Foreigners appearing on Korean TV are now a common sight, but in the early 2000s such appearances were rare. In 1999, Bruno Luciano Giovanni Bruni, a German Taekwondo enthusiast, unexpectedly became famous in Korea. Born in Italy in 1978 and raised in Germany, Bruno initially came to Korea in 1995 for a month-long Taekwondo training program. His passion for the martial art led him to stay longer, enrolling at Ewha Womans University in 1997 to study international business.
Bruno became the first foreigner to join the Korean National Taekwondo team, which earned him some recognition. However, his real stardom began after a chance appearance on a television variety show in 1999. The success of the show earned him the nickname “Taekwondo Boy”, and his fluent Korean, striking looks, and genuine love for Taekwondo and Korea endeared him to the public. He quickly became a rising star, appearing in variety shows, commercials and acting roles.
In 2002, at the height of his popularity, Bruno was deported due to visa problems. His entertainment activities had unknowingly violated immigration laws when his work visa expired. Bruno expressed regret for not having handled the legal procedures properly and returned to Germany, where local media highlighted him as “The German boy who became famous in Korea”.
Although he resolved his visa issues and returned to Korea briefly, Bruno soon left and remained away for 16 years. In 2019, he revealed the painful reasons for his long absence, including betrayal by his agency and his acquaintances in the entertainment industry. The contracts written in Korean were fake, leaving young Bruno disillusioned and deeply hurt.
Despite this, Bruno continued to act in Germany and even attempted a career in Hollywood, appearing in “Lost” and “Criminal Minds.” However, his Hollywood dreams faltered and he had to work part-time at a Japanese restaurant to make ends meet. Feeling embarrassed when recognized by Korean customers, Bruno later returned to Germany and opened a successful Korean fusion restaurant in Berlin, serving dishes such as bibimbap and kimchi burgers.
Although injuries from his early career prevented him from returning to Korea for years, Bruno never lost his affection for the country. In 2019 he returned with a variety show, much to the delight of fans. With a youthful appearance and improved Korean skills, Bruno is now pursuing his second act in Korea, balancing acting and appearances on variety shows. Fans hope this marks a new chapter for the beloved “Taekwondo Boy.”
