Table of contents
About
Park Bo-gum is a Korean actor under THEBLACKLABEL. His family currently consists of his father, older sister (born in 1983), and older brother (born in 1984). His mother passed away in 2003, when he was in the 4th grade of elementary school.
Biography
- Name: Park Bo-gum
- Date of Birth: June 16th, 1993
- Place of Birth: Seoul, South Korea
- Nationality: Korean
- Height: 182 cm (6’0’’)
- Religion: Protestant
- Instagram: @bogummy
Park Bo-gum’s Net Worth
Back in 2021, Park Bo-gum’s net worth was reported to be about 11 million USD. However, as the actor has continued to expand his career scope and improve his popularity in the past 4 years, this number is expected to have at least doubled by 2025.
Park Bo-gum’s Facts
His name “Bo-gum” means “precious sword”. He started learning to play the piano at the age of five and was a pianist and choir member at church. Initially, he aspired to be a singer-songwriter and even sent audition videos of himself singing and playing the piano to various entertainment agencies. However, he was advised to pursue acting instead.
He graduated from Shinmok High School and later enrolled at Myongji University’s Film and Musical Studies Department, where he remained an active student despite his rising acting career. In 2015, he represented Myongji University’s cultural overseas exchange program, traveling to England, France, Italy, and Switzerland. He graduated from Myongji University on February 21, 2018, completing all eight semesters without taking a leave of absence. In his final semester, he graduated as the top student in his department.
On January 30, 2023, he signed with THEBLACKLABEL after leaving Blossom Entertainment in December 2022. His official fan club, “Bo-gum Welfare” (Bogum Welfare), was established on August 8, 2011.
Park Bo-gum’s ideal type is someone who he can be comfortable with like a friend and takes care of him well like a mom. He is often praised by colleagues and industry professionals for his kind and considerate personality. Numerous actors and crew members have spoken highly of his respectful and warm demeanor.
Despite rising fame, Park Bo-gum has remained humble and approachable, frequently engaging with fans and maintaining a strong work ethic in both acting and personal endeavors.
Park Bo-gum’s Career
Park Bo-gum’s Music Releases
Alongside his acting career, Park Bo-gum also promoted as singer, and even released a studio album titled “blue bird” in 2020. He also participated in various singles and OSTs, including “Let’s Go See The Stars”, “My Person”, “Dear My Friend”, and “All My Love”. Park Bo-gum even designed a dedicated lightstick for his fandom, called the “Fore-Bong” (포레봉).
Park Bo-gum’s Shows & Action Projects
Park Bo-gum made his acting debut in 2011 under Sidus HQ with a supporting role in the thriller film “Blind”. He later moved to Blossom Entertainment, where he appeared in projects like the action-comedy film “Runway Cop” (2012), the period drama “Bridal Mask” (2012), and the weekend drama “Wonderful Mama” (2013), marking his first major role.
In 2014, Park gained recognition for his performances in “Wonderful Days”, where he played the teenage version of Lee Seo-jin’s character, and in “Naeil’s Cantabile”, portraying a prodigy cellist. His performances earned him nominations for Best New Actor at the KBS Drama Awards and APAN Star Awards.
He also appeared in box-office hits “A Hard Day” (2014), which screened at the Cannes Film Festival, and “The Admiral: Roaring Currents” (2014), which became the highest-grossing Korean film at the time.
Park’s hosting stint on “Music Bank” in 2015 alongside Red Velvet’s Irene further solidified his public image, earning him the Best Newcomer Award at the KBS Entertainment Awards. That same year, he received critical acclaim for his chilling portrayal of a psychopathic lawyer in “Hello Monster”, winning Best Supporting Actor and Popularity awards at the KBS Drama Awards. He also starred in “Coin Locker Girl”, which screened at Cannes, and won a Rising Star Award at the MaxMovie Awards.
His career skyrocketed with “Reply 1988” (2015), where he played the quiet genius Go player Choi Taek. The drama became a massive hit, peaking at 18.8% viewership and earning him the nickname “Nation’s Little Brother”. His performance cemented his status as an emerging Hallyu star, winning him accolades such as Best International Artist at the Top Chinese Music Awards and Best Rising Star at the DramaFever Awards.
In 2016, Park Bo-gum starred in “Love in the Moonlight” with Kim Yoo-jung. The historical romance drama peaked at 23.3% ratings and became a cultural phenomenon dubbed “Moonlight Syndrome”. His role as Crown Prince Lee Yeong won him several awards, including the Top Excellence Award at the KBS Drama Awards and a Best Actor nomination at the Baeksang Arts Awards.
After a two-year hiatus, Park returned to the small screen in 2018 with “Encounter”, co-starring Song Hye-kyo. In 2021, Park made his long-awaited return to the big screen, starring in the sci-fi thriller “Seo Bok” as a genetically enhanced human, marking his first film lead role in six years.
Recently, Park Bo-gum stars in Netflix’s “When Life Gives You Tangerines” and is set to appear in JTBC’s “Good Boy” in 2025.
Park Bo-gum’s Controversies
Religious Controversy
Park Bo-gum faced controversy regarding his religious beliefs due to his association with Jesus Centered Church, a group that some Protestant denominations in Korea have classified as a heretical sect. This led to public debate over his faith. However, Park clarified, “I am just a Christian who believes in God.” As of 2023, it has been reported that he has since moved to a different church.
Bankruptcy Case
In 2016, it was revealed that Park had filed for bankruptcy due to a loan his father took out in his name when he was only 15 years old. His father had borrowed 300 million KRW (approx 200,000 USD) from a loan company, with Park as a guarantor. Due to unpaid debts, Park was forced to file for bankruptcy in late 2014. The court accepted his request in March 2015, allowing him to settle the debt through court mediation. After six months, he reached an agreement with creditors, officially resolving his bankruptcy.
Controversial Photoshoot
In March 2016, a pictorial featuring Park for At Style magazine stirred controversy on online forums and social media. The concept, which included oversized knitwear and smudged lipstick, led some netizens to criticize it as evoking a shota complex (a term referring to the sexualization of young boys). While male celebrities had previously done similar artistic shoots, the reaction was divisive, with some arguing that the imagery was inappropriate.
Baseless Dating and Affair Rumors
Park Bo-gum has frequently been the subject of unfounded dating rumors.
- 2017: A baseless rumor spread online that Park was secretly dating actress Jang Na-ra, with claims that they were preparing for marriage. The speculation had no factual basis, and both actors strongly denied it. Jang Na-ra even personally addressed the rumor on social media, calling it completely false.
- 2019: Following the highly publicized divorce of Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo, false rumors surfaced suggesting Park Bo-gum was romantically involved with Song Hye-kyo. The speculation arose simply because they had co-starred in the drama Encounter. Park’s agency Blossom Entertainment swiftly denied the rumors, calling them “completely groundless and malicious,” and even warned of legal action against those spreading false information.
Malicious Messages Towards Park So-dam
In a separate incident, Park Bo-gum was drawn into controversy due to malicious direct messages (DMs) sent to actress Park So-dam. The issue arose when Park So-dam received inappropriate messages from individuals posing as Park Bo-gum. These imposters used fake accounts to send harmful content, leading to misunderstandings among fans and the public. It’s important to note that Park Bo-gum himself was not responsible for these messages; rather, he became an unintended party in the situation due to the actions of impersonators.
