From K-Pop Star to Aspiring Actress: The Journey of Im Dohwa

Star Catcher: Introducing Rising Stars in the Entertainment Industry

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"I wanted to quit being an entertainer. I thought I had done enough and wondered, 'What should I do with my life now?' So, I went down to Gumi, helped at my mom's store, and worked a part-time job packing lunch boxes at dawn. I rode my bike around, observing how people live."

Recently, Im Dohwa shared these thoughts during an interview at the TenAsia office in Seoul. She debuted in 2012 as Chanmi, the youngest member of AOA, and changed her name to Im Dohwa earlier this year to pursue an acting career. After parting ways with FNC Entertainment last May, where she spent 15 years, she signed an exclusive contract with Dante Entertainment. In June, she married theater actor Song Eui-hwan.

As a teenager, Im Dohwa reached the pinnacle of K-pop as the youngest member of her group. Her journey was not without challenges. In 2023, she returned to the stage as a solo artist on 'Queendom Puzzle' and is now passionately pursuing her acting career.

Currently, she is diligently working to find a project she can call her 'signature work.' Im Dohwa expressed, "I don't know when this endless time will end, but fortunately, I'm not in despair. I want to act until I can walk confidently without anyone's help, but I have a long way to go."

"I'm thinking about 50 years (laughs). I'll be acting for 50 years, but if I get impatient and anxious now, I might get exhausted and give up early. I think of the next 1-2 years as a time to relax and take it positively."

She added, "Worrying doesn't create auditions or opportunities. I'm doing my best with what I can do during that time. I used to only take acting lessons provided by the company, but now I look for teachers and classes that suit me. I'm attending classes and studying life itself by watching movies and documentaries."

"If there's no work related to acting, I go to the cafe. I don't stay idle at home. I love lying down and watching TV, but I believe there's no growth in complacency, so I'm living diligently."

Alongside her acting career, Im Dohwa runs a brunch cafe with her husband.

"Most customers don't recognize me because I work without makeup. On days when I have a schedule and wear makeup, they might notice, but otherwise, they don't. I just think of myself as the cafe owner. I have to pay attention to hygiene, service, and everything else, so it's endless. My goal is to shorten the cycle of worries."

What led Im Dohwa to return to acting after considering leaving the entertainment industry? She explained, "While exploring various experiences after stepping away from entertainment, I met my husband at church. During that process, I started contemplating acting. Many people at church are involved in acting, so we talked about the charm of this work."

"We created a piece through a small group at church. We staged a collaborative play based on Bible stories. Through that, I felt the allure of acting and developed a new dream of becoming an actress."

Im Dohwa has appeared in various short-form content and made a special appearance in 'SKY Castle.' She also won first place in the 2017 broadcast of 'I Am an Actor.' She has since participated in several survival shows, including 'Queendom' and 'Queendom Puzzle.'

She believes survival shows suit her well, saying, "I've grown a lot through participating in three programs. Survival shows allow for explosive growth in a short period."

Reflecting on her experience in 'I Am an Actor,' Im Dohwa shared, "I was greatly inspired by the younger participants. I had been in the industry for a while, but I felt the difference in passion compared to the newcomers. Their approach to the program was different." She added, "I actually participated at the company's suggestion, while other newcomers joined of their own volition. Watching them reminded me of my earnestness during my early days and made me realize how precious the opportunities I have now are."

"In the past, when the company gave me a schedule, I approached it with a 'let's burn through a few hours' mindset. Through 'I Am an Actor,' I realized that this position could be incredibly important to someone else. So, I can't take it lightly anymore, and I strive to remember that even after the program ended."

Reporter Lee So-jung, TenAsia forusojung@tenasia.co.kr