South Korean star Park Bo-gum is proving that reinvention doesn’t always have to wait for the final act. Known for his emotional screen presence in recent dramas like When Life Gives You Tangerines and Good Boy, the 32-year-old actor is now stepping into an entirely different role — that of a small-town barber.
Park has officially opened a working hair salon as part of a new variety show, The Village Barber, marking a rare and refreshingly personal career detour for one of Korea’s most loved celebrities.
A Salon, a Village, and a Second Dream
Airing on tvN, The Village Barber sees Park set up a modest barbershop in Muju, a quiet rural area in North Jeolla Province. Rather than playing a character, the actor shows up as himself — scissors in hand — offering haircuts to local residents who often lack easy access to salons.
Joining him on this countryside journey are Lee Sang-yi and Kwak Dong-yeon, turning the show into a mix of community service, self-discovery, and light-hearted reality television.
How Acting Led Him to Hair Styling
During the premiere episode, Park opened up about how his fascination with hairstyling developed quietly over the years. Spending decades around professional stylists on drama and film sets sparked an unexpected curiosity — one that slowly turned into a serious ambition.
He shared that he began imagining a “second life” beyond acting, one where he could work with his hands and serve people more directly. That idea, he said, materialised sooner than expected thanks to the show.
From Military Service to National Barber License
What makes this pivot more than just a TV gimmick is Park’s preparation. While completing his mandatory military service in the Navy, he earned a national barber’s license, a qualification that requires both written and practical exams.
Known among fellow soldiers for giving reliable buzz cuts, Park joked that short hairstyles became his specialty during enlistment — an experience that boosted his confidence with clippers long before cameras started rolling.
The Exam He Didn’t Pass — Yet
Encouraged by his progress, Park also attempted to secure a national cosmetologist (beautician) license, which would allow him to perform more advanced hairstyling. While he successfully passed the notoriously difficult written exam — which reportedly has a pass rate as low as 20–30 percent — the practical test didn’t go his way.
Speaking candidly on the show, Park recalled missing several curling rods during the timed practical exam, leading to disqualification. Instead of hiding the setback, he laughed it off, admitting the pressure only grew when people in the room recognised him.
More Than a Variety Show
At its core, The Village Barber isn’t just about celebrity experimentation. Park has said his motivation was also rooted in helping elderly residents in rural areas who struggle to access basic grooming services — a small but meaningful gesture that adds emotional weight to the project.
Final Words
Park Bo-gum’s move from drama sets to barber chairs feels less like a publicity stunt and more like a sincere exploration of identity. By openly sharing both his successes and failures, he brings rare honesty to a genre often built on polish.
Whether he eventually retakes the beautician exam or not, The Village Barber captures an actor stepping off the scripted path — and finding joy in something refreshingly ordinary.
