[Focus] Hyun Bong-sik, So What If You Have Presbyopia? A Unique Face Is Beautiful

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] Now, there is no need to ask about the secrets of a youthful appearance. What does it matter if someone is not youthful-looking or has presbyopia? The standards of beauty are changing recently. At the center of this change is actor Hyun Bong-sik.

On the MBC variety show 'Radio Star' aired on the 3rd, Hyun Bong-sik revealed, "I am often mentioned as an actor with presbyopia, but my actual age is 38, born in 1984."

That day, Hyun Bong-sik said that actors Koo Kyo-hwan, Kim Sung-kyun, and Son Seok-gu, who starred with him in the Netflix series 'D.P.', are older than him. Although he played the role of a battalion commander in the show, he was actually the youngest among them.

He shared that he posted photos from his actual military service days on social media and laughed, saying, "There was a comment saying, 'The battalion commander is playing a private.'

He also shared an episode that caused misunderstanding. He said, "I quit exercising and returned to a different high school during high school, and rumors spread. People said, 'The returning student is 24 years old; isn't that him?'" The MCs were amazed at his elementary, middle, and high school graduation photos shown later, saying, "Even if the order is changed, it doesn't look awkward."

Hyun Bong-sik also revealed that his birth name given by his grandparents was 'Hyun Bo-ram.' He used that name until kindergarten but later changed it to 'Hyun Jae-young.' He explained, "For acting activities, I created the name 'Bong-sik' by taking one character each from my father’s and uncle’s names."

Photo by Jerigogo

Hyun Bong-sik has recently become the center of attention online under the nickname 'Bongsik84.' Whether because of the roles he has played or his mature personality, it was hard to believe he was born in the 1980s.

But so what? Facing this issue head-on on 'Radio Star,' Hyun Bong-sik calmly admitted, "I have played roles in my 50s while in my 30s," openly acknowledging his presbyopia. His confident attitude increased his likability.

In fact, Hyun Bong-sik is considered one of the blue-chip actors in Chungmuro. He worked alongside Song Kang-ho and Lee Byung-hun in the upcoming films 'Emergency Declaration' and 'The Match.' Following actors like Sol Kyung-gu, Kim Yoon-seok, and Kim Hye-soo, he is steadily making his way among distinguished actors. The actors who have worked with him unanimously express high expectations for his potential. This is why his future activities are highly anticipated.

As such, the 'prejudice' that equates youth with beauty is fading, and an era has come where individuality becomes the standard of beauty. Perhaps it is time to stop packaging appearances like a slim figure or a slender face and youth as 'virtues' in the media.