Park Bo-gum: 5 things to know about the Korean drama idol who left us with Record of Youth before entering military service
Ahead of the release of Park Bo-gum’s new series Record of Youth, we list 5 reasons the K-drama star is so very lovable – from his nickname on Refer 1988 and what fans call the ‘Park Bo-gum magic’, to the sad story of his childhood
Korean drama fans may be mourning the news that heartthrob Park Bo-gum enlisted for his obligatory military service on August 31 – but he’s leaving them with one new K-drama to enjoy while he is gone. Record of Youth follows three individuals trying to make it in the world of fashion. In anticipation of the pilot episode, which comes out on September 7, here’s a list of five things to love about the 27-year-old actor:
He has many national titles
In Reply 1988, Park played a prodigious Go board game player, Choi Taek, who became the pride of the country in the show, making him Ssangmun-dong street’s most treasured gem. As a result, the gang dubbed him a “national treasure” on screen, but off the cast gave him the nickname “Nation’s Little Brother” and “Nation’s Son-in-Law”.
Why? Because he was the favourite of all the mothers in the hit drama. Park has also been declared the “Nation’s Crown Prince” (on account of his Prince Charming-esque good looks), and the “Nation’s Man of Good Influence” for his kind and polite manner.
His admirers invented the phrases the ‘Park Bo-gum effect’ and ‘Park Bo-gum magic’
In 2016, Park became something of an advertising golden boy. Korean search engine Naver reports that the rise in his brand-reputation rankings led the Korean Corporate Reputation Research Institute to coin the term “Park Bo-gum effect”, citing the actor’s strong ability to increase sales with his fans spanning all ages.
Admirers also introduced the term “Park Bo-gum magic”, referring to the fact that “once people look at Park, they can’t take their eyes off him”, according to Korea Times.