21 October,2026 12:46 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Yim Siwan. Pic via Instagram
South Korean actor Yim Siwan, who rose to fame as a member of K-pop group ZE:A before he established himself as an actor, has opened up about his latest drama, Love in Disguise. Known for acclaimed projects such as Misaeng: Incomplete Life, Emergency Declaration, and Squid Game, Siwan has also earned praise for his romance-drama performances, including Run On and Summer Strike.
In Love in Disguise, the actor plays Yoon Yi Jun, a third-generation conglomerate heir who becomes the prime suspect in a murder case. His life takes an unexpected turn when Kang Jae Hee, played by Seorina, goes undercover as a man to work as his personal bodyguard. A former special forces officer turned police detective, Jae Hee navigates a case where conspiracy and romance intersect.
Siwan spoke to Variety India about what drew him to the project and the kind of character he hopes to explore next. Explaining his decision to take on the drama, Siwan said his priority was not necessarily the romantic comedy genre but the personality of the character he would be playing.
"I think what I focused on the most in choosing this project was that I just wanted to play a character that had a kind and good heart. It didn't really have to be a rom-com. I just wanted a character who, at the end of the day, is a good person. And I think this series turned out to fit that description perfectly," he said.
The actor's comments underline how the character's emotional qualities influenced his choice, even as the series combines romance with a murder mystery. The role also sees him portray a wealthy heir, a departure from some of the characters audiences have seen him play previously.
Asked whether the experience would encourage him to explore more romantic comedies, Siwan said he was pleased with how his character turned out and remained open to returning to the genre. "I'm very happy with how this character turned out, and I hope, maybe, this will lead me to my next rom-com one day," he said.
However, the actor has another kind of character in mind for his next project. Reflecting on playing a rich conglomerate heir, he said he would like to move towards a more grounded role. "For my next project⦠Well, in this series, I played a chaebol heir, a very rich man, unlike the characters I've played before. So, for the next one, I think I want to go back to playing a not-so-rich character, someone who comes from a humble background," Siwan added.
With Love in Disguise, the actor takes on a role that blends romance, mystery and a different social background, while keeping character-driven storytelling at the centre of his choices.
