Im Joo-hwan is back! Granted he’s not in a new project just yet, but he has just completed his two-year service in the military. He was discharged on February 16, after having enlisted in May 2011, and is now back among our civilian ranks.
If you don’t remember much about Im Joo-hwan, it’s probably because he had a bit of a late start in his career and was just hitting his stride when army duty called. He had some minor roles in earlier dramas (A Love to Kill in 2005, Snow Queen in 2006), then acted in the 2008 ero-sageuk Frozen Flower. He played Kim Bum’s hyung in Boys Before Flowers the next year, and then really made his presence known (sorta) with 2009′s quirky comedic sageuk Tamra the Island.
The only reason I say “sorta” is because that drama had its share of misfortunes, which included getting cut by the broadcaster (MBC, of course) when its ratings didn’t perform. (At least it got a director’s cut release.) But despite that, the drama accumulated a rabid fanbase and turned him into a leading man to watch. Sadly, his next drama was What’s Up, which got shuffled around before landing on cable for a quiet run.
He’s a promising talent with a compelling screen presence; I do think you sorta have to see him in action, but he has range and vulnerability that draw you in. He reminds me a bit of an older and more quiet Kim Soo-hyun that way. Let’s hope he’s back in the news soon with comeback plans in the works.
Via My Daily
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- Im Joo-hwan’s Marriage War
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RECENTLY COMPLETED
Yay! I just finished What’s Up recently so the timing is perfect! It’s weird because the only thing I remember from Snow Queen was him (and Hyun Bin was there LOL). Will definitely keep an eye out for his future projects <3
Yay!!!! He’s back!!!! I just love him!
I love him. Can’t believe it’s been two years already. I was so surprised when I found out he got realeased, lol. Time really does fly. So this must mean Kim Jae Wook is out??? Or should be soon. Can’t wait to see what he does as well.
No Kim Jae-wook yet, but there’s less than two months to go. If I knew the exact number of days, I would be counting them down.
TEAM PARK KYU! ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤
I’m pretty sure I already screamed below a comment of yours, but once a TPK member, always a TPK member.
TEAM PARK KYU, UNITE!!!
ha! I love this! Definitely, always. TPK <3
Himono! You keep vanishing.
keh, I know…well, what did you expect from a himono-onna?
(sorry to reply late, it’s only now that I’m seeing your comment)
Oh, I forgot to add: has it already been 2 years? Seriously? SERIOUSLY? God, time sure goes so fast, I feel like I used a time machine without me knowing it. Wait, that would make a (bad) drama premise, wouldn’t it?
Yay, Team Park Kyu!!!
Now get yourself in a drama, stat!
Parkyu Love of my Life, you are back!!!!
Oh Yessss, TEAM PARK KYU!!! <3 <3
yeah, Team Park Kyu forever!
A VERY good actor. I want him to have good parts in challenging successful projects, for a change. I’m rewatching Tamra long version now and I’m still amazed by his screen presence (drama has flaws but HE is perfect). Team Park Kyu forever!
That face… how can he be almost 10 years older than me?!
He never seems to age!
awesome!! i fell for him in tamra!!
Made My Day!
Time Flies! Glad he’s back!
Really enjoyed him in What’s Up and Tamra!
Hope he gets cast soon! Can’t wait to see him in a new project…
I’m such a fan of Lim Ju Hwan. I am excited that he has returned to civilian life and can’t wait to see what his next project will be. He may not be that famous, but his fans know and appreciate his talent. He is a truly expressive actor and I hope that he will take on more challenging roles. Whether or not he becomes popular should not be important. I just hope that he continues to do what he loves and picks roles because they are interesting, not because they may garner him fame and recognition. I think that he really stole the show in What’s Up, and I’ll never forget his performance in Tamna. I would recommend checking out one of his smaller roles in the film Suicide Forecast/Suspicious Customers.
I like your words. Always love this actor!
Im Ju Hwan is one actor who looks really good in hanbok or in a leather jacket. He is an actor who “fits” his roles well. Can’t wait for his next project.
I thought that he was really lovely in Snow Queen even though he looked a bit young for the role.
Gaaahhhhh so excited!! I LOVED him in Tamra Island and What’s Up! And you’re right- he is one of those people that you have to see in action
I loved him in What’s Up
He’s back!
Don’t mind another sageuk yangban role from him. Hope to see him soon!
He looked familiar to me in that 1st pic but couldn’t place him in anything I could remember until the 2nd pic popped up with him showing that 100 watt killer smile of his – and immediately flashed back to ‘What’s Up’ and the great job he did there!
Will look forward to his upcoming project(s) and just hope he chooses wisely.
Love him!
Yayayayayayayayayay!
its so odd, some people its like you blink and their MS is done and others feel like they’re never going to comeback…(his went by quickly for me)
but more importantly, pick a project and showcase those ARMY ABS!!!!!!!!!!
Ahhh! I only just finished marathoning Whats up? this month, shame it didn’t get more exposure considering i think it was a good drama and he was awesome in it!
I need to go watch Snow queen & Tamra island.. I only seen him in “What’s Up” and loved his character…
loved him in tamra:)
currently watching what’s up and all i could say he’s a good actor, inhabits his role quite well…
can’t wait for his next project:)
The Exiled One! I need to see him in another fusion sageuk ASAP. He looks best in chilvary and a gat.
that means I’ve seen him in boys before flowers…..
It saddens me how under-appreciated he is. I hope he will be in another sageuk soon.
thanks jb,
Oh he is back ! but the TAMRA female lead cast already
has a boyfriend, no sequel !.
Well, hope to see him in action again.
He is quite the dynamic actor. The intensity he has is rare. Yay for civilian IJH!
He is such a good actor. Love him in Tamra, the island…Team Park Kyu all the way!
Welcome back, IJH~!
So happy to know he competed MS.
WELCOME BACK! NOW ITS TIME FOR WHATS UP VOL 2! FOR REASONS!
Parkyu!!!! That tall imposing figure in tall hat and flowing white robes….my Korean Gandalf!!!! Symbol of unbending justice and unwavering love, with that lovely, lovely smile….ah, Parkyu, sorely have I missed thee….
OMG can’t wait for him in future drama projects! i like his acting in Tamna and What’s Up..
I think one of the reasons it seemed time flew by so fast for his release is because of What’s Up too..it aired while he’s currently in military service..though it’s a shame it didn’t get recognition..
i wish him the best in his career!
Wow~ feels like just last month I was watching what’s up.. I like him though, all the best with your new projects and don’t be shy to …* ahem show us ya abs ;p
Yay!!!! I’m happy im joo hawns back..please be ina new drama or movie..cant wait to see you acting again..loved him in what’s up..what’s up deserves more love..huuu
Ohhh. I did rather like him in What’s Up.
Hope he finds a solid drama project soon and gets to shine!
I really liked him in What’s Up and apparently I’m going to have to watch Tamra at some point because wow, there’s a lot of love here in the comments. Glad to see him back.
Make sure you watch the Director’s Cut for Tamra, aka Tempted Again.
That means 21 episodes vs 16.
The 16 episode editing makes the story feel rushed and confusing. The 21 ep version feeeeeels so much better.
Dfever has the WRONG version up, FYI, imo because they chose the 16.
Viki has the 21 DC.
Thanks for the advice. I’ve only noticed it on dramafever, so I didn’t even know there *was* a 21-ep version. I’ll definitely aim for that one when I get around to watching it. I prefer viki anyway, so it works out well for me.
Yeah, he was great in What’s Up! I liked a lot of the cast in that show, and the storyline was nice, but I hated the ending so much that it spoiled the show for me…too bad, I had bought Tamra, but I don’t think I’ll buy What’s up.
Do watch Tamra, it’s so great! And Jomo’s right, do watch the 21 episodes! Be aware though that the beginning of the show is…a bit bizarre, even a bit bad, but after it’s really great!
“An older and more quiet Kim Soo-hyun” – I like that description!
Can’t wait to catch more projects of his!
I’ve just started to watch Tamra the Island before landing to this news. Welcome back home.
I enjoyed Tamra. Welcome back Im Joo-hwan.
He reminds me of w-inds Keita .. LOL
but glad he’s back
More sageuks, please! I’m so glad he’s back! I loved Park Kyu in Tamra!
YAY IM JOO HWAN! I love him. Hopefully he gets a good comeback project. He is so pretty and talented
Team Park Kyu all the way! Because i fell for him in What’s Up, i watched Tamara and i cnt wait to fall for him some more!!!
WELCOME BACK PARK KYU! <3
AHHH! I teared up a little when he had to go to army duty, but he’s out now!!! can’t wait for his next project! I hope it’s good!
Oooh, Ohhh, Ohhh! Another flower-boy, we were running short.
Thank you sooooo much for the news!!!
I love that actor, he’s one of my favs! I first saw him in Tamra where he brought me to tears many times (Team Park Kyu forever! <3)! I hope we'll hear from him soon!
These news made my day!!! Thank you!!!
Oh-ho! Hrmph! He’s back!
Apart from What’s Up and BOF I haven’t watched his other projects, but I liked what I saw. Or I guess I can take BOF from that list because I can barely remember a scene or two from that drama, I think I watched it about 5 years ago…
This makes me seriously giddy. Now I’m so happy I could cry tears….aaaahhhhh
Omg, he’s finally back! I was so sad that I had only discovered this amazing actor while he was completing his military service and was so disappointed that he didn’t leave with a bang. I hope he picks up a new project soon.