All K-drama fans, unite! Nam Joo Hyuk, is one of my favourite drama actor. The Penshoppe ambassador began his modelling career in 2013 but switched to acting a year later, with a minor role in the rom-com drama The Idle Mermaid. While we (not so) patiently await his comeback, here’s a look at his most talked-about Korean dramas so far.
Also Read: Top 15 Best Korean Dramas About Friendship Worth Watching
About Nam Joo Hyuk
He is a South Korean model and actor represented by the agency Management SOOP. Nam aspired to be a professional basketball player during his studies at Gyeongnam Middle School. Thus he played on the basketball team for three years. However, his basketball days were cut short after suffering an injury and later undergoing surgery.
In 2013, he debuted as a model on the SONGZIO Homme Spring/Summer 2014 runway. He appeared in the music videos “200%” and “Give Love” of fellow YG Entertainment singer “Akdong Musician” in 2014. He made his acting debut in the 2014 television drama “Surplus Princess” soon after.
Nam was signed as the apparel brand’s new model in November 2017 and became one of its brand ambassadors. Nam was formally introduced as the brand ambassador of Dior Men in Asia on April 17, 2019.
He starred in “Who Are You: School 2015” (2015), “Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo” (2016), and “The Bride of Habaek” (2017). Nam made his big screen debut in the historical picture “The Great Battle” in 2018 and received critical acclaim for his portrayal, earning him “Best New Actor” honours at the prestigious Blue Dragon Awards.
He also appeared in “The Light in Your Eyes” (2019), “The School Nurse Files” (2020), “Start-Up” (2020), and “Twenty Five Twenty One” (2022).
We’ve compiled a list of all of his dramas for you. Tell us which one is your favorite!
1. Who Are You: School 2015 (2015)
Go Eun Byul, a most popular girl at Sekang High School, the most elite private high school in Seoul’s Gangnam District. Meanwhile, her identical twin, Lee Eun Bi, is an orphan and is tormented at school.
Then Eun Byul inexplicably vanishes one day. Eun Bi soon loses her memories and is confused for Eun Byul. Eun Bi then begins to live her life as Eun Byul.
No. of episodes: 16
Role: Main Role
2. Glamorous Temptation (2015)
Glamorous Temptation tells the narrative of three characters: an ambitious woman, a jealous woman, and a guy out for vengeance. It’s a high-society vengeance drama set in Seoul, and someone is being brought down!
No. of episodes: 50
Role: Support Role
3. Cheese in the Trap (2016)
Hong Seol, a hardworking overachiever, unwittingly gets on the wrong side of seniors. Yoo Jung, who’s athletic, good-looking, gets outstanding grades, and has a friendly attitude, as well as a hidden dark side, after returning to college after a year-long absence due to her family’s poor background.
Her life turns for the worst after that, and Hong Seol is virtually sure it’s all Yoo Jung’s fault. So, why is he suddenly friendly a year later?
No. of episodes: 16
Role: Support Role
4. Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016)
When a total solar eclipse occurs, Go Ha Jin is taken back to the Goryeo Dynasty of Korea during King Taejo’s reign. She awakens in the body of 16-year-old Hae Soo and finds herself in the residence of the 8th Prince Wang Wook, who is married to Hae Soo’s cousin.
She quickly makes friends with several princes and encounters the despised 4th Prince, Wang So. Despite understanding, she shouldn’t engage in palace politics over crown succession. She accidentally becomes a pawn in the fight when several Princes fall in love with her.
No. of episodes: 20
Role: Support Role
5. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo (2016)
Bok Joo is a weightlifter who dreams of winning a gold medal, but she discovers romance for the first time. While she works out with huge steel weights, she is also very feminine in her relationships.
Her relationship would be jeopardised if she concentrated entirely on weightlifting, yet abandoning her weightlifting career for love would prevent her from achieving her goals.
Can she find a way to have love and glory at the age of 20? The characters in this play are outstanding athletes in weightlifting, swimming, and rhythmic gymnastics who strive to achieve their life goals. It follows their coming-of-age tales and relationships as they navigate life’s challenges.
No. of episodes: 16
Role: Main Role
6. The Bride of Habaek (2017)
A narcissistic god arrives on Earth searching for a powerful stone to restore him to his rightful seat on the throne. He (Nam joo hyuk) enlists the assistance of a psychiatrist who would eventually become his wife.
On the other hand, she does not believe he is a deity, as he claims. Can a mortal female and a god’s relationship have a future?
No. of episodes: 16
Role: Main Role
7. The Light in Your Eyes (2019)
Joo Hyuk plays Lee Joon Ha, a hardworking 25-year-old who dreams of being a reporter in this 12-episode fantasy melodrama. However, his poor status leads him to believe that no matter how hard he tries, nothing will work out in his life.
His lonely and dismal life is upended when he meets the bright and honest Hye Ja (Han Ji Min), who aspires to be an announcer and can alter time. As they spend time together, they realise the value of making the most of their available time.
With heartbreaking emotional sequences, this drama may be Joo Hyuk’s most challenging and mature work yet.
No. of episodes: 12
Role: Main Role
8. The School Nurse Files (2020)
An Eun Young is the school’s new nurse teacher. She can perceive jelly-like monsters produced from the residue of human desire and exterminate these jellies. She extracts the jelly with a toy knife and a BB rifle. She has a feeling that something strange is going on at her school.
The same school’s Chinese language instructor is Hong In Pyo (Nam joo hyuk). Hong In Pyo has a unique vibe. An Eun Young and Hong In Pyo collaborate to destroy these jellies to protect the students.
No. of episodes: 6
Role: Main Role
9. Start-Up (2020)
Start-Up stars Joo Hyuk as Nam Do-san (Nam joo hyuk), an entrepreneur who is now managing a failing company and is centred on four bright brains attempting to make it big in the IT industry. He meets the vibrant and determined Seo Dal-mi, who mistakes him for her first love.
Despite the misunderstanding, Do-san takes advantage of the situation to work his way up the business ladder and, eventually, into Dal-heart. mi’s
No. of episodes: 16
Role: Main Role
10. Twenty-Five Twenty-One (2022)
A teen fencer pursues enormous dreams at a time when dreams seem out of reach, and she meets a dedicated young man who is trying to restore his life.
Na Hee Do competes on her high school’s fencing team. The high school fencing team is disbanded due to the South Korean financial crisis. After overcoming all obstacles, she is selected for the national fencing squad.
The South Korean financial crisis also leads to the bankruptcy of Baek Yi Jin’s (Nam joo hyuk) father’s firm. This causes Baek Yi Jin’s life to transform from a wealthy person to an impoverished person. He works part-time jobs such as newspaper delivery while studying. Later, he works as a sports reporter for a television network.
No. of episodes: 16
Role: Main Role
Nam Joo Hyuk – Upcoming Projects
Vigilante – 2023 [TBA] (Main Role)
Here – [TBA] (Main Role)
Final Thoughts
“Nam Joo Hyuk is preparing to join the military after finishing all his scheduled commitments.”
Nam Joo Hyuk has wrapped production on the Disney+ original series Vigilante, his final project before joining the military. Nam Joo Hyuk’s part is said to have been filmed ahead of time because he was nominated to join the military in December, but the warrant has yet to be issued.
Nam Joo Hyuk will likely spend his time quietly maintaining himself until the warrant is issued, while the rest of the cast and crew are filming at the end.
