Born in Seoul on 16 June 1993, bogum is the youngest of three siblings. His mother passed away when he was in fourth grade.His name means "precious sword" (寶劍). He started learning to play piano when he was five and initially wanted to be a singer-songwriter.

bogum was in the swimming varsity team of Seoul Mokdong Middle School. During his sophomore year of high school, he sent a video of himself singing and playing the piano to prominent talent management agencies which led to several offers. bogum, who have never thought of becoming an actor, later changed his career path after a suggestion that he would do well acting. After graduating from Shinmok High School, he enrolled at Myongji University's Film and Musical Studies Department. In 2015, he represented his university's cultural overseas exchange program where hetravelledties in England, France, Italy and Switzerland.