The Im Si-wan starring tvN drama ‘My Guilty Man’ recently premiered, sparking mixed reactions among viewers regarding the lead actor’s distinct vocal tone and delivery.
Aired on the 19th, the first episode of ‘My Guilty Man’ introduces a close-knit romance thriller between Yoon Eui-jun (played by Im Si-wan), an arrogant third-generation chaebol pointed out as a murder suspect, and Kang Jae-hee (played by Seol In-ah), a special forces detective who goes undercover as his private secretary.
During the premiere, Yoon Eui-jun discovers the body of his secretary Han Eun-young (played by Jung Yu-min) inside an office cabinet and is swiftly designated as the prime suspect. To uncover the truth behind hurried police investigations, Kang Jae-hee successfully infiltrates his inner circle as a secretary after saving him from an attack by the victim’s grieving family.
The debut episode recorded a nationwide paid household rating of 5.6% according to Nielsen Korea, claiming the top spot in its time slot. This figure comes close to the premiere record of this year’s top tvN hit ‘The Mess Sergeant Becomes a Legend’ (5.8%), signaling a strong green light for future viewership ratings.
However, after the broadcast, online communities buzzed with discussions about Im Si-wan’s acting tone. While male leads in romance dramas typically employ lower, heavier vocal pitches suited to wealthy chaebol characters, Yoon Eui-jun’s higher and lighter tone made it somewhat difficult for certain viewers to fully immerse themselves, raising questions about upcoming romantic sequences.
Netizens expressed surprise and amusement, while others noted that the character Kang Jae-hee even confronted Yoon Eui-jun on screen by asking, “Why is your tone of voice like that?” This suggests that the distinct vocal delivery may be an intentional creative choice to highlight the character’s unique personality, fueling anticipation for upcoming episodes.
The new series ‘My Guilty Man’ airs every Monday and Tuesday at 8:50 PM KST.
