Park Bo-gum's Hidden Past: Actor Almost Became K-Pop Idol Singer-Songwriter
Park Bo-gum revealed he auditioned to become a singer-songwriter before acting, sharing his musical journey during Reply 1988's 10th anniversary reunion special.
The beloved Korean actor opened up about his surprising career path during the December 26 broadcast of tvN's "Reply 1988 10th Anniversary Special." While reuniting with his co-stars at a Gangwon Province retreat, Park Bo-gum shared that his original dream was performing music, not acting.
Musical Talents Surprise Cast Members
During the reunion trip, Park Bo-gum handled song selection and performed throughout the special. Co-star Ra Mi-ran marveled at the cast's vocal abilities, while Lee Dong-hwi specifically praised Park Bo-gum's piano and singing skills.
When asked how he entered entertainment, the 32-year-old actor dropped a bombshell: "I originally dreamed of becoming a singer-songwriter. I filmed myself playing piano and singing, then sent those videos to entertainment agencies for auditions."
Major K-Pop Agencies Wanted Him
Park Bo-gum's audition tapes caught attention from South Korea's biggest entertainment companies. According to his 2016 interview on "2 Days & 1 Night," he received callbacks from SM Entertainment, YG Entertainment, and JYP Entertainment-the industry's "Big Three" agencies known for producing K-pop superstars.
However, talent agents suggested acting suited him better than singing. He signed with SidusHQ (under actor Cha Tae-hyun's management) and debuted in the 2011 film "Blind" at age 18.
"They said I was better suited for acting than singing," Park Bo-gum explained during the reunion. "Now I'm grateful-I'm doing both and living my dream."
From Choi Taek to Hallyu Superstar
Park Bo-gum played genius baduk player Choi Taek in "Reply 1988," which premiered in November 2015 when he was 22. The series became a cultural phenomenon, achieving an 18.8% viewership rating and becoming the highest-rated Korean cable drama of its time.
His career skyrocketed with leading roles in "Love in the Moonlight" (2016), "Encounter" (2018-2019), and "Record of Youth" (2020). In 2025, he starred in both "When Life Gives You Tangerines" and "Good Boy," with industry observers calling it "The Year of Park Bo-gum."
He's now the youngest actor to win Gallup Korea's Television Actor of the Year twice (2016 and 2025) and the first to top Forbes Korea's Power Celebrity list.
Musical Dream Fulfilled Alongside Acting
Park Bo-gum never abandoned music. He debuted as a recording artist with "Let's Go See the Stars" in October 2018, followed by Japanese single "Bloomin'" in March 2019 and album "Blue Bird" in March 2020.
He co-hosted KBS's "Music Bank" from May 2015 to June 2016, showcasing his vocal talents weekly. More recently, he hosted "The Seasons: Park Bo-gum's Cantabile" from March to August 2025, earning the Best Entertainer Award at the 52nd Korea Broadcasting Prizes.
For "Reply 1988's" 10th anniversary, Park Bo-gum recorded a solo OST released December 19, with additional cast recordings following December 26.
Reply 1988 Reunion Details
The three-episode anniversary special premiered December 19, 2025 on tvN, airing Fridays at 8:40 PM KST. Episodes stream on Channel Fullmoon's YouTube with English subtitles.
During the reunion, Lee Dong-hwi surprised everyone by announcing he'd turned 40 years old, while Park Bo-gum reflected on being 32-reminding everyone they were 28 and 22 respectively when the drama first aired.
The cast wore 1980s-inspired outfits reminiscent of their characters, creating nostalgia for the series that helped usher in Korea's cable television era and popularized K-dramas internationally.
