Nam Joo-hyuk

Nam Joo-hyuk

Nam in December 2020

Born February 22, 1994 (age 30)

Yeongdo District, Busan, South Korea[1]

 Model
Occupations
 actor

Years active 2013–present

Agent Management Soop

Height 187 cm (6 ft 2 in)[2]

Korean name

Hangul 남주혁

Hanja 南柱赫

Revised Romanization Nam Ju-hyeok

 McCune–Reischauer Nam Chuhyŏk

Website msoopent.com

Signature

Nam Joo-hyuk (Korean: 남주혁; born February 22, 1994) is a South Korean model and
actor. He began his career as a model, and appeared in several music videos before
making his screen debut in 2014 with The Idle Mermaid. He rose to prominence with his
role in the television series Who Are You: School 2015 (2015), and has since become
notable for his leading roles in Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo (2016), The Bride of
Habaek (2017), The Light in Your Eyes (2019), The School Nurse Files (2020), Start
Up (2020) and Twenty-Five Twenty-One (2022).
In 2021, Nam was featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 owing to his successful acting and
modeling career.[3]
Early life[edit]
Nam Joo-hyuk was born on February 22, 1994, in Yeongdo District, Busan, South
Korea.[1] During his studies in Gyeongnam Middle School, Nam dreamed of becoming a
professional basketball player, hence he played on the basketball team for three years,
however after sustaining an injury and later undergoing an operation, his basketball
days soon came to an end.[4][5]
After moving to Seoul, he won the contest Top Model which was sponsored by K-Plus.
Soon after, Nam signed an exclusive contract under the modeling agency.[4]
Career[edit]
2013–2014: YGKPlus and music video appearances[edit]
Nam debuted in 2013 as a model for the SONGZIO Homme 2014 S/S collection.[6]
In 2014, he appeared in the music videos 200% and Give Love of fellow YG
Entertainment artist Akdong Musician.[4] Soon after, he made his acting debut as a
supporting role in the tvN drama, The Idle Mermaid.[7]
2015–2018: Rising popularity and big screen debut[edit]
Nam landed his first major role in KBS's coming-of-age teen drama Who Are You:
School 2015, in which he portrayed a high school student named Han Yi-an, who
experiences growing pains such as a crush on a schoolmate and injuries affecting his
swimming career.[8][9] He garnered attention with his appearance in the series, eventually
winning several accolades including Best New Actor at the 4th APAN Star Awards and
the Popularity Award at the 2015 KBS Drama Awards.[10][11][12]
 Nam in 2015
In 2016, he played supporting roles in college romance series Cheese in the Trap and
historical drama Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo.[13][14] The same year, Nam became a
cast member in the variety show Three Meals a Day.[15] He then starred in his second
lead role in the youth sports drama Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo alongside Lee Sung-
kyung, portraying a talented yet playful swimmer named Jung Joon-hyung. Nam's
performance in the series received favorable reviews and garnered him more
widespread recognition.[16][17]

Nam for Beautypl in March 2017

In 2017, he led tvN's fantasy romance series The Bride of Habaek opposite Shin Se-
kyung, wherein he portrayed a narcissistic Water God in pursuit of his rightful throne.[18]
[19]
Then in 2018, Nam starred in the historical film The Great Battle, which marked his
big screen debut.[20] Nam received acclaim for his performance, with Yoon Mi-sik of The
Korea Herald writing that he "delivers a rock-solid portrayal of a wavering youth who is
unsure of what is right or wrong." His performance in the film led him to win Best New
Actor accolades at the prestigious Blue Dragon Awards.[21][22]
2019–present: Transition to more leading roles[edit]
Nam starred in the fantasy romance drama The Light In Your Eyes alongside Han Ji-
min and Kim Hye-ja in 2019, receiving positive reviews for his performance.[23][24]
 Nam for Marie Claire Korea in December 2020
In 2020, Nam starred in Netflix's supernatural crime drama The School Nurse Files and
in the tvN romance series Start-Up.[25][26] The same year, Nam also starred in the romance
film Josée, a remake of the 2003 Japanese film Josee, the Tiger and the Fish. The film
reunites Nam with The Light In Your Eyes co-star Han Ji-min.[27][28] With the success
of The School Nurse Files and Start-Up, Nam was featured in Forbes' 30 Under 30 Asia
list under the "Entertainment & Sports" category in 2021.[29]
Nam then worked with Kim Tae-ri in leading the tvN drama Twenty-Five Twenty-One.
The series, which tells the story of love between a man and a woman who met in the
midst of the IMF crisis set in 1998, premiered in February 2022.[30][31] He received
favorable reviews for his performance in portraying the character Baek Yi-jin, with
Korean media outlet OSEN referring to Nam as the "symbol of youth" as they
commended his acting skills which created what is known as the "Joohyuk's Pain"
syndrome. Writer Kim Bo-ra cited his "solid physique, warm-hearted visuals, and deep
sensibility" which made him "look like a character in a teen comic." Kim adds, "[Nam's]
affectionate warm voice and clear gaze make viewers' hearts flutter and fall for Baek Yi-
jin."[32]
Nam starred in the film Remember, which was released theatrically on October 26,
2022. He played the role of a young man who helps an Alzheimer's patient commit
revenge. His performance was described as one that was able to "show sympathy that
transcends generations in a way only [Nam] can."[33][34]
In 2023, Nam starred in a leading role for the drama Vigilante, based on the Naver
webtoon of the same name drawn by Kim Gyu-san. He portrayed a police college
student who secretly operates as the titular vigilante.[35]
Other activities[edit]
Endorsements[edit]
 Nam featured in a promotional campaign for the Dior
Sauvage fragrance line in Marie Claire Korea June issue, 2021
In November 2017, Penshoppe signed Nam as the new model of the clothing brand and
he became one of its brand ambassadors.[36] On April 17, 2019, it was officially
announced that Nam was chosen as the brand ambassador of Dior Men in Asia.[37]
Philanthropy[edit]
On April 6, 2019, it was reported that Nam donated about ₩30 million to the Hope
Bridge Association of the National Disaster Relief for the victims of the Gangwon
Province wildfire in South Korea.[38] In February 2020, he donated ₩50 million to
the Daegu Social Welfare Community Chest to be used for quarantine supplies and
medical support needed to prevent COVID-19.[39]
Public image[edit]
On June 20, 2022, a netizen alleged that he was a former victim of bullying and Nam
Joo-hyuk was the perpetrator of his bullying during his six years in middle school and
high school, claiming that Nam was part of a group of bullies that harassed him.[40] Nam's
management company denied the allegations and stated that they were untrue, and
announced that they would seek criminal complaints against the netizen.[41][42] On June
28, another person made school bullying accusations against Nam which were again
denied by his management. On July 5, Korean news outlet Dispatch published an article
containing statements of 20 people: 2 high school teachers and 18 classmates of Nam,
defending him against the allegations.[43][44][45][46] On March 28, 2024, the accuser of Nam
has been found guilty of defamation and ordered to pay 7 million won in restitution to
the actor by the Goyang District Court. The court stated that Nam did not bully the
accuser during their six years of school together and was not associated with other
bullies. Consequently, both defamers are equally responsible for defaming Nam with
false allegations.[47]
Personal life[edit]
Military service[edit]
On October 17, 2022, it was reported that Nam would be enlisting in the military in
December.[48] The agency later confirmed that Nam was scheduled to serve in
the mandatory military service in December but has not received an official summons.[49]
On January 31, 2023, it was confirmed that Nam will enlist in the Capital Defense
Command Military Police Group as a military police officer riot squad on March 20,
2023.[50][51] On March 31, 2023, it was reported that Nam had been appointed chief of the
trainees at Nonsan Training Center, jointly with Y from Golden Child.[52][53] After
completing his training, he serves at the 32nd Division Military Police Unit (Baekryong
Unit) in Geumnam-myeon.[54]
Filmography[edit]
Film[edit]

Year Title Role Ref.

The Great
2018 Sa-mool [20]

Battle

2020 Josee Lee Young-seok [27]

2022 Remember Park In-gyu [33][55]

Television series[edit]

Year Title Role Ref.

2014 The Idle Mermaid Park Dae-bak [7]

Who Are You: School 2015 Han Yi-an [8]

2015
Glamorous Temptation Jin Hyung-woo (young) [56]

Cheese in the Trap Kwon Eun-taek [13]

Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart

2016 13th Prince Baek-ah [57]

Ryeo

Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo Jung Joon-hyung [16]

2017 The Bride of Habaek Habaek [19]

Year Title Role Ref.

2019 The Light in Your Eyes Lee Joon-ha [23]

2020 Start-Up Nam Do-san [26]

2022 Twenty-Five Twenty-One Baek Yi-jin [30]

Web series[edit]

Year Title Role Ref.

The School Nurse

2020 Hong In-pyo [25]

Files

2023 Vigilante Kim Ji-yong [35][58]

Television show[edit]

Year Title Role Notes Ref.

2014– Cast
Off to School [59]

2015 member

Celebrity Bromance with Ji Soo [60]

Three Meals a Day: Gochang with Yoo Hae-jin, Cha Seung-

2016 [15]

Village won and Son Ho-jun

My Ear's Candy [61]

2019 Coffee Friends

 Year Title Role Notes Ref.

2021 Unexpected Business [62]

Web shows[edit]

Year Title Role Ref.

Nam
2014 Cast Member
TV

Music video appearances[edit]

Year Song Title Artist Ref.

"200%"
2014 Akdong Musician [4]

"Give Love"

2015 "Chocolate" Kangnam feat. San E [63]

"When It
2018 1415 (Musical Duo) [64]

Snows"

Discography[edit]
Soundtrack appearances[edit]

List of soundtrack appearances with selected chart position, showing year released and album name

Title Year Peak chart Album

position

KOR
 Gaon Hot
[65] [66]

Twenty-Five
"With"[67] 2022 40 54 Twenty-One
(with Kim Tae-ri, Kim Ji-yeon, Choi Hyun-wook and Lee Joo-myung)
OST

Awards and nominations[edit]

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the
nomination

Nominee /
Award ceremony Year Category Result Ref.
Work

Who Are You:

APAN Star Awards 2015 Best New Actor Won
School 2015

Art Awards 2020 Mommeumme Award Nam Joo-hyuk Won [68]

Baeksang Arts Awards 2019 Best New Actor – Film Nominated [69]

Blue Dragon Film

2018 Best New Actor Won [22]

Awards
The Great Battle

Best New Actor Nominated

Buil Film Awards 2019
Popular Star Award Nominated

Fashion Model of the Year

CFDK Awards 2014 Nam Joo-hyuk Won
Awards, Male Model Category

Chunsa Film Art

2019 Best New Actor The Great Battle Nominated [70]

Awards
Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the
nomination

Nominee /
Award ceremony Year Category Result Ref.
Work

Director's Cut Awards 2022 Best New Actor - Film Josée Nominated [71]

Cheese in the
Drama Fever Awards 2017 Rising Star Award Won
Trap

InStyle Star Icon 2016 Style Icon Nam Joo-hyuk Won

Best New Actor Nominated [72]

Popularity Award, Actor Who Are You: Won [73]

KBS Drama Awards 2015
School 2015

Best Couple Award (with Kim Nominated

So-hyun)

KOFRA Film Awards 2019 Won [74]

The Great Battle

Korean Association of
2018 Won [75]

Film Critics Awards

Best New Actor

Who Are You:
2015 Nominated [76]

School 2015

Korea Drama Awards

Weightlifting
2017 Fairy Kim Bok- Nominated
joo

KoreanUpdates 2015 Best Couple Award (with Kim Who Are You: Nominated
Awards So-hyun)
Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the
nomination

Nominee /
Award ceremony Year Category Result Ref.
Work

School 2015

BIFF Marie Claire

2018 Rising Star Award The Great Battle Won [77]

Asia Star Awards

Excellence Award, Actor in a

Nominated
Miniseries
[78]

Weightlifting
MBC Drama Awards 2016 Best New Actor Fairy Kim Bok- Won
joo

Best Couple Award (with Lee Nominated

Sung-kyung)

Breakout Actor Won

Who Are You:
2016 [79]

School 2015
Best Bromance (with Yook Sung- Nominated
jae)

Soompi Awards
Best Kiss Award (with Shin Se- Nominated
kyung)
The Bride of
2017
Habaek
Best Couple Award (with Shin Nominated
Se-kyung)

Seoul International
2021 Outstanding Korean Actor Start-Up Nominated [80][81]

Drama Awards

The Seoul Awards 2018 Best New Actor (Film) The Great Battle Won [82]
Listicles[edit]

Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement

Publishe Placemen
Year Listicle Ref.
r t

2020 Asia's 100 Digital Stars Placed [83]

Forbes 2021 30 Under 30 Asia Placed [3]

2023 Korea Power Celebrity 40 36th [84]