Lee Gyu-lee is a business writer at The Korea Times, focusing primarily on IT & telecommunications, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and KOTRA. Prior to this, she has covered a wide range of cultural news, from film, television and K-pop to lifestyle and fashion.
Park Bo-gum becomes first actor to host music show 'The Seasons'
Actor Park Bo-gum poses during a press conference for his new music talk show “The Seasons: Park Bo-gum's Cantabile” at KBS in Yeouido, Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of KBS
By Lee Gyu-lee
KBS' music talk show “The Seasons” welcomes Park Bo-gum as its first actor host, kicking off the seventh season “The Seasons: Park Bo-gum's Cantabile” on Friday.
The show, which started in 2023, brings different hosts every season to present musicians from various genres to talk candidly and perform their music on the set. Singers Jay Park, Choi Jung-hoon, AKMU, Lee Hyo-ri, Zico and Lee Young-ji were the previous hosts of the program.
Park expressed excitement and ambition for his new role, recalling his experience of hosting the broadcaster’s music show, “Music Bank,” 10 years ago and starring in the music-themed romance series “Naeil's Cantabile” in 2014.
“After 10 years, I realized I have quite a connection with KBS … I’ve thought that if I come across an opportunity later, I want to do a show in my own name and name it 'Cantabile.’ And coincidentally, it's a lucky seven. I'm very grateful to be able to meet everyone as the seventh host,” Park said Tuesday during a press conference for the show at KBS in Yeouido, Seoul.
Cantabile refers to performing in a singing-like manner in music direction, reflecting Park's deep appreciation and affection for music.
“KBS' music talk show has been running for 33 years. I grew up watching many guests and hosts of it. It's an honor for me to take this position … I want to be a reliable colleague and I'm preparing new things little by little with the hope that it will be a happy musical journey that can bring joy to viewers and guests.”
The show’s producer Choi Seung-hee shared that Park contributed ideas to making this season fresher than the previous ones.
“Park has a great interest in music, is good at playing piano and is an excellent singer. Last year, he was on the show as a guest and showed such deep respect for musicians, so we begged him to join,” she said.
“'The Seasons' is the only remaining music talk show in Korea. And for the first time in the show’s history, an actor is taking on the role of host. So I think there's greater expectation and interest. Living up to them, Park is very ambitious and passionate. He constantly asks the production team for meetings and makes suggestions. He has many ideas for various projects. You can have high expectations for this season.”
Noting the show’s title, Park shared his hope to provide his passion for music with the viewers through the show.
“Cantabile means 'as if singing,’ but also means 'to return to the beginning.’ With the mindset of going back to the beginning of (the KBS music show’s history) 33 years ago, I sincerely hope it becomes an opportunity and space where I can communicate with many musicians, actors and the audience to provide comfort and enjoyable time,” he said.
“I hope that later, when people look back, the show will remind them ‘There was such an artist back then. That music was really good.’ I wish for this to become the music show that everyone can talk about for a long time.”