Im Joo-hwan released from military service
by javabeans
Im Joo-hwan is back! Granted he’s not in a new project just yet, but he has just completed his two-year service in the military. He was discharged on February 16, after having enlisted in May 2011, and is now back among our civilian ranks.
If you don’t remember much about Im Joo-hwan, it’s probably because he had a bit of a late start in his career and was just hitting his stride when army duty called. He had some minor roles in earlier dramas (A Love to Kill in 2005, Snow Queen in 2006), then acted in the 2008 ero-sageuk Frozen Flower. He played Kim Bum’s hyung in Boys Before Flowers the next year, and then really made his presence known (sorta) with 2009’s quirky comedic sageuk Tamra the Island.
The only reason I say “sorta” is because that drama had its share of misfortunes, which included getting cut by the broadcaster (MBC, of course) when its ratings didn’t perform. (At least it got a director’s cut release.) But despite that, the drama accumulated a rabid fanbase and turned him into a leading man to watch. Sadly, his next drama was What’s Up, which got shuffled around before landing on cable for a quiet run.
He’s a promising talent with a compelling screen presence; I do think you sorta have to see him in action, but he has range and vulnerability that draw you in. He reminds me a bit of an older and more quiet Kim Soo-hyun that way. Let’s hope he’s back in the news soon with comeback plans in the works.
Via My Daily
RELATED POSTS
- What’s Up: Episodes 1-2
- Im Joo-hwan to enlist this month
- What’s Up finds a new home on cable
- Im Joo-hwan joins Ryu Seung-beom and Younha in film project
- Im Joo-hwan’s Marriage War
- Im Joo-hwan in Arena
- Seo Woo and Im Joo-hwan reteam for CF
- Im Joo-hwan is one to watch in 2010
- Tamra the Island: Episode 1
Tags: army duty, Im Joo-hwan
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1 Mawiie
February 16, 2013 at 3:12 PM
Yay! I just finished What's Up recently so the timing is perfect! It's weird because the only thing I remember from Snow Queen was him (and Hyun Bin was there LOL). Will definitely keep an eye out for his future projects <3
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2 eleanor
February 16, 2013 at 3:14 PM
Yay!!!! He's back!!!! I just love him!
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3 canxi
February 16, 2013 at 3:14 PM
I love him. Can't believe it's been two years already. I was so surprised when I found out he got realeased, lol. Time really does fly. So this must mean Kim Jae Wook is out??? Or should be soon. Can't wait to see what he does as well.
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Ash
February 17, 2013 at 4:35 AM
No Kim Jae-wook yet, but there's less than two months to go. If I knew the exact number of days, I would be counting them down.
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4 xiaoSxin
February 16, 2013 at 3:22 PM
TEAM PARK KYU! ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤
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himonogirl
February 16, 2013 at 3:52 PM
I'm pretty sure I already screamed below a comment of yours, but once a TPK member, always a TPK member.
TEAM PARK KYU, UNITE!!!
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Celest
February 16, 2013 at 8:30 PM
ha! I love this! Definitely, always. TPK <3
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alua
February 17, 2013 at 3:42 AM
Himono! You keep vanishing.
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himonogirl
February 17, 2013 at 2:52 PM
keh, I know...well, what did you expect from a himono-onna?
(sorry to reply late, it's only now that I'm seeing your comment)
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himonogirl
February 16, 2013 at 3:53 PM
Oh, I forgot to add: has it already been 2 years? Seriously? SERIOUSLY? God, time sure goes so fast, I feel like I used a time machine without me knowing it. Wait, that would make a (bad) drama premise, wouldn't it?
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meenuby
February 16, 2013 at 6:24 PM
Yay, Team Park Kyu!!!
Now get yourself in a drama, stat!
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YY
February 16, 2013 at 10:33 PM
Parkyu Love of my Life, you are back!!!!
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Waca
February 18, 2013 at 3:28 AM
Oh Yessss, TEAM PARK KYU!!! <3 <3
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rain
February 24, 2013 at 5:18 AM
yeah, Team Park Kyu forever!
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5 Mystisith
February 16, 2013 at 3:26 PM
A VERY good actor. I want him to have good parts in challenging successful projects, for a change. I'm rewatching Tamra long version now and I'm still amazed by his screen presence (drama has flaws but HE is perfect). Team Park Kyu forever! :)
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6 Annie
February 16, 2013 at 3:45 PM
That face... how can he be almost 10 years older than me?!
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Peridot
February 16, 2013 at 4:25 PM
He never seems to age!
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7 Taiba
February 16, 2013 at 4:17 PM
awesome!! i fell for him in tamra!!
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8 SuziQ
February 16, 2013 at 4:18 PM
Made My Day!
Time Flies! Glad he's back!
Really enjoyed him in What's Up and Tamra!
Hope he gets cast soon! Can't wait to see him in a new project...
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9 Peridot
February 16, 2013 at 4:24 PM
I'm such a fan of Lim Ju Hwan. I am excited that he has returned to civilian life and can't wait to see what his next project will be. He may not be that famous, but his fans know and appreciate his talent. He is a truly expressive actor and I hope that he will take on more challenging roles. Whether or not he becomes popular should not be important. I just hope that he continues to do what he loves and picks roles because they are interesting, not because they may garner him fame and recognition. I think that he really stole the show in What's Up, and I'll never forget his performance in Tamna. I would recommend checking out one of his smaller roles in the film Suicide Forecast/Suspicious Customers.
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rain
February 24, 2013 at 5:21 AM
I like your words. Always love this actor!
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10 josie
February 16, 2013 at 4:44 PM
Im Ju Hwan is one actor who looks really good in hanbok or in a leather jacket. He is an actor who "fits" his roles well. Can't wait for his next project.
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11 houstontwin
February 16, 2013 at 4:52 PM
I thought that he was really lovely in Snow Queen even though he looked a bit young for the role.
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12 Jas
February 16, 2013 at 4:53 PM
Gaaahhhhh so excited!! I LOVED him in Tamra Island and What's Up! And you're right- he is one of those people that you have to see in action :)
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13 stars4u
February 16, 2013 at 4:55 PM
I loved him in What's Up
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14 momosa
February 16, 2013 at 5:08 PM
He's back!
Don't mind another sageuk yangban role from him. Hope to see him soon!
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15 Cynthia
February 16, 2013 at 5:13 PM
He looked familiar to me in that 1st pic but couldn't place him in anything I could remember until the 2nd pic popped up with him showing that 100 watt killer smile of his - and immediately flashed back to 'What's Up' and the great job he did there!
Will look forward to his upcoming project(s) and just hope he chooses wisely.
:)
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16 Adnap
February 16, 2013 at 5:39 PM
Love him!
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17 jomo143
February 16, 2013 at 5:39 PM
Yayayayayayayayayay!
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18 hpn88
February 16, 2013 at 6:01 PM
its so odd, some people its like you blink and their MS is done and others feel like they're never going to comeback...(his went by quickly for me)
but more importantly, pick a project and showcase those ARMY ABS!!!!!!!!!!
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19 Sponge
February 16, 2013 at 6:04 PM
Ahhh! I only just finished marathoning Whats up? this month, shame it didn't get more exposure considering i think it was a good drama and he was awesome in it!
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20 marid
February 16, 2013 at 6:09 PM
I need to go watch Snow queen & Tamra island.. I only seen him in "What's Up" and loved his character...
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21 bugs_bunny
February 16, 2013 at 6:34 PM
loved him in tamra:)
currently watching what's up and all i could say he's a good actor, inhabits his role quite well...
can't wait for his next project:)
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22 Hamster428
February 16, 2013 at 6:51 PM
The Exiled One! I need to see him in another fusion sageuk ASAP. He looks best in chilvary and a gat.
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23 cg
February 16, 2013 at 6:51 PM
that means I've seen him in boys before flowers.....
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24 autumnscribbles
February 16, 2013 at 6:57 PM
It saddens me how under-appreciated he is. I hope he will be in another sageuk soon.
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25 Rita
February 16, 2013 at 7:26 PM
thanks jb,
Oh he is back ! but the TAMRA female lead cast already
has a boyfriend, no sequel !.
Well, hope to see him in action again.
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26 Raine
February 16, 2013 at 7:41 PM
He is quite the dynamic actor. The intensity he has is rare. Yay for civilian IJH!
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27 joyce
February 16, 2013 at 9:30 PM
He is such a good actor. Love him in Tamra, the island...Team Park Kyu all the way!
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28 gaeinalee
February 16, 2013 at 9:57 PM
Welcome back, IJH~!
So happy to know he competed MS.
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29 Onichick
February 16, 2013 at 10:10 PM
WELCOME BACK! NOW ITS TIME FOR WHATS UP VOL 2! FOR REASONS!
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30 YY
February 16, 2013 at 10:38 PM
Parkyu!!!! That tall imposing figure in tall hat and flowing white robes....my Korean Gandalf!!!! Symbol of unbending justice and unwavering love, with that lovely, lovely smile....ah, Parkyu, sorely have I missed thee....
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31 Claire
February 17, 2013 at 12:10 AM
OMG can't wait for him in future drama projects! i like his acting in Tamna and What's Up..
I think one of the reasons it seemed time flew by so fast for his release is because of What's Up too..it aired while he's currently in military service..though it's a shame it didn't get recognition..
i wish him the best in his career!
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32 Jossy
February 17, 2013 at 1:35 AM
Wow~ feels like just last month I was watching what's up.. I like him though, all the best with your new projects and don't be shy to ...* ahem show us ya abs ;p
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33 Kairoskat 💐
February 17, 2013 at 2:14 AM
Yay!!!! I'm happy im joo hawns back..please be ina new drama or movie..cant wait to see you acting again..loved him in what's up..what's up deserves more love..huuu
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34 alua
February 17, 2013 at 3:44 AM
Ohhh. I did rather like him in What's Up.
Hope he finds a solid drama project soon and gets to shine!
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35 Ash
February 17, 2013 at 4:41 AM
I really liked him in What's Up and apparently I'm going to have to watch Tamra at some point because wow, there's a lot of love here in the comments. Glad to see him back.
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jomo143
February 17, 2013 at 6:38 AM
Make sure you watch the Director's Cut for Tamra, aka Tempted Again.
That means 21 episodes vs 16.
The 16 episode editing makes the story feel rushed and confusing. The 21 ep version feeeeeels so much better.
Dfever has the WRONG version up, FYI, imo because they chose the 16.
Viki has the 21 DC.
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Ash
February 17, 2013 at 5:01 PM
Thanks for the advice. I've only noticed it on dramafever, so I didn't even know there *was* a 21-ep version. I'll definitely aim for that one when I get around to watching it. I prefer viki anyway, so it works out well for me. :)
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Waca
February 18, 2013 at 3:38 AM
Yeah, he was great in What's Up! I liked a lot of the cast in that show, and the storyline was nice, but I hated the ending so much that it spoiled the show for me...too bad, I had bought Tamra, but I don't think I'll buy What's up. :(
Do watch Tamra, it's so great! And Jomo's right, do watch the 21 episodes! Be aware though that the beginning of the show is...a bit bizarre, even a bit bad, but after it's really great!
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36 Rachel
February 17, 2013 at 6:05 AM
"An older and more quiet Kim Soo-hyun" - I like that description! :D
Can't wait to catch more projects of his!
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37 Makoto
February 17, 2013 at 6:53 AM
I've just started to watch Tamra the Island before landing to this news. Welcome back home. :)
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38 john
February 17, 2013 at 7:53 AM
I enjoyed Tamra. Welcome back Im Joo-hwan.
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39 lychee
February 17, 2013 at 8:14 AM
He reminds me of w-inds Keita .. LOL
but glad he's back :)
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40 crazykel
February 17, 2013 at 8:17 AM
More sageuks, please! I'm so glad he's back! I loved Park Kyu in Tamra!
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41 Stacey
February 17, 2013 at 11:47 AM
YAY IM JOO HWAN! I love him. Hopefully he gets a good comeback project. He is so pretty and talented
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42 swol
February 17, 2013 at 2:54 PM
Team Park Kyu all the way! Because i fell for him in What's Up, i watched Tamara and i cnt wait to fall for him some more!!!
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43 folieadeux
February 17, 2013 at 3:42 PM
WELCOME BACK PARK KYU! <3
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44 Mini Roo
February 17, 2013 at 5:01 PM
AHHH! I teared up a little when he had to go to army duty, but he's out now!!! can't wait for his next project! I hope it's good!
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45 watchumlots
February 17, 2013 at 7:24 PM
Oooh, Ohhh, Ohhh! Another flower-boy, we were running short.
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46 Waca
February 18, 2013 at 3:33 AM
Thank you sooooo much for the news!!!
I love that actor, he's one of my favs! I first saw him in Tamra where he brought me to tears many times (Team Park Kyu forever! <3)! I hope we'll hear from him soon!
These news made my day!!! Thank you!!! :)
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47 Koi94
February 18, 2013 at 6:18 AM
Oh-ho! Hrmph! He's back! :)
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48 Carmensitta
February 19, 2013 at 4:05 AM
Apart from What's Up and BOF I haven't watched his other projects, but I liked what I saw. Or I guess I can take BOF from that list because I can barely remember a scene or two from that drama, I think I watched it about 5 years ago...
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49 Moko
February 19, 2013 at 5:15 AM
This makes me seriously giddy. Now I'm so happy I could cry tears....aaaahhhhh
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50 BlueStar
March 11, 2013 at 1:29 PM
Omg, he's finally back! I was so sad that I had only discovered this amazing actor while he was completing his military service and was so disappointed that he didn't leave with a bang. I hope he picks up a new project soon.
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