Kim Bum, born Kim Sang-bum, is a South Korean actor, singer and model. He has returned to the romantic comedy genre with his latest drama Sold Out on You, garnering wide attention from his fans who have been for his comeback to the genre.
Kim Bum began his career at a young age participating in the reality program Survival Star Audition, where he placed sixth among hundreds of contestants. Although he did not continue in the competition, he drew interest from industry professionals and soon began his acting career with the sitcom High Kick! (2006).
He continued to take on supporting roles before gaining wider recognition through East of Eden (2008), which earned him the Netizen Popularity Award at the Korea Drama Awards. The actor rose to prominence with his role as So Yi-jung in Boys Over Flowers (2009), a drama that significantly expanded his domestic and international fanbase.
He then appeared in Padam Padam (2011), following which Kim encountered health issues, including degenerative arthritis, due to the significant weight loss he underwent while preparing for the drama. Even so, he continued to take on a wide range of roles across different genres such as Lee Rang in Tale of the Nine Tailed (2020) and Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938 (2023), and Han Joon-hwi in Law School (2021). In addition to acting, he also pursued music and released a studio album in 2012.
In Sold Out on You (2026), Kim Bum plays Seo Eric, the executive director of the global skincare brand L’Etoile. The character has spent much of his life in France and maintains a careful and reserved presence within a competitive corporate environment shaped by succession struggles.
His life begins to shift after he meets Dam Ye-jin. The drama premiered with its first two episodes on April 22 and 23, and Kim Bum’s portrayal of Seo Eric has drawn attention from the viewers.
Kim Bum opens up about his romcom comeback with Sold Out on You
Sold Out on You (2026) is a romantic comedy that follows an unexpected relationship between Matthew Lee, played by Ahn Hyo-seop, and Dam Ye-jin, played by Chae Won-bin. Matthew is a meticulous farmer balancing multiple responsibilities, while Ye-jin is a successful home shopping host dealing with chronic insomnia. The story unfolds as their contrasting lives intersect, shaping a romance built on chance encounters and evolving emotions.
Alongside the central narrative, Kim Bum plays Seo Eric, whose storyline adds another layer to the drama. Eric shares a significant connection with Ye-jin that dates back three years.
He had developed feelings for her after a brief encounter and interpreting it as fate he arranged to meet her again. However, she never showed up, after which he left for France.
When they cross paths again in the present, Eric approaches the meeting with visible anticipation. His excitement gradually shifts to disappointment when Ye-jin does not recognise him, but he doesn’t give up.
Eric’s perspective on their relationship is shaped by his belief in destiny. Even after being told that their connection may not be fated, he expresses a clear determination to change that outcome. This mindset drives his actions and sets up a key emotional thread in the series.
Kim Bum described Seo Eric in an interview with Herald Muse, as a character who was open about his feelings while remaining considerate toward others which made the script stand out. He says,
“When I read the script, I was drawn to the fact that Seo Eric is very honest and proactive about his emotions, yet possesses a caring heart for others rather than being immature or selfish. As an actor, I also wanted to portray the multi-dimensional aspects of Seo Eric.”
He notes that much of Eric’s emotional development is influenced by Ye-jin, and he has focused on portraying that shift and he focused on portraying that shift by prioritising the character’s responses to her rather than centring only on his own emotions.
Regarding his return to the romantic comedy genre, Kim Bum shared that he had received repeated suggestions from people around him to take on such a role. He viewed Sold Out on You as an opportunity to reconnect with the genre.
During the press conference of the drama, as per a report of Chosun Biz, Kim Bum acknowledged that he had previously avoided romantic comedies.
“I avoided saying 20 years because it makes me sound old… I unintentionally ended up doing a rom-com for the first time. Maybe I was waiting for Sold Out Again. It was a genre I lacked confidence in. Fantasy and genre works have delicate settings that are created within the script, but I think rom-coms are a very delicate genre, so I thought I lacked confidence and avoided them,” explained the actor.
As per the report, in preparing for the role, he also paid attention to visual details, including experimenting with a distinctive hair colour designed to complement the character’s image and stand out on screen.
Sold Out on You is broadcast every Wednesday and Thursday at 9 pm KST, with episodes 3 and 4 scheduled to air on April 29 and 30.
Edited by Adrija Chakraborty
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