 우리 읍내
2021 A Streetcar Named Desire 욕망이라는 이름의 전차 Stanley Kowalski Hongdae Arts Center Grand Theater October 8 to November 21 [32]
2024 The Best Play Festival 10: Kilology 연극열전10: 킬롤로지 Paul Daehak-ro TOM 2 September 27 to Desember 1 [33]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2009 17th Korean Culture and Entertainment Awards Best New Actor Tamra, the Island Won [34]
MBC Drama Awards Nominated
2013 SBS Drama Awards New Star Award Ugly Alert Won [35]
Best Couple Award with Kang So-ra Nominated
2019 14th Asia Model Awards Korean Model Star Won
MBC Drama Awards Excellence Award, Actor in a Monday-Tuesday Miniseries Different Dreams Nominated
2020 39th MBC Drama Awards Excellence Award, Actor in a Wednesday-Thursday Miniseries The Game: Towards Zero Won [36]
The Spies Who Loved Me Won
2022 KBS Drama Awards Excellence Award, Actor in a Serial Drama Three Bold Siblings Won [37]
Popularity Award, Actor Nominated

References

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  1. ^ 임주환. Cinefox (씨네폭스) (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 19, 2024. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d 임주환 "'예쁘다'는 말, 득 될 것 없다"인터뷰). 스타뉴스 (in Korean). September 16, 2009. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  3. ^ 임주환│My name is…. m.entertain.naver.com. August 25, 2009. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  4. ^ [대진대학교] 변화하는 현장에 발맞춰 교육환경의 최적화. Naver News (in Korean). December 12, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  5. ^ "Tamra the Island - Concept" Archived April 6, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. iMBC.com (in Korean). Retrieved March 16, 2011.
  6. ^ Hong, Lucia (February 26, 2010). "Actor Lim Ju-hwan to open official Japanese website". 10Asia. Archived from the original on October 14, 2014. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
  7. ^ Hong, Lucia (October 25, 2010). "Lim Ju-hwan holds first ever meet-and-greet in Japan". 10Asia. Archived from the original on October 14, 2014. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
  8. ^ "Mister Kimchi and Miss Teriyaki's Wedding War". MBC Global Media. Archived from the original on August 20, 2014. Retrieved June 17, 2013.
  9. ^ Kim, Jessica (December 5, 2011). "REVIEW: MBN TV series What's Up - 1st episode". 10Asia. Archived from the original on May 29, 2014. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
  10. ^ Hong, Lucia (May 12, 2011). "Actor Lim Ju-hwan to enter military this month". 10Asia. Archived from the original on December 30, 2013. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
  11. ^ Ko, Kyoung-seok (June 27, 2011). "Lim Ju-hwan admitted to hospital during military training". 10Asia. Archived from the original on December 30, 2013. Retrieved November 3, 2012.
  12. ^ "Im Joo-hwan in the military hospital for 'heart problems'". HanCinema. August 31, 2011. Archived from the original on December 30, 2013. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
  13. ^ "Lim Ju-hwan profile" Archived February 10, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Yedang Entertainment. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  14. ^ "Production press conference of new daily series with young stars". BNT News. May 15, 2013. Archived from the original on October 17, 2013. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  15. ^ Park, Sunghee (January 28, 2014). "Im Joo Hwan, Comes Back To Screen With New Movie The Technician". BNTNews. Archived from the original on February 28, 2014. Retrieved February 23, 2014.
  16. ^ "Lim Ju-hwan to star in "Shine or Go Crazy"". HanCinema. Nate. November 20, 2014. Archived from the original on January 27, 2018. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  17. ^ "Park Bo Young, Jo Jeong Seok, Im Joo Hwan, Kim Seul Gi, and Park Jung Ah Confirm for 'Oh My Ghostess'". enewsWorld. May 14, 2015.
  18. ^ "Stars confirmed for Kim Woo-bin and Suzy's new rom-com". Kpop Herald. November 11, 2015. Archived from the original on January 27, 2018. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  19. ^ "Lim Ju-hwan to star in 'Bride of the Water God'". Kpop Herald. March 16, 2017. Archived from the original on January 27, 2018. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  20. ^ [공식] 임주환, '이몽' 캐스팅 확정...유지태X이요원과 호흡. The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). September 28, 2018. Archived from the original on September 28, 2018. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
  21. ^ Park, So-young (June 18, 2024). 임주환, 차태현 곁 떠나 진기주 식구로..에프엘이엔티 전속계약 [공식] [Lim Joo-hwan leaves Cha Tae-hyun and joins Jin Ki-joo's family.. Exclusive contract with FLENT [Official]] (in Korean). OSEN [ko]. Retrieved June 18, 2024 – via Naver.
  22. ^ '쌍화점' 임주환, "영화 'M'의 엄브렐라맨이 바로 접니다". m.entertain.naver.com. January 9, 2009. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  23. ^ 임주환 "미래의 아들 사관학교 보내고파" (인터뷰)[스포츠투데이]. stoo (in Korean). Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  24. ^ "Lim Ju-hwan Confirms Novelist Role in "Drama Special - The Long Goodbye"". HanCinema. August 30, 2018. Archived from the original on September 1, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  25. ^ 임주환, MBC '이몽' 출연확정...유지태X이요원과 호흡[공식]. JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). September 28, 2018. Archived from the original on September 28, 2018. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
  26. ^ Jo, Yoon-sun (September 19, 2019). [공식] 임주환, MBC '더 게임:0시를 향하여' 캐스팅 확정...옥택연X이연희와 호흡. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on December 14, 2021. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
  27. ^ Park, A-reum (June 22, 2020). '나를 사랑한 스파이' 문정혁X유인나X임주환 호흡 확정 "10월 첫 방송"(공식). Newsen (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
  28. ^ Jeong Bit (June 22, 2022). [공식]이하나x임주환, '삼남매가 용감하게' 출연...주말 안방 찾는다 [[Official] Hana Lee x Joo-Hwan Lim to appear in 'Three Siblings Bravely'... looking for a weekend home] (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Archived from the original on June 22, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2022 – via Naver.
  29. ^ Sun Jin-ah (February 1, 2021). '어쩌다 사장' 차태현·조인성의 시골슈퍼 영업일지…상반기 첫 공개(공식). mksports (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 5, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  30. ^ Kim Na-young (December 6, 2021). 차태현X조인성 다시 한 번 '어쩌다 사장' 된다…"시즌2 내년 상반기 방송" [Cha Tae-Hyun X Jo In-Sung Becomes the 'Chief' Once Again... "Season 2 broadcast in the first half of next year"]. mksports (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved December 6, 2021 – via Naver.
  31. ^ Kang, Min-kyung (September 27, 2023). [공식] 美 한인마트서 영업하는 차태현·조인성…'어쩌다 사장3' 10월 26일 첫 방송 [[Official] Cha Tae-hyun and Jo In-seong operate at a Korean supermarket in the U.S.… 'Somehow I'm the President 3' first airs on October 26th] (in Korean). Ten Asia. Archived from the original on September 27, 2023. Retrieved September 27, 2023 – via Naver.
  32. ^ Lee Min-ji (September 3, 2021). 임주환, 연극 무대 오른다...'욕망이라는 이름의 전차' 출연(공식) [Im Joo-hwan, going on stage in a play... Appeared in 'A Streetcar Named Desire' (official)]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 3, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2021 – via Naver.
  33. ^ 연극 9월 개막…김수현·임주환·최석진 등 캐스팅. www.themusical.co.kr (in Korean). Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  34. ^ 소녀시대·송승헌·설경구 문화연예대상 대상. Star News (in Korean). November 30, 2009. Archived from the original on January 28, 2019. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  35. ^ Cory Lee (January 2, 2014). "Lee Bo-young Grabs 1st Top Prize at the 2013 SBS Drama Awards". TenAsia. Archived from the original on March 28, 2014. Retrieved June 20, 2014.
  36. ^ Lee Ji-hyun (December 30, 2020). "[MBC 연기대상] 임주환, 男 우수 연기상 수상..."18년 만에 처음 받는 상". news1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 20, 2022. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  37. ^ Ahn Tae-hyun (January 1, 2023). 윤시윤·임주환·박지영·이하나, 장편드라마 우수상 [KBS연기대상] [Yoon Si-yoon, Lim Ju-hwan, Park Ji-young, and Lee Ha-na, Feature Award for Excellence in Drama [KBS Drama Awards]] (in Korean). News1. Archived from the original on January 1, 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2023 – via Naver.
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