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In South Korea, the Coupang Play original drama 'Boyhood,' starring actor Im Siwan, is currently generating significant buzz. Im Siwan, known for his upright image, has transformed into Jang Byeong-tae, a character who uses various tricks to avoid fights, showcasing his comedic acting and Chungcheong dialect, earning him renewed recognition for his acting prowess. The drama is set in 1989 in Buyeo, South Chungcheong Province, and tells the story of a protagonist whose goal is to live without getting into fights, but is mistakenly identified as the school's top fighter on his first day of transfer.
'Boyhood' Season 1 consists of 10 episodes and is exclusively available for streaming in Korea via Coupang Play. It is not a Netflix original and therefore cannot be found on Netflix. Im Siwan starred alongside Lee Sun-bin, Lee Si-woo, and Kang Hye-won, meticulously adjusting his speech and gait to embody the Jang Byeong-tae character. While news of a Season 2 production has been announced, Im Siwan's participation and the exact release date have not yet been officially confirmed.
Bloggers highlight Im Siwan's successful portrayal of Jang Byeong-tae, a comedic character vastly different from his role as Jang Geu-rae in 'Misaeng.' They praise his wide acting spectrum, noting his ability to present different facets of himself across various genres, from comedy to thriller and action, as his greatest appeal. Many commenters suggest that through 'Boyhood,' Im Siwan has solidified his reputation as a 'trustworthy actor' rather than merely a former singer.
