The Shocking Reason a Foreign Star, Who Rose to Fame in Korea After Falling in Love with Taekwondo, Was Deported

Foreigners appearing on Korean TV are now a common sight, but in the early 2000s, such appearances were rare. In 1999, Bruno Luciano Giovanni Bruni, a Taekwondo enthusiast from Germany, unexpectedly rose to fame in Korea. Born in Italy in 1978 and raised in Germany, Bruno initially came to Korea in 1995 for a month-long Taekwondo training program. His passion for the martial art led him to stay longer, enrolling at Ewha Womans University in 1997 to study international economics.

Bruno became the first foreigner to join Korea’s national Taekwondo demonstration team, which brought him some recognition. However, his true stardom began after a chance appearance on a TV variety show in 1999. The show’s success earned him the nickname “Taekwondo Boy,” and his fluent Korean, striking looks, and genuine love for Taekwondo and Korea endeared him to audiences. He quickly became a rising star, appearing in variety shows, commercials, and acting roles.

In 2002, at the height of his popularity, Bruno was deported due to visa issues. His entertainment activities had unknowingly violated immigration laws when his work visa expired. Bruno expressed regret for not handling the legal processes properly and returned to Germany, where local media spotlighted him as “The German Boy Who Became Famous in Korea.”

Although he resolved his visa issues and briefly returned to Korea, Bruno soon left again and remained away for 16 years. In 2019, he revealed the painful reasons for his long absence, including betrayal by his agency and acquaintances in the entertainment industry. Contracts written in Korean had been fake, leaving the young Bruno disillusioned and deeply hurt.

Despite this, Bruno pursued acting in Germany and even attempted a Hollywood career, appearing in “Lost” and “Criminal Minds.” However, his Hollywood dreams faltered, and he had to work part-time at a Japanese restaurant to make ends meet. Feeling embarrassed when recognized by Korean patrons, Bruno later returned to Germany and opened a successful Korean fusion restaurant in Berlin, serving dishes like bibimbap and kimchi burgers.

Although the wounds from his early career kept him from returning to Korea for years, Bruno never lost his affection for the country. In 2019, he returned through a variety show, much to the delight of fans. With a youthful appearance and improved Korean skills, Bruno is now pursuing his second act in Korea, balancing acting and variety show appearances. Fans are hopeful this marks a new chapter for the beloved “Taekwondo Boy.”