Aside from the interesting plots that K-dramas never fail to deliver, an additional factor that makes the watching experience worthwhile is the cast. Superb acting skills, good personality, and stunning visuals are some of the traits we commonly see in our favorite actors. One Korean celebrity that ticks off all the boxes is Park Bo Gum.
The 29-year-old debuted in 2011 and since then, he rose to fame and became known for the diverse roles that he has excellently portrayed. His acting prowess bagged him trophies such as the Top Excellence Award during the 30th KBS Drama Awards. He's also the *youngest* actor to have been named Gallup Korea's Actor of the Year. Bo Gum also became the very first to lead the esteemed Forbes Korea's Power Celebrity List. Aside from being an acclaimed Hallyu star, he is also a model and can sing and dance, making him a total package. If you love him, here are some of Park Bo Gum's best K-dramas that you should binge-watch:
Early projects
1. Wonderful Mama (2013)
Who else is in it: Bae Jong Ok, Jeong Yu Mi,Kim Ji Seok
This realistic and touching K-drama circles around a hardworking mother who made her way up from starting as a market merchant to becoming a millionaire. Her life changed immensely when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Soon as she found out, she then reflected on her life and how she will continue raising her three children and prepare them to manage their family business. Bo Gum plays the role of the youngest child who is also a mama's boy, proving how great of an actor he is even in his younger days.
2. Reply 1988 (2015)
Who else is in it: Hyeri, Ryu Jun Yeol, Go Kyung Pyo, Lee Dong Hwi
Majority of K-drama fans can relate if we say that Reply 1998 is one of the best K-dramas that you'll surely recommend to a friend. Bo Gum played the role of Choi Taek who is the most silent one in their friend group but at the same time, he's a genius Baduk player who competes internationally (and of course, we have to mention that Bo Gum *rocked* that chestnut hairstyle that perfectly suits his role). Reply 1988 is a series that made us laugh and cry and it's a nostalgic and inspiring drama that showed a neighborhood that is full of love. It's also full of life lessons relatable to our relationships with our families, friends, and special someone.
3. Hello Monster (2015)
Who else is in it: Seo In Guk, Jang Na Ra, Choi Won Young
Aired seven years ago, Hello Monster is something that you would want to check. The suspense and thrilling turns of events in this K-drama would make you want to go on a binge-watch. Bo Gum delivers a stellar performance as a psychopathic lawyer and made it so believable as if he's not acting at all, especially with his lethal stares. Hello Monster will not only make you appreciate the plot but also allow you to resonate with the characters who have their own stories to tell. Aside from the romantic couple, it also highlighted the brotherly love we loved seeing!
4. Love In The Moonlight (2016)
Who else is in it: Kim Yoo Jung, Jung Jinyoung, Chae Soobin, Kwak Dong Yeon
2016 was definitely a great year for the K-drama world and Love In The Moonlight is a great testament to that. This well-written sageuk (historical drama) sent us back to the Joseon era and it centered on the life of Crown Prince Lee Yeong. He fell in love with his eunuch, Hong Ra On, who secretly disguised herself as a man. Bo Gum delivered a great performance in this series and he even gained the moniker "Nation's Crown Prince." Love In The Moonlight received high ratings during the time it was aired. Before we go to the next one, allow us to just say that this K-drama has a must-listen OST list and one was performed by Bo Gum himself.
5. Encounter (2018)
Who else is in it: Song Hye Kyo, Jang Seung Jo
After portraying a Crown Prince and Baduk player, Bo Gum plays a different role in Encounter as an ordinary young man who is full of kindness and sincerity. The melodramatic feels alongside the impressive cinematography had the viewers tuned in to the series, not to mention that some scenes were filmed in Cuba. With two Hallyu powerhouses cast in one project, Encounter immediately made headlines. The two lead actors had great chemistry, and this is what we exactly expect from artists who are brilliant in their field.
P.S: If you are looking for some noona romance, this one's for you!
6. Record Of Youth (2020)
Who else is in it: Park So Dam, Byeong Woo Seok
Relatively close to his real personality, you can watch Bo Gum as the smart and handsome Sa Hye Jun in Record Of Youth. Bo Gum inspires us once more in this character as a young model who dreams of becoming successful in the industry as an actor. While success is elusive, a dreamer can always make it to the top with persistence and hard work. Record Of Youth depicts the reality of how young dreamers face the real world in pursuit of establishing a career. The simplicity of the series is a plus factor in why it resonates with the viewers more.
If you happen to watch some of these already, you probably understand why Bo Gum became a household name and is receiving so much love from a lot of fans. His filmography cemented his fame and proves why he deserves his current stature in the industry. While we just listed some of his works, one thing we are sure of is that he is one-of-a-kind and we can't wait to see what more he has to offer. And with that, let’s all manifest for more Bogummy K-dramas to arrive soon!
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