Heo Nam Jun is gaining strong attention for his romantic comedy performance in SBS’s “My Royal Nemesis”.
In episodes 9 and 10, which aired on June 5 and 6, Cha Se Gye, played by Heo Nam Jun, became more open about his feelings for Shin Seo Ri, played by Lim Ji Yeon. He showed jealousy, desperation, and direct affection, making viewers more invested in the romance.
Many viewers are especially praising Heo Nam Jun’s line delivery. Romantic comedy dramas often include lines that can sound too dramatic or cheesy, but Heo Nam Jun turned them into emotional and heart fluttering moments.
In one scene, Cha Se Gye eats candy given by Shin Seo Ri and says, “It is damn sweet.” In another scene, he tells her, “Forget all the other guys and look only at me.”
His performance stood out because he made these lines feel natural, desperate, and romantic instead of awkward. This has become one of the main reasons why the emotional tension in “My Royal Nemesis” continues to work well.
Episodes 9 and 10 also showed Heo Nam Jun’s wide acting range. When Cha Se Gye used his power as an advertiser to stop a bed scene in Seo Ri’s drama and even called himself “Shin Seo Ri’s sasaeng,” he brought comedy by showing how a proud chaebol can become childish because of love.
However, he quickly changed the mood in the emotional kiss scene after Seo Ri slapped him. His trembling breath, red eyes, and broken body language showed Cha Se Gye’s fear, longing, and deep feelings. Viewers praised the scene, saying he acts even through his breathing.
Because of this, online communities have been reacting with comments such as, “Is writer Kim Eun Sook watching?” Many viewers believe Heo Nam Jun has the charm needed for a classic rom-com male lead.
Some are even hoping to see him in a future drama by Kim Eun Sook, the writer behind popular works such as “Lovers in Paris,” “Secret Garden,” “The Heirs,”, "Descendant's of the Sun" and “Goblin”.
Heo Nam Jun previously impressed viewers with his heavy and cold charisma in “Your Honor” and “Sweet Home”. Through “My Royal Nemesis”, he is now proving that he can also lead a romantic comedy with both humor and emotional depth.
With the drama teasing a shocking turn after Seo Ri’s mysterious truck accident, viewers are now looking forward to how Heo Nam Jun will portray Cha Se Gye’s deeper emotions in the coming episodes.
