Singer Im Young-woong recently announced his entry into acting and is expected to be quite active.
Previously, on Dec. 7, 2022, Im Young-woong became embroiled in controversy with the response 'What?' leading to the nickname 'Im What.' At that time, protests and gatherings calling for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol were in full swing regarding the Dec. 3 martial law situation, but Im Young-woong left a post celebrating his dog's birthday, which caused some dissonance among internet users. In response, when an internet user sent a direct message asking, 'What are you doing in this situation?' Im Young-woong replied, 'What?' which became a hot topic.
In particular, when the internet user pointed out, 'Many citizens gathered to discuss the impeachment of the president who declared martial law unconstitutionally, and while I don't expect you to raise your voice, it is truly thoughtless. Aren't the age group who experienced the previous martial law your main consumer base?' Im Young-woong replied, 'Am I a politician?' and 'Why should I raise my voice?' expressing discomfort. Of course, it hasn't been confirmed whether it was indeed Im Young-woong who sent the direct message, but both Im Young-woong and his agency maintained silence, further fueling the controversy.
Additionally, during the period of national mourning following the tragedy involving passengers of Muan Airport, Im Young-woong held a solo concert titled 'Im Young-woong Recital' at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, which drew criticism since it occurred during the period of national mourning. Given the somber social atmosphere, many questioned whether it was appropriate to proceed with the concert. However, Im Young-woong did send thoughts of remembrance to the victims through a moment of silence before the performance.
After quietly continuing his activities, Im Young-woong recently shared news of his challenges in acting. He released a video titled 'Im Young-woong Recital [RE:CITAL] Behind Ep1. The process where the bashful one evolves into Hyojaeng-i' on his YouTube channel 'Channel Im Young-woong.' The footage showed Im Young-woong preparing for a script reading for the concert's video clips and greeting actors Sung Dong-il and Lee Il-hwa, seeking acting advice.
Im Young-woong, who showcased excellent dialect acting, expressed his feelings about his first acting challenge, stating, 'It feels strange to see myself on the monitor. I always find it awkward to look at my face. Senior Sung Dong-il has been guiding me well, creating a natural atmosphere for my performance.'
In this way, Im Young-woong showcased various charms to his fans. On the 4th, he posted several photos on his personal social media account. Though there were no particular captions, he shared moments of his daily life with fans. In response, fans reacted enthusiastically, saying, 'It's so nice to see you after a long time,' 'Show us more of your diverse side,' and 'Looking forward to your upcoming activities.'
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