It's only been five years since his debut but Park Bo Gum has already made a name for himself in the Korean entertainment scene. Most recently, we were mesmerized by his acting (and his cuteness, of course) in "Moonlight Drawn by Clouds." However, there's still so much more you should know about this talented actor. Here are some fun facts about Park Bo Gum that will make you like him more:
1. Let's start with the basics. His name, Park Bo Gum means "precious sword." He was born in Seoul on June 16, 1993 (this is a Wednesday and his birthstone is Pearl) and is the youngest of three siblings. Despite his positive character, he had a bitter-sweet life. His mother died when he was in fourth grade.
2. Park Bo Gum initially wanted to be a singer songwriter. He learned how to play piano when he was five. He also sent a video of himself singing and playing the piano to famous talent agencies and got himself some offers. He was also previously a vocal trainee at Sidus HQ. However, he was advised that he would do well in acting and so he changed his career path.
Watch: Park Bo Gum singing while playing the piano
3. The Korean media dubbed him as "National Man of Good Influence" due to his kindness and politeness. There are always reports of his respectable behavior and good manners wherever he goes. He is also very humble of his accomplishments and is often brought to tears during fan meetings. He is very appreciative and thankful to his fans.
4. Park Bo Gum is more down to earth than he looks. He is a Christian and often volunteers to play piano for his church. He also shared that he likes taking subways because it is always punctual. Photos of him on a train have surfaced online, and an employee from his agency also shared how the "Moonlight Drawn by Clouds" actor turned down his offer to hail him a cab only to see him going to the nearest subway. Now you know what to ride if you're in Korea to catch a glimpse of his handsome face.
5. His childhood and pre-debut photos surfaced online! We can't miss this, can we? He was cute and a little chubbier when he was a child but there's almost not much difference with his appearance now and how he looked like when he was in school that I might believe if he says he's a vampire. Plus, he really likes to pout for selfies. He was also a member of swimming varsity team in middle school.
Watch: Park Bo Gum's childhood and pre-debut photo collection
6. Park Bo Gum's debut in the big screen is in the 2011 movie "Blind," playing Kim Ha Neul's younger brother, Min Dong Hyun. This is a crime thriller film and Park Bo Gum's role was a minor one, but you should definitely include this in your watch list.
7. Park Bo Gum looks very much alike with Lee Hyun Woo that they would pass as twins! The two are of same age but Lee Hyun Woo is Park Bo Gum's sunbae in the entertainment industry. The two first met at their university's opening ceremony and have since become good friends. They even talk about each other in some of their interviews.
Watch: Park Bo Gum and Lee Hyun Woo comparison photos
8. Park Bo Gum and Red Velvet's Irene became emcees of Music Bank in 2015 until January 2016. And guess what, he started working for the show on his birthday! "It really looks as if I was destined to appear on the program," he said.
9. Despite his easygoing, bright and positive image, Park Bo Gum has the ability to play a variety of roles. He captured our hearts as an innocent baduk player in "Reply 1988" in 2015 and made our bones chill as a psychopathic serial killer in "Hello Monster" also in 2015.
10. His last two films were big hits. Park Bo Gum played the role of a cheerful guy, Suk Hyun in "Coin Locker Girl" in 2015. The film was screened at the Cannes Film Festival and was a hit in the box office. He also starred in the critically acclaimed "The Admiral: Roaring Currents."
Now the list stops here for now. But if you still can't get enough of Park Bo Gum, you can follow him on Twitter on @bogummy. Happy stalking!
