[HanCinema's Actor Spotlight] Im Soo-hyang

There are many ways for a young actress to enter show business and many paths to choose. Some go for movies, some for drama, some try to aim for romantic comedy, others go for melodrama or sageuk, which are the more popular genres in Korean drama. Some, however, will go for variety and the potential to stand out in different genres and styles of work. Im Soo-hyang seems to be going for that taste of different things.

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Lim is a rookie actress and one who is very young both in age and her career. After making her debut in a very small role in 2009 movie '4th Period Mystery', which is also her only movie to date, Lim landed a supporting role in drama 'Paradise Ranch'. She received her first leading role in 'New Tales of Gisaeng' in 2012, before being cast as the second female lead in 'I Do, I Do'. 2013 and 2014 saw Lim taking a turn for the action genre, as a supporting character and villain in 'IRIS 2' and female lead-turned-second female lead in "Inspiring Generation".

By the looks of her short, but diverse resume, Lim is going for some interesting choices. From a series by the famous (or perhaps infamous) Im Sung-han to a big budget action one, with a stop for romantic comedy in between. Although it is tricky to cover such an array of genres and styles when lacking experience, what this would hopefully offer an actor would be being noticed for how adaptable they are.

On the other hand, it also shows flaws in one's current status. Lim is an actress with potential. Where many lack talent and will obviously not improve much without serious intervention, Lim seems like someone who has the talent, but is in need of experience and learning the skills. Lim has charisma and she commands attention on screen, there is no doubt there. However, she is still very much an uncertain diamond in the rough.

Looking at her acting, Lim does not seem to have much a flair for comedy, or at least yet. This is one first current flaw. She also has moments where she does not seem completely sure about where to go with things. This showed a lot in a more conventional work like 'I Do, I Do', where she struggled to fit the type of a second female lead and to portray the casual and less intense kind of a character. The energy is there, but she needs practice in controlling it and channeling it well.

But when it comes to darker roles, she shows glimpses of some really good stuff. Lim is very good when it comes to subtlety of expression and conveying emotion. The more human, more vulnerable and exposed moments of her characters feel very raw, but in the good kind of way, rather than unrefined. Her charisma coupled with her ability to really drive emotions home already give her two great advantages over many a rookie. If one can get viewers invested and interested in watching, that is half the battle won.

Given she has not had a breakthrough in terms of great popularity, the future is uncertain for someone like Im Soo-hyang. A lot will depend on her choices and landing the right roles. Potential is something a lot of people have. That is not a guarantee for success and unless casting directors see that talent and give her a chance to show how far she can take it, Lim might just never make it big. If she does choose wisely and is given the chance, however, she might just do great.

Written by: Orion from 'Orion's Ramblings'

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