Actor Heo Nam-jun made a notable appearance as IU's blind date in the MBC drama '21st Century Grand Duchess.'
Set in a constitutional monarchy in South Korea, the drama follows the story of Seong Hee-joo (played by IU), a woman who has everything as a chaebol but feels constrained by her commoner status, and Lee An-daegun (played by Byun Woo-seok), a prince who is sad because he cannot have anything. Heo Nam-jun made a special appearance as Kim Yeon-jun, Hee-joo's blind date.
In the second episode aired on the 11th, Yeon-jun had a brief yet intense encounter with Hee-joo at the Royal Art Museum. Despite a previous sudden change in Hee-joo's matchmaking schedule, Yeon-jun's generous patience continued during their meeting. His awkward demeanor, as he nervously observed Hee-joo engrossed in her work, brought smiles to viewers. His efforts to maintain a conversation with a tense voice and flushed face created a unique chemistry.
However, Yeon-jun was taken aback by Hee-joo's bluntness, treating their relationship strictly as business. Overwhelmed by Hee-joo's arrogance, who pressured him by saying, "Can you dedicate yourself to ensure I reach the top?" he was left at a loss by her continued rudeness. Eventually, he expressed his reluctance, saying, "I don't think our marriage will work," leaving a bittersweet impression.
Heo Nam-jun portrayed the naive character overwhelmed by his counterpart's assertiveness with realism, leaving a strong impression despite his brief appearance. He will return as the lead character Cha Se-gye in the new SBS drama 'Brave New World,' premiering on May 8th. Anticipation is high for Heo Nam-jun's transformation into a 'villainous chaebol,' a stark contrast to his role in '21st Century Grand Duchess,' and how he will deliver a compelling performance.
Tae Yuna, Ten Asia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr