Korean star Park Bo Gum, who never had plastic surgery, reveals secret to perfect skin: 'I'd skip …'

Korean sensation Park Bo Gum recently revealed the secret behind his enviable porcelain skin and hinted that having impeccable skin involves some sacrifices. In a chat with his ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’ co-star, actress-singer IU, the ‘ Reply 1988’ star hinted that flawless skin doesn’t come free of cost.

When the ‘Blueming’ hitmaker gently ribbed him that his radiant skin made “worlds of dermatology, comedy, and magic nervous,” the actor replied that he often avoided eating or drinking the day before shooting, as he wanted to avoid pimple breakouts.

“I wanted to look my best,” he admitted. He added, “I really appreciate that people smile when they see my face, so every week before the shoot, I’d skip food completely, just to keep the pimples away.”

He also revealed that he often drank less water so as to keep energy levels up. “If I drink a lot of water and stay hydrated, I look fabulous during ‘Cantabile’ recordings,” he stated.

In a 2016 media interaction, the actor revealed that he had never undergone plastic surgery and that “every part” of his face was his own. He also stated that he avoided smoking and drinking to keep his skin looking impeccable

Bo-gum and IU recently starred together in the romantic slice-of-life drama When Life Gives You Tangerines. Created by writer Lim Sang-choon and helmed by director Kim Won-seok, the show premiered on Netflix from March 7 to March 28, 2025. The series earned strong critical acclaim for its acting, storytelling, and cinematic execution.

At the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards, it secured eight nominations and won four major honors, including Best Drama. The show has drawn favorable comparisons to the beloved series Reply 1988, which also featured Bo-gum, due to its heartfelt portrayal of Korean life and emotionally rich narrative. Its nostalgic tone and relatable themes have made it a standout success in contemporary Korean television.