Kim bum facts

Kim bum facts

• Kim Sang-bum was born on July 7, 1989 in Seoul, South Korea to Jerry and Min-ho Bum. 
• He is the eldest of three siblings. He has a brother and sister with whom he was brought up in Seoul. 
• He also lived in Australia with his family for awhile.

  
• He was a good soccer player captained of his school team, for which he played in striker position. 
• While his mother was proud of his excellence in sports, his father wanted him to concentrate on his studies.
•  He was influenced by his cousin, Jini, who grew up to become a South Korean singer.

  
• He did well in his studies in high school and wanted to become an actor when he grew up. 
• In order to achieve his dream he joined Cung-ang University, from where he majored in Film and Theatre.
•  During his college days he participated in the university cultural programmes to get first had experience of the stage.

  
• While he was still studying, he participated in the ‘Survival Star Audition’ and came 8th out of over 100 participants.
•  However, since he was underage, he was not allowed to complete the competition. 
• Nonetheless, the exposure gave him rich experience and contacts in show business.

  
• Social media soon caught up with him giving both positive and negative reviews. 
• This is something that Kim soon learnt to live with, despite his mother getting upset at times.
• He made his debut in the family comedy sitcom titled ‘High Kick’ in 2008 with a minor role. 

  
• Later that year, he gave an award-winning performance in the television serial ‘East of Eden’ which was aired on MBC network as an anniversary special.
• He went on to act in the serial ‘Boys Over Flowers’, based on the Japanese serial with the same name which made him a house hold name in South Korea.
•  His supporting role in ‘Padam Padam: The Sound of His Heartbeats’ received positive reviews and further increased his popularity.

  
• In June 2012, he released his first studio album titled ‘Hometown’ and performed live at the Stellar Ball in Tokyo, Japan.
•  Besides his overseas musical performance, he also starred in the Chinese film by the name of ‘Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon’ directed by Tsui Hark that proved to be a super hit at the Chinese box office.
• He appeared in his first television historical drama titled ‘Goddess of Fire’ based on a 16th century potter and porcelain artist of the Joseon Dynasty. 

  
• His Chinese television debut came next with his role in ‘V Love’ which is a Chinese version of ‘Gossip Girls’. 
• His other Chinese movies are ‘Lovers & Movies’ and ‘The Beloved’.
• As his popularity grew his fan following spread from Korea to the rest of the Asian region.

  
• Kim matured into a versatile actor with his appearance in the thriller series ‘Hidden Identity’ on tvN and the role of a villain in the crime thriller ‘Mrs Cop 2’ in 2015. 
• His latest release in Korean cinema is the comedy-mystery movie called ‘Detective K’. 
• From being a youth icon he has gone on to become a star that is popular among all ages.

  
• As his celebrity status grew he went on to endorse a number of brands including Samsung Anycall Bodyguard, LG Telecom: Teenring, Hanbull Cosmetics and Maxim Coffee. 
• He is active on social media and has a large following of fans who are eagerly awaiting his next release.

  
• Kim is fond of soccer, baseball and kendo. Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo is his favourite sports star.
• He plays the saxophone as a hobby and even played the instrument for one of the scenes in ‘Boys Over Flowers’.