Im Won-hee

Im Won-hee is a South Korean actor who can make viewers laugh with a single serious look. Born on 11 October 1970 in Seoul, he has worked on stage, in films and on television for three decades. Many fans first met him as the hero of the cult comedy Dachimawa Lee, and a new generation knows him as hospital administrator Jang Gi-tae in Dr. Romantic (2016) and from the variety show My Little Old Boy.

He stands about 5 feet 8 inches (172 cm) tall and weighs about 70 kg.

Early life

He was born in Suyu-dong in northern Seoul as the youngest of three sons. He studied theatre at the Seoul Institute of the Arts, in the famous class of 1990 alongside Hwang Jung-min and Ryu Seung-ryong, and trained with the Daehak-ro theatre troupe Mokhwa. He made his stage debut in Romeo and Juliet in 1995.

Career and breakthrough

His film debut came in the black comedy The Happenings (1998). Director Ryoo Seung-wan cast him as Dachimawa Lee, a deadpan secret agent in a 2000 short film made as a tribute to old Korean action movies. It became an internet cult hit, and a feature film followed in 2008. Roles in Three... Extremes (2004) and Le Grand Chef (2007) proved he could be frightening as well as funny.

Popular roles

In Dr. Romantic (2016) he plays Jang Gi-tae, the loyal administrator of Doldam Hospital, returning in later seasons. In Strong Girl Bong-soon (2017) he is Baek Tak, a clumsy gang leader whose tough talk hides a soft heart. In Crazy Love (2022) he plays Park Yang-tae, adding his comic timing to the office romance.

Recent work

His honest, gentle daily life on My Little Old Boy has won him several SBS Entertainment Awards. After thirty years, Im Won-hee remains the actor directors call when a scene needs heart, humour and perfect timing.