Veteran actor Im Chul-hyung has found a new home. He signed an exclusive contract with Forest Network, the agency announced on October 14 — and he’s kicking off the partnership with a brand-new role.
According to the original report by Xports News, Forest Network revealed the signing and the casting news together. The agency said it is “glad to be with an actor who has proven his presence in every work with deep acting,” promising full support so he can keep showcasing his range.
In SBS’s medical noir “Doctor X: Age of the White Mafia,” Im plays Jang Gil-young, a neurosurgery professor at Guseo University Hospital. Jang is a “golden hands” surgeon whose craniotomy skills rank among the country’s best — yet he steps back when a surgery carries real risk, a pragmatic edge that should add fresh tension to the hospital’s power games.
Viewers won’t wait long to meet him. Jang makes his first appearance in episode 3, airing October 16, trading sharp words with Kim Ji-won’s Kye Soo-jung from their very first scene — a tense standoff between two very different doctors.
Im has spent years building a deep bench of roles, including “Doctor Lawyer,” “Military Prosecutor Doberman,” and the hit films “12.12: The Day” and “30 Days.” Known for grounded, finely detailed performances, he tends to leave a strong mark no matter the size of the part — and all eyes are on how Jang Gil-young shakes things up starting October 16.
