Actor Heo Nam Jun opened up about the people who supported him during his rise as a romantic comedy lead.
On June 18, Heo Nam Jun sat down for an interview in Gangnam gu, Seoul, where he talked about the SBS drama “My Royal Nemesis”, which ended on June 20.
“My Royal Nemesis” follows the unpredictable romance between Shin Seo Ri, played by Lim Ji Yeon, and Cha Se Gye, played by Heo Nam Jun.
In the drama, Heo Nam Jun played both Cha Se Gye, a third generation chaebol, and Yi Hyun, Prince Cheongheon from the Joseon era, showing two very different sides of his acting.
This drama was also meaningful because it marked Heo Nam Jun’s first lead role in a romantic comedy. After building his name through projects such as “Sweet Home”, “Your Honor”, and “A Hundred Memories”, he showed a softer and more charming side through “My Royal Nemesis”.
Talking about the drama’s ending, Heo Nam Jun said, “Because it was a work that we filmed with care for a long time, it feels like it ended even faster. I really feel sad to let it go”. He added that he hopes the drama remains as something viewers can “comfortably watch again” whenever they think of it.
He also shared that he was touched by the positive reactions. He said he usually does not search for reactions often, but people around him contacted him first because there were many good comments. He smiled as he mentioned one reaction that made him happy: “He is not my style, but he keeps bothering me.”
Heo Nam Jun also spoke warmly about Kim Mu Yeol, whom he met through Netflix’s “Sweet Home”. He shared that Kim Mu Yeol recently sent him a message saying, “Congratulations to both you and me”, as both actors have been receiving love for their recent works.
Heo Nam Jun said Kim Mu Yeol often gives him advice when he has concerns about acting. He explained, “I first met him when I was really a rookie, and since then, he has taken care of me and taught me a lot. So he feels like a father to me.”
He also talked about his close friendship with actor Kim Do Hoon, whom he worked with in “Your Honor.” Heo Nam Jun described him in a sweet and funny way, saying, “Kim Do Hoon feels like a puppy that welcomes me when I come home”.
He added that Kim Do Hoon contacts him often and is always full of positive energy. According to Heo Nam Jun, joking around and teasing him is Kim Do Hoon’s way of showing support. He also shared that they often video call and that Kim Do Hoon is a friend who always gives him energy.
Heo Nam Jun also thanked DAY6’s Young K for helping with “My Royal Nemesis”. He shared that the drama’s director once played him a song being considered for the ending of episode 3 and carefully asked if Heo Nam Jun could ask Young K about it.
Heo Nam Jun said he was careful because Young K is his friend, but the song was so good that he asked him anyway. Young K agreed right away, even before listening to it. Heo Nam Jun laughed as he said this made him feel proud when he told the director.
He also thanked Young K for sending a coffee truck to the filming set, saying it made him feel like a celebrity on set.
As “My Royal Nemesis” came to an end, Heo Nam Jun thanked viewers for the love he received. He said, “Sometimes I think, ‘A day like this has come for me too!’ But honestly, since I am still filming, it does not fully feel real yet. Still, I feel really happy”.
