Rapper Swings, whose real name is Moon Ji-hoon, has revealed that he was teased for trying his hand at acting. After making his acting debut in the film Tazza, he is now taking on a historical drama, signaling another transformation in his career.
Swings will play Nam Hwi, a royal bodyguard, in the short-form drama Gwang-an: The Crown Prince’s Woman, which will premiere on Lezhin Snack on the 22nd.
Gwang-an tells the story of Crown Prince Lee Hyun, nicknamed “Gwang-an,” or “Mad Eyes,” and Eun-woo, an assassin who targets him. In this fantasy historical drama, the crown prince and the assassin, who disguises herself as a palace maid, begin a fake romance that gradually turns into genuine affection as they attempt to defy their predetermined fate.
Actor Sung Joon will play Crown Prince Lee Hyun, while singer and actress Chuu will portray the assassin Eun-woo. Swings will play Nam Hwi, a former monk who has abandoned his vows to become the crown prince’s bodyguard and only friend. He is expected to show a new side of himself through the character’s playful demeanor and unwavering loyalty to the prince.
Ahead of the drama’s release, Swings has been building anticipation by sharing stills of himself in historical costume on Instagram. His new look has also drawn attention on social media and online communities.
Swings has established a distinctive presence in the hip-hop scene as a rapper and producer who leads a hip-hop label. Since 2024, he has regularly documented his acting journey through his own content, including enrolling in an acting academy to study the craft.
Last month, he made his formal acting debut as Abraham in the film Tazza: Song of Belzebub. His character is a gang member who works under contract killer Jo Joong-hwan, played by Yoon Kyung-ho, serving as his right-hand man and handling various tasks.
Swings’ transformation into an actor in his debut film attracted considerable attention. On his YouTube channel, “Egen Man Swings,” he recently recalled how people reacted when he first announced that he was going to try acting. “I got made fun of a lot, and people are still making fun of me,” he said. He added that the film had only been released a few days earlier, but he was already happy with the positive response. “I’ll continue to live with humility,” he said.
In an appearance on the YouTube channel “Hongssun TV,” Swings explained why he decided to pursue acting. “I’d always wanted to act someday, deep down. I just found the courage to do it later in life,” he said. “We’re living in an era when people can live to 100. I’m only 41 now, so I still have about 60 years ahead of me. Acting is something I can continue doing even when I’m older.”
Swings is expanding beyond acting into film planning and production. In a recent YouTube appearance, he discussed Like Water, a film he wrote and developed. “It’s a story about the conflicts that arise when someone who was a fairly successful rapper starts from the bottom as an actor and tries to work their way up,” he said. He added that he had developed the overall storyline himself, written about 30% of the script, and taken on responsibilities for casting, investment and the lead role.
Interest is growing in Swings’ latest career moves as he expands from rapper and producer to actor and, now, filmmaker.