by Park Bo-Gum stands as one of South Korea’s most beloved and accomplished actors, having captured hearts across generations with his genuine performances and magnetic screen presence.
From his early breakthrough roles to his triumphant return after military service, he has consistently delivered memorable characters that resonate with audiences worldwide.
In 2016, he became the youngest artist ever to be named Actor of the Year by Gallup Korea, and his recent works continue to prove why he remains at the top of his game.
When Life Gives You Tangerines (2025)
Park Bo-Gum’s most recent triumph showcases his matured acting prowess in this period drama where he plays Yang Gwan-Sik opposite IU’s Ae-Sun. Set in the 1950s-60s, the series follows a poor girl who dreams of becoming a poet despite facing multiple setbacks.
When Life Gives You Tangerines won the Best Drama award at the 2025 Baeksang Arts Awards, marking a significant achievement in Park Bo-Gum’s post-military career. With an impressive 9.4 rating, this drama demonstrates his ability to tackle complex period pieces while maintaining the emotional authenticity that has made him a household name.
Good Boy (2025)
Park Bo-gum trades romance for action in ‘Good Boy’, a thrilling new K-drama about ex-Olympians turned rookie cops. Playing Yoon Dong-Ju, an Olympic boxing gold medallist who becomes a police officer, Park Bo-Gum ventures into new territory with this action-packed series. Yoon Dong-Ju is an Olympic boxing gold medallist, but he goes through hardships in his life.
Thanks to his Olympic medallist career, he is able to become a police officer. The series, which had its global premiere in Bangkok and streams on multiple platforms including Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, showcases Park Bo-Gum’s versatility as he takes on physically demanding action sequences while maintaining his signature emotional depth.
Reply 1988 (2015)
The drama that truly launched Park Bo-Gum into stardom remains his most beloved work. Playing Choi Taek, the quiet, genius Go player in this nostalgic coming-of-age series, he delivered a performance that was both understated and deeply moving. With a perfect 9.1 rating, “Reply 1988” became a cultural phenomenon, and Park Bo-Gum’s portrayal of the introverted but passionate Taek won hearts across Asia. His ability to convey complex emotions through subtle expressions and his natural chemistry with the ensemble cast established him as one of Korea’s most promising young actors.
Love in the Moonlight (2016)
His role as Lee Yeong in Love in the Moonlight stands out as his best performance. The K-drama doesn’t have a revolutionary concept as it focuses on forbidden love between a prince and someone with a fake identity, which are both beloved and familiar romance tropes.
Playing the Crown Prince Hyo Myung (Lee Young), Park Bo-Gum brought depth and nuance to what could have been a typical historical romance. With an 8.2 rating, this KBS drama showcased his ability to handle period pieces with grace and authenticity, earning him the Top Excellence Award at the 30th KBS Drama Awards.
Hello Monster (2015)
In this psychological thriller, Park Bo-Gum played Jung Seon-Ho, a brilliant profiler with a mysterious past. The series, which earned an 8.4 rating, demonstrated his range beyond romantic roles, showing his ability to portray complex characters dealing with trauma and family secrets.
His performance as the genius profiler working alongside veteran actors like Seo In-Guk proved his capability to hold his own in ensemble dramas focused on crime and psychology.
Encounter (2018)
Park Bo-Gum’s final drama before military service featured him as Kim Jin-Hyuk, a free-spirited young man who falls in love with an older, divorced politician.
This tvN drama, which earned an 8.1 rating, showcased his maturity as an actor and his ability to portray age-gap romance with sensitivity and authenticity. His chemistry with Song Hye-Kyo and his portrayal of a character who brings joy and spontaneity to a structured life demonstrated his growth as a leading man.
Record of Youth (2020)
His last drama before enlisting, “Record of Youth” featured Park Bo-Gum as Sa Hye-Joon, a struggling model and aspiring actor trying to make it in the entertainment industry. Though the series received mixed reviews with a 7.5 rating, many fans believe Record Of Youth is his best drama ever.
The show also stars Park So Dam and Byeon Woo-seok. People loved how the three were always so supportive of one another and appreciated whatever they did for one another. The Netflix series allowed him to explore themes close to his own experience as a young actor navigating the challenges of fame and success.
Wonderful Mama (2013)
One of Park Bo-Gum’s earliest leading roles came in this family drama where he played Go Young-Joon. Though it earned a modest 7.3 rating, this 48-episode series was crucial in establishing his acting foundations and proving he could carry a long-running drama. The series dealt with family dynamics and personal growth, themes that would become recurring elements in his later, more successful works.
Naeil’s Cantabile (2014)
In this musical comedy-drama, Park Bo-Gum played Lee Yoon-Hoo, a talented pianist, in a supporting role that showcased his musical abilities. The series, which earned a 7.5 rating, was significant in demonstrating his versatility and his real-life musical talents, as he could actually play the piano pieces featured in the drama.
Early Career and Supporting Roles
Park Bo-Gum’s journey began with smaller roles that gradually built his reputation. His guest appearance in “The Bridal Mask” (2012) with an 8.5 rating showed early promise, while his work in various supporting roles throughout 2013-2014 helped him develop his craft and gain recognition within the industry.
Military Service and Return
When Park Bo-Gum enlisted in the Navy in August 2020 as a cultural promotion specialist, fans worried about his return to acting. However, his comeback with “When Life Gives You Tangerines” and “Good Boy” in 2025 has proven that his time in military service only strengthened his resolve and maturity as an actor. His ability to choose diverse, challenging roles upon his return demonstrates his commitment to growth and artistic development.
The Park Bo-Gum Effect
What sets Park Bo-Gum apart is his ability to make every character feel genuine and relatable. Whether he’s playing a Go prodigy, a crown prince, or an Olympic athlete-turned-cop, he brings an authenticity that makes audiences believe in his characters completely. His clean image, combined with his undeniable talent and work ethic, has made him one of the most bankable stars in Korean entertainment.
His choice of projects shows a careful balance between commercial appeal and artistic merit. From the nostalgic warmth of “Reply 1988” to the action-packed excitement of “Good Boy,” he has consistently chosen roles that challenge him while appealing to broad audiences.
Looking Forward
With “When Life Gives You Tangerines” earning critical acclaim and “Good Boy” showing his action capabilities, Park Bo-Gum’s post-military career trajectory looks incredibly promising. His ability to reinvent himself while maintaining the core qualities that made him famous suggests that his best work may still be ahead of him.
Source: https://mydramalist.com/people/4157-park-bo-gum
