Rising Star Heo Nam-jun: From Supporting Roles to Leading Man

Heo Nam-jun, who gained acclaim for his role as the eldest son of Kim Myung-min in the ENA drama 'Your Honor,' is celebrating a series of successes with new projects lined up. Now in his seventh year since debut, he is establishing himself as a leading actor in highly anticipated productions.

'Your Honor,' which aired in August last year, was noted for the acting showdown between Kim Myung-min and Son Hyun-joo, but it was Heo Nam-jun who caught the audience's attention. Playing Kim Myung-min's eldest son, Heo captivated viewers with his intense portrayal of a villain from the very first episode.

Despite limited screen time, his unique presence in each scene made waves, earning him praise for 'dominating the character.' Industry insiders have recognized him as a promising new talent. Following 'Your Honor,' Heo quickly joined the MBC drama 'The Call You Made,' where he played a character that stirred jealousy in Yoo Yeon-seok as the college senior of Chae Soo-bin. He showcased a different charm by expressing warm emotions with a calm and restrained tone, proving his wide acting range and stable performance.

Born in 1993, Heo Nam-jun studied acting at Sungkyunkwan University and debuted in the 2019 film 'Like the First Cup.' Although he appeared in 'Snowdrop,' 'Wedding Battle,' and 'Sweet Home,' his roles were not significant enough to gain widespread recognition. However, 'Your Honor' marked a turning point, showing his potential to carry the weight of a production beyond minor or supporting roles.

Heo's appearance in the tvN drama 'Ask the Stars,' a major project with a budget of approximately 50 billion won, added another significant entry to his filmography. Although the drama, which completed filming in April 2023, faced criticism for its unfamiliar space setting and awkward love scenes, Heo received unexpected praise for his role, with some noting he 'left his mark on a major production.'

In the upcoming JTBC drama 'A Hundred Memories,' set to air in September, Heo will star alongside Kim Da-mi and Shin Ye-eun. He will play Han Jae-pil, the fateful first love of bus attendants Go Young-rae (Kim Da-mi) and Seo Jong-hee (Shin Ye-eun) in 1980s Seoul. The combination of Kim Da-mi and Shin Ye-eun is already generating buzz, and Heo's role as the male lead who captures both actresses' attention is highly anticipated. This marks his first major leading role since 'Your Honor,' potentially a pivotal moment in his acting career.

Heo also appeared in the music video for IU's remake album 'Flower Bookmark 3,' released in May, for the track 'Never Ending Story.' Known for featuring notable actors, IU's music videos have always drawn attention, and Heo followed in the footsteps of Cha Eun-woo as IU's partner, showcasing his presence as a 'music video leading man.'

Heo Nam-jun has several upcoming projects. He is set to appear opposite Lim Ji-yeon in the SBS drama 'Brave New World' and has joined the cast of 'Whale Star,' starring Choi Woo-shik and Moon Ga-young. Despite mixed reactions to the casting for the main role in 'Whale Star,' Heo's casting has been positively received for matching the character's image. His nuanced performance is anticipated in this complex role.

In a past interview following 'Your Honor,' Heo candidly mentioned that his fellow Sungkyunkwan University alumni, such as f(x)'s Krystal and Kara's Kang Ji-young, might not know him. However, he has now become one of the most prominent figures among his peers from the class of 2013. Building a diverse filmography across theater, drama, film, and music videos, Heo has risen to the ranks of a 'rising star.'

From minor roles to major dramas and leading characters, Heo Nam-jun has steadily built his career over seven years. Even the '500 billion won box office flop' served as a stepping stone to increase his industry recognition. The momentum that began with 'Your Honor' continues with 'A Hundred Memories,' 'Brave New World,' and 'Whale Star.' Heo Nam-jun has moved beyond being known as 'Kim Myung-min's son' to becoming a leading actor in his own right, capturing the industry's attention.