Actor Im Si-wan discharged from military, set for new TV series

 Actor Im Si-wan was discharged from the Army on Wednesday as the 30-year-old completed his mandatory military service, setting him up for his return to show business.

Im made his first official public appearance in 21 months in a discharge ceremony held at a boot camp in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province. He has been serving in the Army special forces since joining the Army in July 2017.

With a big smile, he gave his final military salute to fans and journalists who gathered together at the scene to welcome him back.

“I still can’t believe (I was discharged). Maybe I will after getting up late in my own bed without the morning bugle tomorrow morning,” Im told reporters and fans.

About 100 fans from as far as Japan and China, as well as South Korea, came out to the military camp to celebrate his discharge.

“I thank (my fans) for waiting for me. I also had chances to talk to (senior actor) Seol Kyung-gu a lot and get help while on leave during my military service. With so many things to be thankful of, I will work harder,” he said.

Im started his entertainment career in 2010, debuting as a member of idol band ZE:A before venturing into acting, appearing in a number of TV drama series and movies, including “The Attorney” and “Misaeng.”

His first project after the military discharge is “Strangers from Hell,” a webtoon-based thriller by cable channel OCN.

He has been cast in the lead role as a young man who moves to Seoul to find a job but finds himself in the company of very strange neighbors. The series will hit the small screen in the second half of the year.

Actor Im Si-wan salutes his fans at a military boot camp in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province, on March 27, 2019, as he was discharged from the Army after completing his mandatory military service. (Yonhap)