Actor Park Hyung-sik has officially addressed the long-standing dating rumors involving his Strong Woman Do Bong Soon (2017) co-star Park Bo Young. In a candid interview for the February issue of Singles magazine, he clarified the situation that reignited the speculation, stemming from a viral moment at an event they attended together.
The dating rumors, which originated during the filming of their hit 2017 K-drama, resurfaced on October 15, 2024, when the duo appeared at W Korea’s breast cancer awareness charity event. On January 25, 2025, Hyung-sik addressed the situation in his interview. He explained:
“That day, I had an eyelash on my face, and Bo-young tried to remove it for me. The way the scene was edited made it seem like something else was going on, which sparked the dating rumors.”
He emphasized that it was an innocent gesture between friends and that the rumors were entirely unfounded.
Viral moment sparks dating rumors: Park Hyung-sik and Park Bo-young reignite speculation at charity event
For the unversed, Park Hyung-sik and Park Bo-young captivated audiences with their chemistry in the 2017 JTBC drama Strong Girl Bong-soon. The undeniable on-screen connection between the two leads sparked real-life dating rumors among the show’s massive fanbase.
Airing from February 24 to April 15, the series garnered widespread acclaim and achieved an impressive 8.96% nationwide viewership for its final episode. At that time, this marked the highest ratings ever recorded for a JTBC drama.
The rumors surrounding Park Hyung-sik and Park Bo-young gained significant traction again after the two reunited on October 14, 2024, at W Korea’s breast cancer awareness charity event. Known for their on-screen chemistry, the beloved duo caught fans’ attention as they attended the event.
However, what truly stirred the fandom was a short clip from the event that quickly went viral on social media. The video captured a seemingly intimate moment where Park Bo-young was seen removing an eyelash from Hyung-sik’s face.
Both actors appeared momentarily flustered as cameras caught the interaction, before they recovered and posed casually. Fans of Strong Woman Do Bong Soon flooded social media with excitement, speculating whether the real-life bond between the two mirrored their on-screen romance.
Upcoming projects of Park Hyung-sik and Park Bo-young
Park Hyung-sik is gearing up for his role in the much-anticipated SBS drama Buried Hearts, also known as Treasure Island, which will premiere on February 14, 2025, at 10 pm KST. The series will air in SBS's Friday-Saturday time slot, promising an exciting mix of crime, mystery, and suspense.
Directed by Jin Chang-gyu and written by Lee Myung-hee, Buried Hearts is produced by A2Z Entertainment and Pureumir Factory. The drama boasts a strong cast, with Park Hyung-sik joined by Heo Joon-ho and Hong Hwa-yeon in key roles.
The plot centers around a 2 trillion KRW political slush fund that becomes the focal point of a dangerous battle. When a man hacks into the fund, it sets off a deadly chain of events. A powerful political figure, unaware of the hack, orders the man’s death, but in the process, the slush fund disappears.
This loss sparks a gripping series of events that tests the characters’ survival instincts. Themes of ambition, power, and survival are explored as they navigate the perilous realms of politics and corporate intrigue.
Park Hyung-sik stars as the lead character, Seo Dong-joo, the head of the chairman’s secretary office at Daesan Group. Dubbed the "Daesan Man," Seo is known for his fierce loyalty to the company, but beneath his professional exterior lies a personal ambition to take over the organization.
Meanwhile, Park Bo-young stars in Melo Movie, which will be released on Netflix on February 14. The film presents a heartfelt journey of love, aspirations, and the complexities of relationships. The story revolves around Ko Gyeom and Mu-bi, two young individuals whose paths intertwine as they navigate life’s challenges and seek someone they can fully trust, someone to lean on when the world feels uncertain.
Mu-bi, portrayed by Park Bo-young, is an assistant director with dreams of becoming a film director, hoping to follow in the footsteps of her late father, who was a crew member in the film industry. Ko Gyeom, played by Choi Woo-shik, transitioned from a supporting actor to a respected film critic.
Their paths cross during an interview film, sparking an unexpected connection. However, Ko Gyeom vanishes without a trace, leaving Mu-bi to continue her career. Years later, their worlds collide again when Mu-bi’s own film is released, reigniting unresolved feelings.