S.Korean actor Kim Bum expresses love for Vietnamese cuisine during Ho Chi Minh City visit

It was his first trip back to Vietnam in 12 years.

Kim, who gained international fame for his role as So Yi Jung in 'Boys Over Flowers,' attended the Beauty Summit 2025 as a brand ambassador. 

The international beauty industry event highlighted cross-cultural exchange, with Kim serving as a bridge between Vietnam and South Korea, particularly in the beauty sector.

At the event, Kim warmly interacted with fans and spoke fondly of Vietnamese food. 

He recalled enjoying pho during his previous visit and said this time he was eager to try banh xeo, which he described as something he had been curious about for a long time.

Pho is a noodle soup served with aromatic broth and beef or chicken, while banh xeo is a savory, sizzling pancake filled with pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts.

Kim later shared his food adventures on Instagram, posting a series of photos captioned with a Vietnamese flag emoji and the words 'The last day of August.'

The images included banh xeo, pomelo salad with shrimp and pork, and fresh spring rolls. 

The post, shared with his 6.8 million followers, quickly drew enthusiastic comments from fans.

Followers wrote, "Banh xeo! I love you, oppa!", "You were my first love. Please come back to Vietnam more often. Vietnamese fans always welcome you!", and "You're about to become a Vietnamese son-in-law!"

One fan even offered to make banh xeo for him next time.

In a fan-recorded video, Kim was seen enjoying guava and asking, "What is the name of this fruit? It's delicious!" while smiling.

Kim began his acting career in 2006 and rose to fame with roles in 'High Kick!' and 'East of Eden.'

He became a household name in Asia after 'Boys Over Flowers' aired in 2009. 

In recent years, he has taken on more complex roles in dramas like 'That Winter,' 'The Wind Blows,' and 'Tale of the Nine Tailed,' showing his growth as an actor.

Twelve years after his last visit, Kim continues to charm Vietnamese audiences with his friendly personality and youthful appearance. 

He said he genuinely admires Vietnamese people and culture, a sentiment shared by many South Koreans.