Park Bo-gum’s Versatile Romance: Effortless Chemistry Across All Age Gaps, from Song Hye-kyo to IU

Park Bo-gum continues to captivate audiences with his effortless romantic chemistry, regardless of his co-star’s age. From playing a couple with the same-age IU in the upcoming Netflix series “When Life Gives You Tangerines” to sharing a heartfelt romance with Song Hye-kyo, 12 years his senior, in “Encounter,” and pairing with a younger Suzy in “Wonderland,” his versatility in love stories remains a hot topic.

‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’ with IU

Set to premiere on March 7, “When Life Gives You Tangerines” is a love story between the steadfast and devoted Yang Gwan-sik (played by Park Bo-gum) and the bold, determined Oh Ae-soon (played by IU). Set in 1950s Jeju, the series portrays their lifelong journey through the four seasons.

The released posters featuring Park Bo-gum in a gym uniform and IU in a school uniform exude a youthful and endearing charm, fueling excitement among fans. Even a month before its release, viewers are already expressing their anticipation with comments like, “I fully support this pairing,” “Park Bo-gum and IU together? This is going to be amazing,” and “They already look great together!”

‘Encounter’ with Song Hye-kyo

Park Bo-gum’s on-screen chemistry also drew attention when he starred opposite Song Hye-kyo in “Encounter.” The drama revolved around Cha Soo-hyun (Song Hye-kyo), a woman who has never been able to make her own life choices, and Kim Jin-hyuk (Park Bo-gum), a free-spirited, pure-hearted man. Their love story, set against the backdrop of a political and social divide, moved viewers with its poignant and bittersweet romance. Their first meeting in Cuba, with its scenery, further heightened the drama’s dreamy atmosphere.

‘Wonderland’ with Suzy

In the 2023 film “Wonderland,” Park Bo-gum played opposite Suzy, who is a year younger than him. The sci-fi fantasy film, set in the near future, tells the story of a service that uses AI to recreate deceased loved ones for video calls. Park Bo-gum and Suzy portrayed a long-time couple, with Park Bo-gum playing Tae-joo, a flight attendant who wakes up from a long coma after an accident.

Although “Wonderland” was not a box-office success, the visual chemistry between Park Bo-gum and Suzy became widely discussed. Their on-screen romance was so convincing that fans even speculated about a real-life relationship. Chinese actress Tang Wei, who also starred in the film, remarked, “Park Bo-gum and Suzy are a beautiful couple. Even on Weibo, there are constant posts saying, ‘I hope they really end up together.'” Promotional stills of the two in matching uniforms, exchanging affectionate gazes and linking arms, further fueled the dating rumors.

During filming, Park Bo-gum and Suzy reportedly took many pictures together to immerse themselves in their roles. They even appeared on the music talk show “The Seasons” during promotions, wearing coordinated outfits and performing a duet. Reflecting on their performance, Park Bo-gum and Suzy both admitted, “We looked really good together.”

With each project, Park Bo-gum manages to create heart-fluttering romances, making viewers deeply invested in his on-screen love stories. Whether portraying an intense love or a sweet, youthful romance, his chemistry with co-stars never fails to captivate audiences.