The Many Faces of Park Bo-gum: From 'Good Boy' to 'When Life Gives You Tangerines'

Park Bo-gum is back and he’s taking on the role of Yoon Dong-joo, a former gold medalist boxer, in the K-drama Good Boy. Despite the wholesome title, the drama packs quite a punch. The series follows South Korea’s "Olympic Avengers" — a special task force made up of athletes turned civil servants.

Known as a powerhouse actor, Bo-gum has a chameleon-like ability to transform into any character. Whether he's a charming crown prince in Love in the Moonlight or the first human clone in Seobok, Bo-gum knows how to deliver a compelling performance. Let’s get to know Park Bo-gum's new role in Good Boy and five other standout performances that highlight his acting versatility.

Park Bo-gum as Yoon Dong-joo in Good Boy

Park Bo-gum and the cast of ‘Good Boy’ after shooting an action scene. (Photo from: @bogummy)

Park Bo-gum has long been known for playing characters who radiate warmth, sincerity, and quiet strength — he even earned the nickname “Nation’s Man of Good Influence”. But don’t expect him to play another quiet golden boy in this drama.

In Good Boy, Bo-gum portrays the complexities of Yoon Dong-joo with striking emotional depth, revealing the toll of a life shaped by constant bruises, both physical and emotional. He also strikes a balance between drama and comedy, especially whenever Dong-joo is with his first and last love, Ji Han-na (played by Kim So-hyun).

You can stream Good Boy on Prime Video.

Yang Gwan-sik in When Life Gives You Tangerines

Gwan-sik (Park Bo-gum) comforting Ae-sun (IU) in ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’. (Photo from: @netflixkr)

Gwan-sik is a devoted man who loves and supports IU's character, Ae-sun, unconditionally. He steps in for his wife at the market, selling vegetables when her shyness prevents her from doing so. Gwan-sik also ensures his children receive the best portions at every meal. 

Bo-gum played the role with so much depth and emotion, especially when Gwan-sik faced the challenges of a fisherman's life without ever complaining, prioritising the happiness of his loved ones above all else.

You can stream When Life Gives You Tangerines on Netflix.

Crown Prince Lee Yeong in Love in the Moonlight

In this historical drama, Bo-gum played the flirty, layered prince who hides his loneliness behind charm and cheeky banter. His bromances, his heartbreak, and his slow-burn love story with a cross-dressing court eunuch? Iconic. He balanced comedy, political tension, and quiet vulnerability like a royal pro.

You can stream Love in the Moonlight on Viu.

Choi Taek in Reply 1988

Park Bo-gum as Taek, with Deok-sun played by Hye-ri in ‘Reply 1988’. (Photo from: tvN)

Shy, slow-talking, and a genius Go player, Choi Taek wasn’t your typical K-drama lead, but that’s exactly why we loved him. Bo-gum nailed the quiet genius vibe and turned what could’ve been a sleepy character into the show’s emotional anchor. You can’t help but root for him as you watch him fall in love, struggle with grief, and grow into adulthood.

You can stream Reply 1988 on Netflix and Viu.

Seo Bok in Seobok

Being the first human clone isn’t easy, but Bo-gum was able to portray a range of emotions in an almost two-hour movie. Seo Bok is both childlike and ancient, curious and jaded. Bo-gum portrayed his awakening to human emotion and mortality with haunting precision. It’s sci-fi, but the soul of it was painfully human.

You can buy or rent Seobok on YouTube Movies.

Park Tae-joo in Wonderland

Park Bo-gum as Tae-joo, Bae Suzy's boyfriend in ‘Wonderland’. (Photo from: @bogummy)

Park Bo-gum doesn’t just play characters, he becomes them. So, it's impressive to see him play two versions of the same character in Wonderland. He plays Park Tae-joo: the perfect AI boyfriend and the real Tae-joo, who is struggling with his recovery after years in a coma. Bo-gum’s performance toggles between soft, digital mimicry and flashes of real human warmth, forcing us to confront how we grieve and remember. It’s equal parts eerie and tender.

You can stream Wonderland on Netflix.

Which is your favourite role? What genre should Park Bo-gum tackle next? Let us know!

(Cover photos from: @bogummy and @jtbcdrama)

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