Edited by Seo Hayne
Translated by Kim Hoyeun
After a tragic accident that left him bedridden for a long time, a young man is restored through AI at the request of his lover. In the movie Wonderland, Park Bo Gum, who portrays Tae Joo, raises profound questions in a world where living with AI has become normalized. Following his military discharge, Park Bo Gum has been actively resuming his career and is soon to be featured in JTBC’s Good Boy and Netflix’s When Life Gives You Tangerines. Today, we introduce five signature works of Park Bo Gum.
>> ‘Wonderland’ Park Bo Gum Reflects on Friendship with Byeon Woo Seok and Acting with Suzy
Wonderful Mama (2013)
Wonderful Mama tells the story of Yoon Bok Hee (Bae Jong Ok), a woman who amassed wealth through moneylending, who decides to discipline her irresponsible three children after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Park Bo Gum played the role of Go Young Joon, the flirtatious youngest child who prefers clubbing over attending school. Although Young Joon starts off as a reckless character who gets slapped for habitually two-timing in the first episode, he is also the endearing youngest child in front of his mother. As a newcomer at the time, Park Bo Gum convincingly portrayed this lovable character with a charming and cute visual. Remember this role as one of the few lively characters in his filmography.
Reply 1988 (2015)
The third installment in the Reply series, Reply 1988, revolves around the love and friendship of five friends growing up in the same alley in Ssangmun-dong. Park Bo Gum played the role of Choi Taek, a genius Go player, and shared great chemistry with co-stars Ryu Jun Yeol, Hyeri, Ko Kyung Pyo, and Lee Dong Hwi. With his pure charm and delicate emotional acting, he portrayed Choi Taek, who is inept at everything except Go, catapulting him to fame. Like its predecessors, the series was centered around the mystery of which character would end up as the female lead’s husband, sparking the catchphrase “It’s obviously Taek” among fans rooting for Park Bo Gum and Hyeri.
Love in the Moonlight (2016)
Love in the Moonlight, Park Bo Gum’s first historical drama, is a love story between Crown Prince Lee Young and Hong Ra On, a woman disguised as a eunuch. Park Bo Gum received praise for his portrayal of the seemingly prickly but warm-hearted crown prince, capturing the growth of a monarch. His declaration in episode 5, “I disallow it, she is mine,” became iconic, leading to numerous parodies. His chemistry with Kim Yoo Jung was also well-received, earning them a Best Couple award at the KBS Drama Awards that year. This role elevated Park Bo Gum from a rising star to a top star.
Encounter (2018)
Encounter is a drama about the romance between a woman, born as a politician’s daughter who has never been able to live her life freely, and a young man with a free and pure soul. Starring alongside Song Hye Kyo with locations shot in Cuba, the drama garnered significant attention before its broadcast. While it received some criticism for its clichéd storyline, the chemistry between Song Hye Kyo and Park Bo Gum, along with the beautiful visuals and romantic storyline set in a foreign land, resonated well with viewers. Park Bo Gum expanded his acting spectrum by stably portraying a gentle yet resolute character.
Record of Youth (2020)
Record of Youth follows the lives of young people pursuing their dreams in the entertainment industry. Park Bo Gum took on the role of Sa Hye Jun, an aspiring actor, and worked alongside Park So Dam and Byeon Woo Seok. Perhaps due to his past experiences preparing for auditions as a singer before becoming an actor, Park Bo Gum was able to portray the realities of youth in a relatable way, further advancing his career as an actor. Following the successful completion of Record of Youth, Park Bo Gum enlisted in the navy, leaving fans longing during his hiatus. However, his works continued to be released during this period, and since his discharge, he has been meeting the public with various projects.
Following his recent appearance in Wonderland, Park Bo Gum is set to appear in the variety show My Name is Gabriel and the dramas Good Boy and When Life Gives You Tangerines.
Editor Seo Hayne: I like actors as they faithfully lead through their long running-time. I also like idols who accomplish everything on stage within 3 minutes.
