ActorKing Kong by Starship
Kim Bum
Kim Bum (김범), born Kim Sang-bum (김상범) on July 7, 1989 in Seoul, is one of Korean drama's most enduring leading men -- an actor who turned a teen idol debut into a career built on range and longevity.
He broke through at 19 in the 2008 melodrama East of Eden before landing the role that made him a regional star: So Yi-jung, the sculptor-playboy of F4 in Boys Over Flowers (2009). The show became a Pan-Asian phenomenon and launched him to prominence across East and Southeast Asia.
A decade later, Kim reinvented himself with Tale of the Nine Tailed (2020), where his portrayal of the half-blood gumiho Lee Rang drew comparisons to the magnetic antiheroes of prestige television. He reprised the role in Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938 (2023). His performance in the legal drama Law School (2021) demonstrated his ability to hold his own in ensemble pieces driven by sharp dialogue.
In 2026, Kim joins the SBS rom-com Sold Out on You as Eric Seo, the warm-hearted executive director of a cosmetics company who adds tension to the central romance. Managed by King Kong by Starship, Kim has built one of the most internationally recognized acting profiles of his generation.
1 articles5 creditsDebut: January 1, 2006South Korean
Gallery
Filmography
2026
Sold Out on YouK-Drama
Eric SeoSBS
2023
Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938K-Drama
Lee Rang
2021
Law SchoolK-Drama
Han Joon-hwi
2020
Tale of the Nine TailedK-Drama
Lee Rang
2009
Boys Over FlowersK-Drama
So Yi-jung
Fans Also Ask
What is Kim Bum known for?
Kim Bum is best known for playing sculptor-playboy So Yi-jung in Boys Over Flowers (2009) alongside the rest of the F4 lineup. He later starred as the half-blood gumiho Lee Rang in Tale of the Nine Tailed (2020) and its sequel Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938 (2023), and played sharp-tongued student Han Joon-hwi in the legal drama Law School (2021).
What is Kim Bum’s role in Sold Out on You?
Kim Bum plays Eric Seo in Sold Out on You, the executive director of cosmetics company L’Etoile. His character is described as warm and direct -- a man who says exactly what he feels -- and introduces a secondary romantic tension that complicates the show’s central story.
How old is Kim Bum?
Kim Bum was born on July 7, 1989, making him 36 years old as of 2026. Born in the Mapo district of Seoul, he studied Film and Theater at Chung-Ang University and made his acting debut in 2006 in the sitcom High Kick!
What agency is Kim Bum under?
Kim Bum is managed by King Kong by Starship, one of South Korea’s established talent agencies. He has maintained a steady television and film career since his debut in 2006, earning a strong following across East and Southeast Asia.
