Park Bo-gum poses for a picture before an interview at a Seoul cafe on Thursday. (Yoon Byung-chan/The Kpop Herald)

tvN “Reply 1988” star Park Bogum sat down with the Kpop Herald on Feb. 4 to talk about his life as an actor and a 22-year-old. Below is a transcript of his hour-long interview, filled with questions asked by the Kpop Herald readers in advance via email.


Q: What kind of role or genre would you want to play in the future? Maybe a period drama?
(Asked by: Irene Natania, Faajae, Ida May, Anne Susano, Kenna Gadong, Arsi Agnitasari, Elga Ribka, Han Im, Saranya Pong)

A: I would like to try an action or period drama. More specifically, it’d be fun to play a doctor or a young man living in the countryside. Most of all, I want to play a role in a TV series or film depicting teenage love.


Q: What is going to be your next film or TV series? Have you decided yet?
(Asked by: Kenna Gadong, Yuan Xi Ling)

A: It would be a lie to say I have no pressure at all in choosing the next project. But what I know for sure is that I’ll be doing my best in all the work I do. Since my debut in 2011, I’ve thought that every TV series or film I’m starring in is the biggest work of my life. I know I just have to be hard-working and focused on what I do, as I have done in the past five years. The CEO and managers of my agency will do a good job in choosing a character that suits me the most.

Q: What was your childhood dream? And why did you decide to become an actor?
(Asked by: Henda Kim, Kala Hila)

A: When young, I had many dreams, including steward, Korean language teacher and Pianist. But for some reason, I knew that I was going to have a broadcasting-related job. I enjoy singing and dancing, so my childhood dream was to become a singer-songwriter who touches people’s hearts with the songs and lyrics I wrote. In high school, I videotaped myself singing and sent the file to my current agency. The management watched it and suggested that starting my career in acting would help me gain wider experience, later releasing albums and joining musicals.

Q: How would you like to be recognized 10 or 20 years later?
(Asked by the Korea Herald)

A: I don’t know till when I’ll be able to keep acting. There’s a time for everything, so I’ll try my best until I can’t. I want people to see me as an actor they want to work with, a person with warm heart and who can spread positive energy. It would be nice to get a reputation for good acting too.

Q: Any actresses you would like to work with in the future?
(Asked by Saranya Pong, Sashi Ani, Elga Ribka, Aryska Aminah, Marichell Banagan)

A: I’m in no position to choose a partner (laughing). Oh! That reminds me I’d like to act together with Yeo Jin-goo. He’s younger than me but a senior actor. He knows how to act, analyze the script and express feelings. It’s very admirable. I learned from my past TV series “Wonderful Mama” that you have to look into the other person’s eyes when acting and it’s an awesome feeling. I wonder what it’s like to communicate like that when acting with Yeo.

Q: You've gained lots of Thai fans thanks to "Reply 1988." Any plans to go there or learn the language?

A: I heard it's very difficult to learn Thai. I'm very thankful and glad to find out that many Thai fans are supporting me. I'd be happy to be anywhere that needs me.

Q: How do you manage your stress or ill comments online?
(Asked by Ana Vo, Anne Susano, Joyce Ann San Pedro, Yuan Xi Ling)

Q: How do you manage your stress or ill comments online?
(Asked by Ana Vo, Anne Susano, Joyce Ann San Pedro, Yuan Xi Ling)

I eat, sleep and talk a lot with people. I think simple and forget easy when stressed. I try to think positive, which helps me get less stressed than I should be.
By Son Ji-hyoung (monicasuk@heraldcorp.com, json@heraldcorp.com)