2004–2008: Beginnings Lim made his first professional television debut on
Magic, aired on
SBS in 2004, and made his film debut in ''
A Millionaire's First Love in 2006, followed by a series of supporting roles, notably in The Snow Queen (2006) and Boys Over Flowers (2009). He received favorable reviews for his performance as a blind painter in episode 10 of Auction House'', a 2007 TV series revolving around the art world which aired on
MBC.
2009–2010: Rising popularity and breakthrough Lim's breakthrough came in his first leading role in the 2009 MBC series
Tamra, the Island. Set in Jeju Island,
Haenam in
South Jeolla Province, it was a hybrid form of TV drama that combined romantic comedy and historical fiction. It portrayed the relationship between Koreans and foreigners in 17th century
Joseon. Though it received low ratings,
Tamra, the Island gained a cult following. Lim later won New Actor of the Year at the 2009 Korean Culture and Entertainment Awards for his performance. To capitalize on his growing fan base in Japan due to
Tamra, the Island, Lim starred in the 2-episode special drama
Marriage War of Doenjang-kun and Natto-chan, about a Korean man and a Japanese woman who fall in love while working together on a Korea-Japan joint project.
2011–2012: Military enlistment ''
What's Up, the long-delayed musical campus drama that Lim filmed in 2010, finally aired on cable channel MBN in 2011. It was written by renowned drama scribe Song Ji-na (Sandglass'') and is the story of college students learning acting and performance arts in the university's musical theatre department. Lim played the leading role of Jang Je-hun, a cynical outsider who becomes completely immersed in the world of musicals. He followed that with a supporting role as a warm-hearted homeless man with
Tourette's syndrome in the film
The Suicide Forecast in 2011. In 2011, Lim enlisted for his
mandatory military service. During basic training, he fainted due to heart problems and was hospitalized for 3 months. He then completed his service despite being given the option for an early discharge. Prior to entering military service Lim left his agency Yedang Entertainment.
2013–present: New agency and comeback After his military discharge he moved to
Blossom Entertainment. In 2013, he made his acting comeback in the lead role as a devoted brother in 2013 SBS daily drama
Ugly Alert, followed by a villain role in the 2014 film
The Con Artists as well as supporting roles in historical drama
Shine or Go Crazy and romantic comedy series
Oh My Ghost in 2015, romance melodrama
Uncontrollably Fond in 2016, and fantasy romance series
The Bride of Habaek in 2017. He acted as a Japanese prosecutor Fukuda in 2019
MBC's period spy drama,
Different Dreams. In June 2024, Lim signed with new agency FL Ent. ==Filmography==