Park Bo-gum, Lee Sang-yi, and Kwak Dong-yeon closed their rural barbershop journey with sincerity, leaving behind laughter, emotion, and a lasting sense of connection in The Village Barber.
In the final episode aired on April 3, the trio bid farewell to residents who had become like family. Since its premiere on January 30, the program gained attention for documenting Park Bo-gum’s real-life barbershop operation, supported by his barber certification. He handled hair services, while Lee Sang-yi took charge of nail care and Kwak Dong-yeon prepared food for visitors.
As the end approached, Lee Sang-yi filled the barbershop walls with framed photos taken with customers, turning the space into a memory-filled gallery. The three actors also prepared handwritten letters on the back of photos, delivering them personally to each guest.
The emotional farewell between the trio and regular customers stood out. Park Bo-gum revisited one of his first clients, an elderly neighbor who had received her first-ever hair dye at the shop, offering after-service and showcasing his growth as a barber.
Kwak Dong-yeon prepared heartfelt meals for local children, from cream pasta to customized fish cake dishes, while the trio gifted books and toys. The children responded with handwritten letters, adding to the emotional resonance of the finale.
Residents also expressed their affection through gestures of their own, sharing homemade dishes and maintaining the barbershop as a communal space even after filming ended. A mural created together with villagers remains as a lasting symbol of their time.
Beyond entertainment, the show contributed to local revitalization. The filming site in Muju has emerged as a new tourist attraction, drawing around 200 visitors on weekdays and over 500 on weekends, highlighting the program’s impact on regional tourism and community engagement.
Reported by News Culture M.J._mj94070777@nc.press
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