Netflix’s latest K-Drama series, When Life Gives You Tangerines, has captured audiences with its heartfelt story and the chemistry between its leads, Park Bo Gum and IU. However, a recent revelation from director Kim Won Seok about altering Park Bo Gum’s appearance for his role has ignited a heated controversy, drawing attention to deeper issues of beauty standards in the Korean entertainment industry.
What Sparked the Controversy?
In an interview, director Kim Won Seok explained that Park Bo Gum’s striking good looks posed a challenge for his portrayal of Yang Gwan Sik, a rugged fisherman from Jeju Island. To align his appearance with the character’s tough, sun-weathered lifestyle, the production team took deliberate steps to make him look “less attractive.” These efforts included tanning his skin with dark foundation and encouraging him to gain weight.
“For this project, the makeup team applied dark foundation all over my body, from my face to my toes. They worked hard to darken any visible skin to create the look of someone who had lived in Jeju for a long time and had been tanned by the sun. (…) I also gained a lot of weight for the role. When I watched the drama, I thought I looked more solid than I expected, though my face still seemed slim. I gained about 4-5 kg.” — Park Bo Gum
While Park Bo Gum embraced these changes to fully embody his character, the director’s comments and the methods used have stirred significant backlash among fans and netizens alike.
Fan Reactions: Korean vs. International Perspectives
Korean Netizens: Many Korean fans found the director’s efforts puzzling and unnecessary. They pointed out that Yang Gwan Sik is not meant to be an unattractive character but rather a strong-willed, handsome islander. The attempts to downplay Park Bo Gum’s looks were seen as both futile and misguided, given his widely adored visuals.
“But Gwan Sik is just a stubborn, iron-willed island guy, not an ugly character. Why put in such pointless effort? LOL.”
“Looking rustic is one thing, but making him look unattractive? That’s a lifelong mission impossible. LOL.”
“Even Bo Gum has something he can’t achieve… It’s nice to see his human side.”
International Netizens: Fans outside Korea raised concerns about the implications of the director’s approach. They criticized the suggestion that tanned skin and weight gain equate to being less attractive, arguing that it reinforces harmful and narrow beauty standards prevalent in the Korean entertainment industry.
The Bigger Picture: Beauty Standards in the Spotlight
This controversy has fueled a broader discussion about the rigid beauty ideals that dominate the Korean entertainment industry. Pale skin and slim figures are often celebrated, while tanned skin and fuller body types are frequently stigmatized. The director’s decision to alter Park Bo Gum’s appearance has been seen by some as perpetuating these problematic norms, prompting calls for more diverse and inclusive representations of beauty in K-Dramas and beyond.
Despite the changes, Park Bo Gum’s performance has been widely praised, and many fans agree that his natural charm shines through regardless of the production team’s efforts. The incident has highlighted the pressure actors face to conform to industry expectations, as well as the resilience required to navigate such scrutiny./se
The uproar over the director’s attempt to make Park Bo Gum “less attractive” in When Life Gives You Tangerines has turned a spotlight on the ongoing debate about beauty standards in Korean entertainment. While the series continues to win hearts with its storytelling and stellar cast, this controversy serves as a reminder of the complex relationship between appearance, identity, and art. Park Bo Gum remains a beloved figure, proving that true appeal goes beyond superficial changes.
For the latest updates on When Life Gives You Tangerines and Park Bo Gum, stay tuned to entertainment news outlets and join the conversation about beauty, talent, and creativity in K-Dramas.
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