Actor Kim Bum’s new role is singer

There’s a new rising Hallyu star in town that may be able to give actor-turned-singer Jang Keun-suk a run for his money.

Kim Bum, the 22-year-old actor who rose to fame in the dramas “Boys over Flowers” (2009) and this year’s “Padam Padam” will try his luck as a singer in Japan.

Kim will launch his debut album Wednesday and begin a three-day promotional visit to Japan on Saturday. On Sunday, Kim will meet with an expected 1,500 fans at a launch event for his album “Hometown” at the Odaiba VenusFort in Tokyo before doing interviews with Japanese media.

The album is being described as summery with elements of nostalgia, consisting of seven tracks from various genres, such as rock and ballad.

The album was backed by the famous Japanese label Pony Canyon and was produced by Park Geun-chul, who has worked on sound tracks for dramas.

Leading up to his debut album, Kim has also contributed various song to the sound tracks of dramas in which he has starred.

By Carla Sunwoo