For years, the name Im Sung-han has been synonymous with bold storytelling and a touch of mystique in the world of Korean drama. Yet on April 17, 2026, fans and industry insiders alike tuned in for a rare event: a candid phone interview with the elusive writer, broadcast live on the YouTube channel 'Eom Eun-hyang.' While Im’s face remained out of view—true to her enigmatic reputation—her voice and thoughts resonated directly with the public for the first time in a long while, offering insights into her creative process, personal habits, and the small details that have made her dramas so memorable.
The interview itself was the subject of much anticipation and even some confusion. As reported by Sports Hankook, speculation swirled about whether Im Sung-han would finally reveal her face on camera. Eom Eun-hyang, the channel’s host, was quick to clarify: “I never said Im Sung-han would appear on camera. It was a phone interview.” She added, “Media outlets reported it as an appearance, but I never made such a promise.” That didn’t stop the curiosity, however. Given Im’s famously rare media exposure, many viewers wondered if the person on the line was truly the legendary writer.
To clear up any doubts, Eom prepared a test. She referenced a scene involving jujube from Im’s 1998 MBC drama Look Back and Again. Im’s response was characteristically honest: “I don’t know. Once a drama ends, I forget everything.” According to Sports Hankook, this straightforward answer helped assure viewers that the real Im Sung-han was indeed on the other end of the line.
But why did Im Sung-han choose Eom Eun-hyang’s channel for this rare conversation? Im explained, “People around me kept asking if I knew about Eom Eun-hyang’s YouTube channel because my dramas appeared there a lot. I checked it out and saw she does everything by herself. I know how hard that is, so I felt drawn to reach out.” As reported by Kyunghyang, Im’s words revealed a sense of camaraderie and empathy for creators who, like herself, often work alone behind the scenes.
One of the most talked-about topics was the recurring appearance of ‘miljeonbyeong’—a thin Korean pancake—in Im’s dramas. It’s become something of an inside joke among fans, and Im addressed it with her trademark humor. “I’m sorry for how often miljeonbyeong shows up,” she laughed. She went on to explain the origin of this motif: “When I was seven, I saw a woman making miljeonbyeong at my mother’s friend’s house. My mother mentioned the recipe was different, and that memory stuck with me. That’s why similar scenes keep appearing.” She even shared a bit of culinary wisdom: “Miljeonbyeong should be made thin, and for children, you add eggs—the recipe changes.” Her attention to such details, as Kyunghyang noted, is part of what makes her storytelling so distinctive.
Interestingly, before the interview began, Eom Eun-hyang herself made miljeonbyeong and tasted it on camera. Im, ever the observant critic, commented, “She doesn’t seem to cook much,” adding a dash of honesty to the exchange. The moment was lighthearted, but it also underscored Im’s penchant for authenticity—both in her scripts and her personal interactions.
The conversation soon turned to Im Sung-han’s approach to health and self-care. “If I feel something is wrong with my body, I immediately change my diet,” she shared. “There have been times when changing my meals improved my symptoms.” She emphasized, “If you keep good eating habits, you can maintain your health.” This practical advice, as reported by Kyunghyang, reflected the same meticulousness that characterizes her writing.
Im also took the opportunity to address her unique writing style, often dubbed ‘Im Sung-han style’ by fans and critics. She recounted, “I once asked friends if what I said sounded strange. They told me it did, and that it seemed more like written language than spoken.” She recalled an early critique from a KBS actor who remarked, “You use too much literary language. It’s not conversational.” Far from being discouraged, Im explained, “I’m a proud person, so after hearing that, I started observing how people actually talk. I noticed people use inversion and nominalization a lot.” Ultimately, she concluded that her dialogue, while stylized, is rooted in real speech patterns—just seen through her unique lens.
Of course, not everyone was satisfied with the lack of a visual reveal. Im addressed the disappointment directly: “A lot of people were upset that my face wasn’t shown, but my old photos are already out there. I look the same as I did before. Don’t be too disappointed.” Her response, as Sports Hankook observed, was both reassuring and tinged with her signature wit.
For those less familiar with her body of work, Im Sung-han is the creative force behind some of Korea’s most memorable dramas, including Mermaid Lady, Oh My Sky, and Apgujeong Midnight Sun. After announcing her retirement, she surprised fans by returning under the pen name ‘Phoebe’ with Marriage Lyrics Divorce Composition, and she is currently captivating audiences once again as the writer of TV Chosun’s weekend drama Doctor Shin. According to Kyunghyang and Sports Hankook, her latest work continues to draw attention for its strong plots, distinctive dialogue, and unpredictable storylines.
Im’s career has been marked by both acclaim and controversy, but her influence on the Korean drama landscape is undeniable. As she continues to shape stories that resonate with viewers, her rare public appearances—whether by phone or otherwise—remain a source of fascination. For now, fans will have to settle for her voice and words, which, if anything, only add to the legend.
Im Sung-han’s decision to step into the limelight, even briefly and on her own terms, offered a rare glimpse into the mind of a writer who has long preferred to let her work speak for itself. And for her many admirers, that glimpse was well worth the wait.