Im Siwan ZE:A Dorm Hardships Revealed: How 10 Members Lived in One Room

Even for a top-tier actor like Im Siwan, the road to stardom was paved with physical and mental exhaustion. In a recent episode of the YouTube talk show Salon Drip 2, the former ZE:A member shared the grueling reality of his early idol days, describing a living situation that many would find unbearable.

A Real-Life Game of Human Tetris

Im Siwan described the group's early dormitory life as a literal game of Tetris. During their trainee and early debut years, a staggering 10 members had to share a single room. "We'd be stacked like this," he recalled, explaining that members often stepped on each other while trying to navigate the cramped space late at night.

The entire house was reportedly the size of a standard filming studio, with the actual bedroom taking up only half of that area. This full house setup lasted for at least one year, pushing the members to their limits of patience and endurance.

The Endless Cycle of Debut Struggles

Debut didn't bring immediate relief. Im Siwan confessed that this was the most discouraging time of his life. He often returned to the dorm after late-night schedules only to hear the first member's alarm going off. "That meant I had to get out soon too," he said, reflecting on the psychological toll of never having a moment of true rest or privacy.