Park Bo-gum’s sincerity finds new stage in ‘The Village Barber’
Actor Park Bo-gum, who holds a national barber’s license, runs a barbershop in a remote rural village with his close friends in the new tvN variety show "The Village Barber." Courtesy of tvN
Korean actor Park Bo-gum has returned to the variety show circuit, trading scripts for scissors in a new show that taps into the country’s growing appetite for “healing” entertainment.
"The Village Barber," which launched on tvN on Jan. 30, features the actor running a barbershop in a quiet rural village. He is joined by close friends and fellow actors Lee Sang-yi and Kwak Dong-yeon. Its debut episode posted a nationwide viewership rating of 2.8 percent, but the show is drawing attention for its slower pace and emphasis on sincerity.
Unlike typical celebrity reality formats, where stars briefly try out new jobs for the cameras, Park spent a year obtaining a national barber’s license to prepare for the role. The show leans into this authenticity, focusing on the simple act of cutting hair and connecting with elderly residents who make up most of the shop’s clientele.
Park, known for his polite image and scandal-free career, has generally stayed away from variety programs. Instead of reshaping his public persona, the show reinforces his long-standing reputation as a wholesome, earnest performer.
The format reflects a broader trend in Korean entertainment toward “harmless,” comfort-driven programs. Set against the backdrop of a slow-moving countryside, the show finds its emotional anchor in Park’s warm interactions with Kim Jeong-ja, the shop’s first regular customer — proving that small, quiet moments can be just as compelling as the high-stakes drama found elsewhere on television.
But the format comes with challenges. Park’s gentle, attentive personality often makes him a better listener than a generator of comedic moments. This dynamic echoes his role in JTBC’s “Hyori’s Homestay,” where he acted more as a harmonizer rather than an entertainer. Park’s respect for guests reinforces the program's warmth, positioning him as a harmonizer. However, failing to step up as an entertainer — and leaving the laughs to Lee and Kwak — inevitably dulls the variety format.
"The Village Barber" must now find its footing beyond Park’s star power. To sustain interest, the show needs to integrate him seamlessly into the larger narrative — making him just one element in a richer mix of rural life, village residents, and the interactions that take place in the barbershop.
For Park, this project could be a double-edged sword. While reinforcing his "nice guy" image could limit his range in future dark roles, the show mitigates this risk. By capturing his intense effort and struggles, it redefines him not just as polite, but as tenacious and dedicated."
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.