This week’s Bias Duality article is dedicated to the brightest ray of sunshine, Golden Child’s BoMin. With 68.7% of the total votes cast by Kpopmap readers on our previous poll, BoMin was chosen as the most highly anticipated idol to appear in this series. To participate in choosing the artist who will be featured in our next “Bias Duality” article, you can vote for your favourite idol/actor below! If you would like to see a different idol/actor (one who is not mentioned in the poll) featured in the series, please leave their name in the comments section, and we will add them to the vote lineup next time! Now onto our bias!
Choi BoMin: The Man Of Many Faces We Know And Love
One of the most beloved young artists of this generation, one who inspires just as much as he entertains, Golden Child’s BoMin is a force to be reckoned with. A Y2K baby in the truest sense of the word, BoMin’s brand of artistry combines retro romanticism with futuristic vision, creating an inimitable blend that defines him.
In 2017, BoMin debuted as the youngest member of Golden Child, holding down the positions of Lead Dancer, Vocalist, Visual, and the Face of the group. However, his range of talents far exceeds this list. The idol is a rapper, a drummer, a highly sought-after model, an excellent MC, a rising star in film and television, and quite the iconic variety entertainer. That’s not all! BoMin is also a formidable football player and has a knack for calligraphy. Soon after his debut in the music industry, BoMin made his acting debut in the second season of “A-TEEN” as Ryu JooHa, setting the standard for romance protagonists to come. However, unlike the machismo and straightforward charm of JooHa, BoMin’s real personality is characterised by gentle softness, calm sensibility, and an unlimited supply of aegyo.
The purity of BoMin’s heart shines through in his smile, washing away our worldly concerns. The sound of his bright laughter alone feels like sunshine and rainbows on a gloomy day, curing our blues. BoMin’s wholesome energy is as healing to the soul as it is to the mind and heart. He is the source of much-needed comfort for millions in this world, and all he has to do is just be himself. If there ever were a song that could capture the essence of BoMin’s worldview, it would be ‘La vie en rose’ by Edith Piaf. With such a wonderfully endearing personality, it is no surprise that BoMin is a stan magnet and a social butterfly in one. BoMin’s BFF list is a star-studded affair featuring fellow 00-liners: HyunJun Hur, THE BOYZ’s SunWoo & Eric, NCT’s Jeno. Stray Kids’ HyunJin and ASTRO’s Yoon SanHa as well as other prominent idols such as AB6IX’s DaeHwi (who was born early in 2001 and is considered a part of the 00-liners), ATEEZ’s WooYoung (1999), and SEVENTEEN’s Joshua (1995). Not only is it delightful to watch him spend time with his friends but also, the sense of humour that comes out during these interactions is golden, to say the least. When it comes to his fans, this humour becomes even more charismatic! From responding to fans with remarks that are well deserving of a K-Drama script to comforting them during difficult times, BoMin has one of the most precious idol-fan relationships in all of K-Pop. It is also a commonly known fact among Goldenness that BoMin has a penchant for making his fans feel comfortable around him, which speaks volumes of his kind disposition.
Now, while it is easy to indulge in BoMin’s “Manhwa Prince” fantasy, the real Choi BoMin is just as enchanting. He is deeply sentimental and doesn’t shy away from acknowledging his emotions. He cries easily, especially when his heart wells up with love and gratitude, so much so that it is almost a ritual for BoMin to cry during Fan Meetings and concerts. He is fiercely protective of his fans but terribly afraid of bugs and heights and cares more for his members than himself. However, that doesn’t stop him from also being the certified King of Sass in Golden Child.
Maknae On Top
If you thought BoMin only ruled Goldenness’ hearts, think again. The man lives rent-free in the minds of his hyungs who couldn’t be prouder of their big baby. Known popularly as the “maknae on top” - a term used to describe the youngest member of a K-Pop group who, in fact, dominates the same, BoMin was raised by his older brothers in the group with love and adoration.
As much as he loves to playfully tease his members, earning him the nickname “장난꾸러기” (Jangnankkurogi), which means one who likes to goof around, he’s also the happiest when he’s with them. As the member with the most influence in the dynamics of the group, BoMin proudly flaunts his title as the “실세 막내” (Silse Maknae), which means “Big Shot Youngest” or the maknae who is given free rein to do as he pleases at all times.
While the Golden Child members cherish and pamper BoMin to the fullest, he returns the affection manifold by tending to their needs, being mindful of their well-being, and showering them with wholehearted appreciation. Just being able to share a meal with his hyungs makes him the happiest person on Earth!
BoMin once shared in an interview with star1 magazine that he got the nickname “Maknae On Top” because he’s not the type to act like a kid but in this family, his inner child comes out to play.
Fire And Ice - BoMin’s Stage Duality
The most visually explosive and self-evident form of duality in BoMin manifests itself on stage. BoMin’s stage presence is a thing of wonder, and we cannot help but marvel at the way he commands the audience - both live and otherwise. BoMin’s tryst with the camera is a match made in art heaven and we just can’t get enough. This quality is perfectly demonstrated in BoMin’s fancam for Golden Child’s performance of ‘WANNABE’ at “MCOUNTDOWN”. The eye contact he holds with the camera is nothing short of hypnotizing and his dance movements are cleaner than ever. Even more impressive is the constant oscillation between determination and desperation reflected in his facial expressions. No one emotes lyrics better than Choi BoMin. The dark allure of ‘WANNABE’ era BoMin remains unbeatable to this day. In stark contrast, we have the bubblegum sweetness of ‘DamDaDi’ for our daily dose of VitaMin. With the brightest smile on his face, BoMin is entirely in his element. This is the fancam to watch if you’ve ever having a bad day. BoMin brings out the actor in him to portray a lover boy smitten with the girl of his dreams, and he does a fantastic job of maintaining the whimsy of it all. If that wasn’t enough to melt us into puddles, he also effortlessly switches between innocent aegyo and flirtatiousness, going from shy to confident in no time. Our hearts never stood a chance! If the stages above weren’t enough to convince you of the sheer power of BoMin’s duality, the next two will not only do so but they will make you downright worship his talent at the same. When it comes to power and expressiveness, BoMin’s performance of ‘Ra Pam Pam’ at “SBS INKIGAYO” stands no comparison. The man had energy pumping through his veins and the sparkle in his eyes could make anyone go weak in the knees. In the blink of an eye, BoMin goes from suave to scintillating, all the while boasting an elegant appeal. Moreover, the stability and strength of his vocals in the middle of one of the most demanding choreographies of all time, are truly worth high praise. At this point, BoMin has not only outdone the industry but also himself and that is exactly what makes him stand out as a performer. Finally, it would be a disservice to BoMin’s ethereal visuals if we missed out on the legendary stage of ‘Without You’. Arguably one of the most angelic fancams of BoMin in the history of Golden Child comes from the group’s performance of the song at “MCOUNTDOWN” on 2020.1.30. Clad in a regal white suit, BoMin looks absolutely empyrean and his magical duality is caught in 4K (quite literally). BoMin’s transformative quality is best brought out by ‘Without You’, which allows him to channel his unbridled passion through myriad tempers. From helplessness in crisis to feeling lost, wounded yet resolute, BoMin knows exactly how to put on one helluva show. This is what I call a complete artist.
Versatility At Its Best - BoMin’s Screen Duality
No discourse about BoMin’s duality would ever be complete without highlighting the extraordinary range he has shown as an actor. At the dawn of his acting career, BoMin cemented his position as the poster child of first love and went on to play several versions of the same through a number of television and web dramas. Besides Ryu JooHa in “A-TEEN 2”, BoMin played Hwang JiHoon in “Melting Me Softly”, Seo JiHo in “18 Again”, and Kim HoIn in “Shadow Beauty”. Despite all of the above being “student” characters, BoMin imbued each one with a unique perspective, leaving us in awe of his versatility. Hwang JiHoon is a bright-eyed college student infatuated by a noona who stole his heart and Seo JiHo is a childhood sweetheart who will do anything to protect his beloved and ensure her happiness. On the other end of the spectrum, we have Kim HoIn: a cold, manipulative, psychopathic high school student who finds sadistic pleasure in tormenting Koo AeJin (played by Shim DalGi).
BoMin sent chills down our spine with his nuanced portrayal of Kim HoIn, taking us on a rollercoaster ride of morally ambiguous emotions as we rack our brains over the complexities of his character.
This is BoMin unlike anything we’ve ever seen before, especially considering that his real personality is nowhere near close to HoIn. BoMin is exceptionally talented in acting, which means that the possibilities are truly endless, and we cannot wait to see what his future holds.
An Icon In The Making - BoMin’s Aesthetic Duality
In an industry where concepts, images, and stylists dictate one’s fashion, BoMin has managed to curate a distinct aesthetic that sets him apart. From cozy sweaters, overcoats, scarves, blazers, sweatshirts, and tees to leather jackets, chains and harnesses, BoMin can pull it all off with ease. Even with his mask on, BoMin’s visuals are too radiant to be hidden. The Sherlock vibes are strong with this look! On the right, BoMin is serving rockstar realness with harnesses over a purple silk shirt. The dark bejeweled suit pulls our attention to BoMin’s gorgeous blonde locks, sharp cheekbones, and doe-eyes whereas in the second, more casual look, we’re getting the boyfriend experience of our dreams. BoMin makes the casual style look just as elegant as formals and at the same time, even the most luxurious outfits look effortless on him. While his fashion has definitely changed over the years, his personal style remains iconic. To conclude, if there’s one thing that Choi BoMin has made clear in the last 5 years of his illustrious career, it is that his creative horizons are ever-expanding and he is constantly evolving as an artist. The future of the Korean art and entertainment industry is certainly in safe hands. What is your favourite part about BoMin’s duality? Tell us in the comments section down below! If you’re looking for more BoMin and Golden Child content on Kpopmap, here are some articles you might enjoy!
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