South Korean actor Yim Si-wan has ventured into new territory with his latest role as a contract killer in Netflix's action thriller "Mantis," a spin-off of the popular film "Kill Boksoon." Known for his versatility across different genres, Yim admits this particular role pushed him beyond his comfort zone, especially when it came to mastering intense action sequences that left him wanting to improve even further.
"It's a professional thing, but I always watch my work thinking I could have done better," Yim shared during a recent interview at a Seoul cafe. "I felt that most about the action scenes this time. I prepared diligently, including taking kickboxing lessons and attending action school, but seeing the final product left me with the regret that I could have performed the action even better."
In "Mantis," Yim portrays Han-ul, a top-tier assassin who wields dual sickles as his weapons of choice. The film expands the universe established in "Kill Boksoon," focusing on a new generation of killers competing for dominance within the assassination organization M.K. ENT. Yim's character returns from vacation only to face off against his former trainee and current rival Jae-yi, played by Park Gyu-young, as well as the legendary retired assassin Dok-go, portrayed by Jo Woo-jin.
The actor's journey to landing this role began somewhat unexpectedly while working with director Byun Sung-hyun on the original "Kill Boksoon" film. "Director Byun casually told me that if there was ever a spin-off, I would be the one to play Mantis," Yim recalled. "It felt like fate had chosen me, and I just waited for that destiny."
To bring Han-ul to life, Yim deliberately crafted a character with what he describes as "distinctive, low-class energy." He explained that the character needed to be "a bit vulgar, with a rough and showy style." Despite his character's confidence, Yim offered a humorous critique of Han-ul's abilities. "I sometimes think Han-ul is a bit too arrogant for his skill," he laughed. "He talks about being a genius, but if you look at his fights, he's not totally dominant."
The film also explores an unexpected romantic dimension between Han-ul and his rival Jae-yi. "The relationship between Han-ul and Jae-yi definitely held feelings of love, so it came out in the film," Yim explained. "I believe his focus was less on competition and more on the fact that she was the precious person who was the first to accept him."
Despite his growing success as an actor, Yim remains dedicated to his music career, having debuted as a member of the idol group ZE:A in 2010. "I have never given up on being a singer," he emphasized. "If I were to abandon or deny my singing career, it would feel like I was denying my entire 20s, which I don't want to do." He announced plans to release a new album before the year's end, describing the upcoming songs as "medium-tempo pop that are easy to listen to and catchy."
Looking toward future projects, Yim expressed his desire to take on lighter roles after portraying several dark characters, including his appearance in Netflix's "Squid Game." He's specifically seeking out romantic comedy opportunities or similarly "bright and cheerful" roles to showcase a different side of his acting range.
Yim concluded by emphasizing his commitment to continuous improvement and preparation as an actor. "I believe that an actor must always be prepared," he stated. "That means everything from staying in shape for action roles to studying English, which I see as a 'necessity, not an option' for a global career."
