Kim Sang-bum (Korean: 김상범; born July 7, 1989), known professionally as Kim Bum (alternatively Kim Beom), is a South Korean actor and singer. He is best known for his television roles as F4 member So Yi-jung in Boys Over Flowers (2009), half-blood gumiho Lee Rang in Tale of the Nine Tailed (2020), and genius student Han Joon-hwi in Law School (2021). Kim reprised his role as Lee Rang in Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938 (2023).
Kim joined the "Survival Star Audition", and was placed 6th out of hundreds of contestants. However, because he was under 20, he could not proceed in the competition. "Survival Star Audition" opened many opportunities for Kim, and he received multiple roles in television series. Kim made his acting debut in the sitcom High Kick!.
2008–2011: Rising popularity
Kim first gained recognition for his scene-stealing role in MBC's anniversary drama East of Eden,[3] winning the Netizen Popularity Award at the Korea Drama Awards.[4] He rose to prominence in 2009 after playing the role of So Yi-jung in the hit drama Boys Over Flowers.[5][6] He achieved further recognition with his supporting role in fantasy melodrama Padam Padam (2011), written by Noh Hee-kyung.[7][8][9][2]
2012–2015: Solo debut and overseas activities
Kim released his first studio album, Hometown, on June 20, 2012.[10] He performed his first solo concert, Kim Beom Japan Live 2012, at the Stellar Ball in Tokyo's Shinagawa Prince Hotel.[11]
In 2014, Kim was cast in his first Chinese television drama V Love, also known as the Chinese version of Gossip Girls.[18] Kim subsequently starred in two Chinese films; romantic comedy Lovers & Movies and suspense film The Beloved.[19][20]
2015–present: Comeback to Korea
Kim made his small-screen comeback in tvN's crime thriller Hidden Identity in 2015.[21][22] He starred in another crime thriller Mrs. Cop 2, and earned praise for his portrayal of a villain.[23]
In 2018, Kim appeared in Detective K: Secret of the Living Dead, the third installment in the comedy-mystery Detective K film series, marking his return to Korean cinemas after four years.[24]
He enlisted in the military in April 2018 and was released in March 2020.
In 2008, he endorsed the KTF Show Show rate plan along with Shim Eun-kyung.[29] In 2009, following his popularity from the drama Boys Over Flowers, he appeared in several commercials. These included ads for the clothing store Spris with Go Ara, for LG U+ Teen Ring with co-actors Lee Min-ho and Koo Hye-sun, for Samsung's Anycall with Kim So-eun, for Nintendo's Mario Kart Wii, for Dongseo food's Maxim Cafe with Seo Woo, for the 'T.I. for Men' clothing brand and for Hanbul Cosmetics' brand shop 'It's Skin'.[30][31][32][33][34] He was also appointed as the ambassador of Kia's 'Forte Koup'.[35]
In 2009, he appeared in a TV commercial in the Philippines for a beverage brand RC Cola alongside Filipino actress Maja Salvador.[36]
In 2010, he endorsed the restaurant 'Demaris' with actress Hwang Jung-eum, the clothing brand 'Edwin' with Miss A, and Bon IF's Bonjuk restaurant with Kim So-eun.[37][38][39]
In February 2012, Kim's agency announced that he was suffering from degenerative arthritis due to the dramatic weight-loss he experienced after training for his role in the JTBC cable drama Padam Padam.[46]
It was revealed on November 1, 2013, that Kim was dating his Goddess of Fire co-star, Moon Geun-young.[49] On May 15, 2014, media outlets reported that they had ended their 7-month-long relationship. Agencies of both actors confirmed the news stating: "They did break up not too long ago but have decided to remain good friends and supportive colleagues".[50][51]
On March 29, 2018, it was confirmed that Kim is in a relationship with actress Oh Yeon-seo.[52][53][54] However, after a few months of dating they were reported to have parted ways.[55][56]
^"[INTERVIEW] Kim Bum (1)". 10Asia. October 29, 2009. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
^Kang Da-yun (July 7, 2022). "이동욱·유연석·김범, 유니버스 합류...프라이빗 소통 시작 [공식]" [Lee Dong-wook, Yoo Yeon-seok, and Kim Beom join the universe... Start Private Communication [Official]] (in Korean). My Daily. Archived from the original on July 7, 2022. Retrieved July 7, 2022 – via Naver.
^Lee, Woo-seong (April 25, 2009). "'꽃남' 김범, 경기도 홍보대사로 위촉" ['Boys Over Flowers' Kim Beom Appointed as Gyeonggi Province Public Relations Ambassador]. Yonhap News (in Korean). Retrieved July 16, 2024.
^Ham, Jeong-seon (October 6, 2009). "SK컴즈 "김범과 함께하는 초록 리포터 도전하세요"" [SK Communications "Take on the Green Reporter Challenge with Kim Beom"]. Asia Economy (in Korean). Retrieved July 16, 2024.
^Cho, Kyung-hee (June 8, 2010). "손은서-김범, 12회 서울국제청소년영화제 홍보대사 위촉" [Son Eun-seo and Kim Beom Appointed as Public Relations Ambassadors for the 12th Seoul International Youth Film Festival]. OSEN (in Korean). Retrieved July 16, 2024.
^"`대학생 경제 유니버시아드 대회` 참여해 해외탐방, 인턴십 가자!" [Participate in the `University Student Economic Universiade` and go on an overseas trip or internship!]. Edaily (in Korean). August 5, 2010. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
^Lee, Kang-il (August 5, 2010). "한류드림페스티벌 홍보대사에 탤런트 김범" [Actor Kim Beom named promotional ambassador for the Hallyu Dream Festival]. Yonhap News (in Korean). Retrieved July 16, 2024.
^Kim, Pyo-hyang (April 6, 2012). "한가인-김범, 유니세프 홍보대사 '스페셜 엔보이' 위촉" [Han Ga-in and Kim Bum Appointed as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors 'Special Envoys']. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Retrieved July 16, 2024.
^Jeong Yu-jin (February 13, 2019). [단독] 김범·오연서, 열애 인정 10개월만에 '결별'. News1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 13, 2019. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
^Park Soo-in (June 30, 2021). "김범 '고스트닥터' 출연 확정, 정지훈과 첫 호흡(공식)" [Kim Bum confirmed to appear in 'Ghost Doctor', first breath with Jung Ji-hoon (official)]. Newsen (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on November 29, 2021. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
^Lee Kyung-ho (May 3, 2022). "구미호뎐1938', 이동욱X김소연X김범X류경수 출연..2023년 방송[공식]" [Gumiho 1938', Lee Dong-wook X Kim So-yeon X Kim Beom X Ryu Kyung-soo appeared.. Broadcast in 2023 [Official]] (in Korean). MT Star News. Archived from the original on May 3, 2022. Retrieved May 3, 2022 – via Naver.
^Shin, Seong-ah (May 22, 2024). "김범·손우현 첫 뮤지컬 '젠틀맨스 가이드', 정상훈·안세하 합류" [Kim Beom and Son Woo-hyun's first musical 'Gentleman's Guide' joins Jeong Sang-hoon and Ahn Se-ha]. 뉴데일리 (in Korean). Retrieved May 22, 2024.
^Kim, Ji-yeon (March 18, 2009). "붐 "F4 김범, 내 음반에 피처링 참여했었다"" [Boom "F4 Kim Bum, featured in my album"]. Star News (in Korean). Retrieved July 16, 2024.
^キム・ボムのランキング (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on July 5, 2018. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
^Park, Se-wan (September 1, 2023). "김범, '도쿄 찍고 자카르타 팬미팅 출국'" [Kim Bum, 'Tokyo Filming and Departing for Jakarta Fan Meeting']. JTBC (in Korean). Retrieved July 17, 2024.
^Yoon, Sang-geun (October 8, 2022). "수리남' 하정우, 2022 코리아드라마어워즈 대상 "드라마 대상 처음"[종합]" [Suriname' Ha Jung-woo, the 2022 Korea Drama Awards Grand Prize "Drama Grand Prize for the first time" [General]] (in Korean). MT Star News. Archived from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved October 8, 2022 – via Naver.