“When Life Gives You Tangerines” Provokes Outrage for Portraying Park Bo Gum as “Less Attractive”

Park Bo Gum: The Nation’s Husband and Controversial Character Transformation

Recently, actor Park Bo Gum has affectionately earned the title of the “Nation’s Husband”from netizens throughout Asia. This phrase highlights his remarkable performance in the drama “When Life Gives You Tangerines, ” where he stars alongside popular artist IU. Portraying Gwan Sik, a man whose steadfast love for Ae Soon endures from childhood well into old age, Bo Gum’s nuanced representation has undoubtedly captivated audiences. His character’s subtlety and selfless affection resonate deeply, creating a strong emotional connection that has attracted numerous fans.

Park Bo Gum in When Life Gives You Tangerines

Controversy Surrounding Gwan Sik’s Appearance

However, a recent comment from the drama’s director, Kim Won Seok, has ignited a lively discussion. During an interview with Conrad Seoul, Director Kim shared insights into the creative process behind Gwan Sik’s character. He notably remarked that the team faced challenges due to Park Bo Gum’s striking good looks, stating that they aimed to make him appear “less attractive.”This controversial remark has sparked backlash, with many criticizing the notion that Bo Gum’s appearance was a hindrance in portraying his role.

In the quest to align Bo Gum’s appearance with the character’s background, the production team implemented changes such as tanning his skin and encouraging weight gain. Park Bo Gum himself discussed this transformation, explaining, “For this project, the makeup team applied dark foundation all over my body, from head to toe… I gained around 4-5 kilograms.” He expressed surprise at his appearance, feeling that while he appeared more solid, his face still retained a slim look.

Reactions from Korean Netizens

The Korean online community responded sharply to Director Kim’s claims. Many users argued against the assertion that Bo Gum’s looks constituted an obstacle for his performance. In fact, the character of Gwan Sik is described in the script as “tall and handsome, ”while Ae Soon is characterized as “short and feisty.”Thus, efforts to downplay his attractiveness seemed unnecessary. Moreover, despite the alterations made, Park Bo Gum still appeared strikingly handsome on screen with his sun-kissed skin.

Global Perspectives on Beauty Standards

International audiences have voiced even stronger criticism of the production’s choices. Across social media platforms, particularly X (formerly known as Twitter), users quoted Park Bo Gum’s reflections on his altered appearance, raising questions about Korean beauty standards. A popular post voiced the sentiment, “Korea really has the weirdest beauty standards. Is being tan and not skinny considered unattractive?”