Lim Seul-ong (Hangul: 임슬옹; born 11 May 1987), also known by the mononym Seulong, is a South Korean singer and actor.[3] He debuted as a singer in 2008 as a member of the K-pop boyband 2AM.[4] He made his acting debut in 2010 in the Korean drama, Personal Taste.[5]

Lim Seul-ong
Lim in 2017
Born (1987-05-11) 11 May 1987 (age 37)
Seoul, South Korea
Education
Occupations
  • Singer
  • actor
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • piano
Years active2008–present
Labels
Member of2AM
Korean name
Hangul
임슬옹
Hanja
Revised RomanizationIm Seul-ong
McCune–ReischauerIm Sŭrong

Early life and education

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Lim began studying film and acting at Daejin University's Department of Theatre and Visual Arts in 2010. 2AM member Jeong Jinwoon is also an alumnus of the university.[6] Lim later was a student of Kyunghee University Graduate School of Business's Department of Culture & Arts Management while an active member of 2AM.[7][8]

Career

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Pre-debut

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Lim in 2008

In 2008, Seulong took part in Mnet's "Hot Blood". The program showed the intense physical training that thirteen male trainees had to go through to compete for the opportunity to debut in either a 4-member ballad group or a 7-member dance group under the label JYP Entertainment.[9] After going through several elimination processes, Seulong was chosen to become a member of the 4-member ballad group 2AM, co-managed by JYP Entertainment and Big Hit Entertainment.

On a talk show, SBS "Night After Night", in 2009, Seulong revealed that he had turned down an initial offer from his current agency JYP Entertainment (JYPE) to join YG Entertainment.[10] But he ended up not making it into YG and got another call from JYP.

Debut with 2AM

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2AM's first single "This Song" was released on 21 July 2008. It debuted on 11 July 2008, performing "이 노래" ("This Song").[11] In March 2015, Seulong decided to switch agencies, joining SidusHQ.[12] Fellow 2AM member Jinwoon also signed to another management agency while the remaining members remained with JYP Entertainment. JYP Entertainment assured that the departures did not imply that 2AM was going to be disbanded. However, the scenario has put 2AM on temporary break from any group activities at the moment.[13]

Television and collaboration

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In 2009, Seulong and Jo Kwon were part of "Dirty Eyed Girls" on an episode of 2PM's variety show "Wild Bunny", performing a parody of popular Brown Eyed Girls song Abracadabra. The music video became extremely popular.[14]

In 2010, he collaborated with IU for the song "Nagging" for TV show We Got Married, which reached No.1 on several online music charts. They won an award for "Nagging" on SBS Inkigayo and KBS Music Bank K-Chart respectively. Seulong and Jinwoon make regular appearances as commentators for We Got Married Season II.

While preparing for 2AM's 2013 comeback on 5 March, Seulong was confirmed on 25 February 2013 that he would be one of the emcees for the new season XTM Homme. XTM Homme is Korea's first male style variety show, providing latest fashion trend information and tech news. It is currently in its 5th season. XTM Homme 5.0 was scheduled to broadcast on 15 April 2013. [15][16]

Acting

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On 31 March 2010, he made his acting debut as a supporting actor in the television drama Personal Taste. He also starred opposite Lee Min-jung in Lunch Box on the single-episode anthology MBC Best Theater, followed by omnibus film, Acoustic. In 2011, he appeared in the sitcom Welcome to the Show, and hosted the music program Inkigayo with Nickhun and Sulli.

In 2012, Seulong was cast in the film 26 Years, in which he played a policeman who wants to assassinate a former president. 26 Years was released through crowdfunding, with 15,000 people contributing to its ₩26 billion (US$23,897,068) budget. For his role in the film, Seulong became the third idol group member to win a rookie award for his or her film debut, following Big Bang's T.O.P and Miss A's Bae Suzy. He won Best New Actor at the opening ceremony of the Marie Claire Film & Music Festival in 2013.[17] He received a nomination at the 49th Baeksang Arts Awards.

In 2013, he took on the role of the Crown Prince in The Fugitive of Joseon, in which a doctor struggles to save his daughter from a terminal illness.[18] Later that year, Seulong and Kim Seul-gi were cast in the leading roles in a remake of the webtoon series Infinite Power. It was released online on Naver and Samsung smart phones.[19]

Seulong was cast in Hotel King (2014), where he played a hotelier with a positive attitude and a loud personality who falls for the hotel heiress.[20]

On 2 January 2015, Seulong's agency announced that he had been confirmed for new tvN's upcoming drama Hogu's Love. He will be acting as lawyer Byun Kang Chul, who has never experienced failure in his life. Byun Kang Chul is a perfect man who grew up in the top 1 percent of Korea. He has been superior since birth to the point where he doesn't need dating skills. "Hogu's Love" is a drama based on the original webtoon series with the same title by writer Yoo Hyun Sook, who wrote the original webtoon series of tvN's Flower Boys Next Door.[21]

Seulong has been cast as the lead for the upcoming movie, Horror Stories 3.[22] Horror Stories is a horror movie series in omnibus format. Horror Stories 3 plays a role as a bridge between the first and second sequels, thus talks about past, present as well as future. The story of the third sequel is delivered in a unique setting borrowing the scientific fiction genre.

In September 2017, Lim returned to Korean cinema with the comedy film The Star Next Door. He played an idol who gets caught up in a scandal with an actress (Han Chae-young) who has a teenage daughter (Jin Ji-hee) that has a crush on him.[23]

Music

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2013: Solo

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Seulong collaborates with Swedish DJ Avicii for a Korean remake of the hit song "Levels". For the newest version with Seulong, James's vocals are replaced with an autotuned verse in Korean. According to a spokesman for Universal Music Korea, Avicii's agency decided on Seulong for the Korean version "after monitoring various artists because they found his voice the most suitable and beautiful." The single named "Levels with Seulong from 2AM" was released on 9 May 2013.[24] The latest version with Seulong was second place on the Daily Pop Chart of Korea's biggest online music website MelOn's Top 100 Chart.[25]

Seulong teamed up with Epitone Project for a song to close off the summer season, titled "Summer, Night". The song was created in an effort to return the favor, Epitone Project had performed for 2AM when they wrote and composed one of the songs on 2AM's previous album, "One Spring Day". The release of the digital single was on 17 September 2013.[26]

2014: Collaborations and first self-composed song "U Don't Know"

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In May, Seulong lent his voice for Yoon Jong Shin's "New You" as part of his monthly new single project. A ballad song titled "New You", a song about cherishing the current moment and the present love a couple may have for one another, without thinking about the past or worrying about the future.[27]

On 4 August, Swings teamed up with female soloist G.NA, 2AM's Seulong, and producer/singer Yoon Jong Shin to release Summer Song "Pool Party".[28]

In the same month at "2014 JYP NATION ONE MIC" concerts in Korea, Seulong and 2 pm member's Taecyeon's collaboration stage, they performed an unreleased new song titled "U Don't Know", which was co-written by both of them, for the first time. The live recording of this song, together with a studio version, was later released in the live album featuring the recording from the concert in November.[29]

2015: "It's cold", "Good Start 2015" Collaborations

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Singer-songwriter Shim Hyun Bo released his fourth album with a new single "It's Cold" in collaboration with Seulong on 2 February 2015. It is one of two title songs from Shin Hyun Bo's new album.[30]

Mnet "Unpretty Rapstar" released Track 2 "Good Start 2015″ featuring AOA's Jimin and Seulong on 27 February 2015. Within just nine hours of its release, the track reached the top spot on major charts including Mnet, Melon, Daum, Genie, Olleh Music, Bugs, Soribada, Monkey3, Cyworld and Naver Music.[31]

Ambassador roles

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Seulong was selected as ambassador for the 2012 Jecheon International Music & Film Festival along with actress Son Eun-seo. In 2012, Seulong and Jinwoon were selected as Brand Ambassadors for Galaxy Note Day held in Busan and Gwangju.[32]

On 15 July 2013, JIMFF announced that Seulong and Korean actress Nam Bo-ra were appointed to be honorary ambassadors for the 9th Jecheon International Music & Film Festival. The festival began on 14 August and continued until 19 August. This is Seulong's second appointment as ambassador for film festival.[33]

Personal life

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Military enlistment

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Lim's agency announced that he will begin his mandatory military service on 28 November 2017.[34][35] Lim entered the third division recruit training centre in Cherowon County of Gangwon Province.[36]

On 6 April 2018 Lim's agency announced that Lim will no longer be an active-duty soldier. Back in 2011, Lim was diagnosed with myofascial pain syndrome, internal disc disruption, facet joint syndrome, irregular chest pain, and chronic pain which are symptoms of '12th rib syndrome' which is a rare disorder that requires continuous medication and he had received treatment up until the enlistment. However, the symptoms have worsened during military training and he was moved from active duty to "reservist" status where he waits for a draft notice to complete his rest of the mandatory duties.[37]

Business

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Lim opened his first bar, Nerd on Earth, in 2016[38] and second one, Odd Bar, a few months before he was enlisted for the military in November 2017. Both bars feature rooftops and have panoramic views of Itaewon.

Car crash

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At 11:50 p.m. on 1 August 2020, Lim hit a pedestrian while driving an SUV on a road in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul. It was reported that the road was slippery due to torrential downpour. According to Korean news outlets, the victim was jaywalking a red pedestrian crossing light. The victim died on the way to the hospital.[39]

Discography

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Singles

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Title Year Peak chart positions Sales Album
KOR
[40]
As lead artist
"7E77 ME, B43Y"
(말을 해줘)
2015 Normal single album
"Melatonin" Melatonin single album
"That Moment"
(그 순간)
2017 Non-album single
"You" (너야)
(feat. Beenzino)
40 You single album
"Sea of Love"
(너의 바다)
Non-album singles
"Because I Love You More"
(내가 더 많이 널 사랑해서)
2021
Collaborations
"Nagging"
(잔소리)
(with IU)
2010 1 I U
"How We Feel"
(with DJ Clazzi)
2011 54 Clazzi Volume 1 - Infant
"Summer, Night"
(여름, 밤)
(with Epitone Project)
2013 43 Non-album singles
"New You"
(with Yoon Jong-shin)
2014 61
"It's Cold"
(차갑다)
(with Shim Hyun-bo)
2015 Warm
"Good Start 2015"
(시작이 좋아 2015)
(with Jimin)
2 Unpretty Rapstar Compilation
"On the Way to Love"
(뭔가 될 것 같은 날)
(with Yoon Hyun-sang)
2016 31 Non-album single
"Always In My Heart"
(이별을 배웠어)
(with Joy)
10
  • KOR: 415,364
SM Station Season 1
"Female Friend"
(여자사람 친구)
(with Kei)
2020 175 Non-album singles
"Separation in the Daytime"
(대낮에 한 이별)
(with Sunye)[46]
2022 58
As featured artist
"Levels"
(Avicii feat. Seulong)
2013 Non-album singles
"God"
(Genius Nochang feat. Seulong, Shin Ji-soo, Lovey, Sin Bo-hye, Jeon Hyo-jin)
2015
Soundtrack appearances
"Road of Tears"
(눈물길)
(with Changmin)
2012 52 Dr. Jin OST
"Destiny"
(with Esna)
Hogu's Love OST
"Lovely"
(Lovely해)
(with Bomi)
2015 64 Some Guys, Some Girls OST
"Same Thing" Love Cells 2 OST
"If You Are Love"
(그대가 사랑이라면)
2016 Mrs. Cop 2 OST
"Finding Differences"
(틀린그림찾기)
(with Kisum)
34 Uncontrollably Fond OST
"When I Close My Eyes"
(눈 감아도 눈을 떠도)
2020 Once Again OST
"Let the Star Shine Us Again"
(이별이 다시 우릴 비춰주길)
(with Lee Sung-kyung)[47][48]
2024 TBA Transit Love 3 OST Part 7
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Ref
2010 Acoustic Ji-hoo [49]
2012 26 Years Kwon Jung-hyuk
2014 Late Spring Bicycle lad (cameo)
2016 Horror Stories 3 Lee Saeng
2017 The Star Next Door Yoon Ji Hoon

Television series

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Year Title Role Ref
2010 Personal Taste Kim Tae-hoon [5]
Lunch Box Soo-cheol [50]
2011 Welcome To The Show Seulong [51]
Dream High Firefighter (cameo)
2013 The Fugitive of Joseon Crown Prince Lee Ho
Infinite Power Jang Seon-jae
2014 Hotel King Seon Woo-hyeon
2015 Hogu's Love Byeon Kang-cheol
2016 Mrs. Cop 2 Oh Seung-Il
2021 The Penthouse: War in Life 3 Doctor (Ep. 13) [52]
2022 Andante of Love Lim Joo-hyeong [53]

Web series

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Year Title Role Ref.
2015 Love Cells 2 Tae-joon
2017 Let's Eat, Anna Park Ji-yong [54]

Variety shows

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Year Title Network Notes Ref
2013 Homme 5.0 XTM Host
2014 Homme 6.0
2016 King of Mask Singer MBC Contestant, episodes 87–88
2017 Duet Song Festival Contestant, episode 37
Dialogue is Necessary tvN [55]

Web shows

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Year Title Network Role Ref.
2021 Double Trouble Watcha Contestant [56]

Musicals

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Year Title Role Ref
2017 Mata Hari Armand [57]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2010 5th Cyworld Digital Music Awards Song of the Month (June) "Nagging" (with IU) Won
12th Mnet Asian Music Awards Best Collaboration Nominated [58]
2nd Bugs Music Awards Song of the Year Nominated [59][60]
Best Duet (Bronze) Won
Best Variety Star We Got Married Nominated
MBC Drama Awards Best New Actor Personal Taste Nominated
2013 1st Marie Claire Film & Music Festival Best New Actor 26 Years Won [61]
49th Baeksang Arts Awards Best New Actor Nominated [62]
34th Blue Dragon Film Awards Best New Actor Nominated [63]
KBS Drama Awards Best New Actor The Fugitive of Joseon Nominated
2015 51st Paeksang Arts Awards Most Popular Actor (Drama) Hogu's Love Nominated [64]
Year Date Song title
2010 27 June "Nagging" (with IU)
Year Date Song title
2010 25 June Nagging "(with IU)"
2 July

References

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  1. ^ "임슬옹, 젤리피쉬와 전속계약 체결…빅스·박기웅과 한솥밥[공식]". Naver (in Korean). 4 February 2020. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
  2. ^ "2AM 임슬옹, CJ ENM 레이블 웨이크원과 전속계약 체결 [공식]". Naver News. 26 October 2022. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  3. ^ 임슬옹 소개 [Lim Seul-ong Profile]. Mnet (in Korean). Archived from the original on 28 April 2018. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
  4. ^ Sung, Ji-eun (7 April 2018). "2AM's Lim Seul-ong transfers to the reserves". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
  5. ^ a b Hong, Lucia (2 March 2010). "2AM member Seulong to make acting debut". Asia Economic Daily. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
  6. ^ Park, Si-soo (3 February 2014). "Conflicting views of celebs on campus". The Korea Times. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  7. ^ "2AM's Lim Seulong is a Busy Student". enewsworld. 9 November 2013. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
  8. ^ "2AM 임슬옹, 대학원 조별 과제 사진 공개 '불타는 학구열'". The Chosun Ilbo (조선일보) (in Korean). 18 August 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  9. ^ "2PM's Top Bromance Moments With 2AM". enewsworld. 9 November 2013. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
  10. ^ "2AM Seulong says turned down JYP for YG". Asiae. 9 November 2013.
  11. ^ 2AM ‘이노래’, 질러차트 2주째 1위 Archived 11 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Paran. 25 September 2008.
  12. ^ "2AM's Im Seulong signs with Sidus HQ to further career". kpopfighting.com. 26 March 2015.
  13. ^ "2AM Members Seulong, Jinwoon Leave JYP Entertainment, Group Reportedly Has No Plan To Officially Disband". kpopstarz.com. 29 March 2015.
  14. ^ (in Korean) ‘드러운아이드걸스'의 '다불어때 다불었다'? 패러디 화제, Mydaily.co.kr, 26 August 2009.
  15. ^ "2AM 임슬옹, 패션 MC 낙점 '정윤기와 맞선다'" (in Korean). Newsen. 28 February 2013.
  16. ^ "XTM옴므5.0" (in Korean). XTM. 13 April 2013.
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  18. ^ "KBS 수목 특별기획드라마 '천명' 대본 리딩 현장 공개" (in Korean). JKSTARS. 28 February 2013.
  19. ^ Seulong & Kim Seul Gi to Star in SNS Drama "Infinite Power", KpopStarz.com, 22 October 2013.
  20. ^ Seulong Cast in Upcoming Drama[permanent dead link], TenAsia.com, 20 February 2014.
  21. ^ Lim Seulong to Transform into Elite Lawyer in Drama Hogu's Love Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine, mwave.interest.me, 2 January 2015.
  22. ^ confirmed to lead movie 'Horror Stories 3'[permanent dead link], hancinema, 6 November 2015.
  23. ^ Kim Jae-heun (13 September 2017). "'Star Next Door' offers fun on Chuseok". The Korea Times. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
  24. ^ Seulong Collaborates With Swedish DJ Avicii, KpopStarz.com, 22 October 2013.
  25. ^ Seulong Collaborates with Top DJ Avicii[permanent dead link], tenasia.com, 22 October 2013.
  26. ^ Seulong and Epitone Project say goodbye to summer with the release of a digital single, allkpop.com, 22 October 2013.
  27. ^ Im Seulong Sings "New You" for Yoon Jong Shin's Monthly Project[permanent dead link], soompi.com, 2 January 2015.
  28. ^ to Release Summer Song "Pool Party" Featuring G.NA, 2AM's Seulong, and Yoon Jong Shin Archived 18 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine, soompi.com, 2 January 2015.
  29. ^ Entertainment to release "JYP NATION ONE MIC" live album[permanent dead link], kpopmusic.com, 2 January 2015.
  30. ^ Hyun Bo releases "It's Cold" MV teaser ft. 2AM's Im Seulong, koreaboo.com, 2 March 2015.
  31. ^ "Unpretty Rapstar" releases Track 2 "Good Start 2015″ ft. AOA's Jimin and 2AM's Seulong[permanent dead link], koreaboo.com, 2 March 2015.
  32. ^ Profile Archived 9 December 2012 at the Wayback Machine, eng.jiff.or.kr; accessed 4 May 2015.
  33. ^ (English) "2AM Seulong, Actress Nam Bo-ra to Promote Jecheon Film Fest". tenasia. 17 July 2013. Archived from the original on 3 November 2013.
  34. ^ Hong Se-young (6 November 2017). 임슬옹 28일 현역 입대 "행사無…조용히 입소할 것" [공식입장]. Sports Donga (in Korean).
  35. ^ Hong Dam-young (7 November 2017). "Lim Seul-ong to join military on Nov. 28". Sports Donga.
  36. ^ Lee Mi-hyun (1 December 2017). 임슬옹 측 "철원 3사단 신병대 입소…열심히 훈련 중"[공식]. News Nate (in Korean).
  37. ^ So-young Yang (6 April 2018). 임슬옹 측 "희귀질병으로 현역→보충역 편입 처분". Today Star News (in Korean).
  38. ^ "Nerd on Earth". Visit Seou.
  39. ^ Kiew, Chelsea (5 August 2020). "Seulong of K-pop boy band 2AM 'in shock' after car accident that led to death of pedestrian". The Straits Times. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  40. ^ Gaon Digital Chart positions:
  41. ^ "2017년 25주차 Download Chart" (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association.
  42. ^ "2017년 26주차 Download Chart" (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association.
  43. ^ "2011년 48주차 Download Chart".
  44. ^ Cumulative sales for "Summer, Night"
  45. ^ "2015년 Download Chart" (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association.
  46. ^ Kim Ji-soo (28 January 2022). "박진영 '대낮에 한 이별', 15년 만에 리메이크…선예·임슬옹 듀엣" [Park Jin-young's 'Goodbye in broad daylight' remake after 15 years... Sunye and Im Seulong duet] (in Korean). The Fact. Retrieved 29 January 2022 – via Naver.
  47. ^ Lee Sungkyung, Lim Seulong - Let The Star Shine Us Again (환승연3 OST Part 7). Stone Music Entertainment – via YouTube.
  48. ^ Seon, Mi-kyung (1 March 2024). 임슬옹X이성경, '환승연애3' 과몰입 부른다 [Lim Seulong x Lee Sungkyung, 'Exchange 3' Calls for over-immersion]. Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  49. ^ 임슬옹 필모그래피 [Lim Seul-ong Filmography]. Korean Movie Database (in Korean). Retrieved 28 April 2018.
  50. ^ Chae, Ki-won (12 October 2010). "[PIFF] Interview - 2AM member Im Seulong". 10Asia. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
  51. ^ "Seulong's Filmography, Credits". HanCinema. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
  52. ^ Bae Soo-jung (3 September 2021). "[종합] '펜트하우스' 윤종훈, 임슬옹 도움…김소연은 윤종훈 살해-이지아 절벽 밀어 사망 엔딩?" [[Comprehensive] ‘Penthouse’ Jonghoon Yoon, Seulong Lim help… Kim So-yeon killed Jong-hoon Yoon - Ending of death by pushing Lee Ji-ah off a cliff?]. topstarnews (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  53. ^ Kim Hye-jeong (21 April 2022). "임슬옹 '사랑의 안단테' 주연 발탁[공식]" [Seulong Im selected as the lead in ‘Andante of Love’ [Official]] (in Korean). Sports Kyunghyang. Retrieved 21 April 2022 – via Naver.
  54. ^ "애나야 밥먹자, Credits". Naver (in Korean). Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  55. ^ (Korean)대화가 필요한 개냥, movie.naver.com, 12 September 2017.
  56. ^ Gong Mi-na (15 November 2021). "[단독]왓챠 '더블 트러블', 임슬옹·블락비 태일·위아이 김동한 합류" [[Exclusive] Watcha 'Double Trouble' joins Im Seulong, Block B's Taeil, and We.I's Kim Donghan] (in Korean). Star News. Retrieved 16 November 2021 – via Naver.
  57. ^ (Korean) "임슬옹, 데뷔후 첫 뮤지컬 '마타하리' 캐스팅…옥주현과 호흡". xportsnews. 11 April 2017.
  58. ^ Winners at the 2010 Mnet Asian Music Awards!. allkpop.com, 28 November 2010.
  59. ^ Bugs reveals the results for "2010 Bugs Music Awards", allkpop.com, 14 December 2010.
  60. ^ (in Korean) 소녀시대, 벅스뮤직어워드 '올해의 노래' 등 3관왕, nate.com, 15 December 2010.
  61. ^ Marie Claire Korea [@marieclairekr] (20 February 2013). "제1회 마리끌레르 필름&뮤직 페스티벌 루키상은 영화 <26년>의 임슬옹 님! 어머나, 정말 훤칠하시군요! 축하합니다!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  62. ^ "2013 Best New Movie Actor Nomination" (in Korean). IS PLUS Corp. 4 April 2013. Archived from the original on 29 June 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  63. ^ 청룡영화상 후보작 발표…'관상' 9개 부문 최다 노미네이트 (in Korean). xportsnews. 7 November 2013.
  64. ^ 인기투표 (in Korean). isplus. 24 April 2015.
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