Nam Joo-hyuk

Nam Joo-hyuk
Nam in March 2017
Born (1994-02-22) February 22, 1994 (age 29)
Busan, South Korea
Occupations
  • Model
  • actor
Years active2013–present
AgentManagement SOOP
Korean name
Hangul
Hanja
Revised RomanizationNam Ju-hyeok
McCune–ReischauerNam Chuhyŏk
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 became 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.

Early life

Nam Joo-hyuk was born on February 22, 1994, in Busan, South Korea. 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.

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.

Career

2013–2014: YGKPlus and music video appearances

Nam debuted in 2013 as a model for the SONGZIO Homme 2014 S/S collection.

In 2014, he appeared in the music videos 200% and Give Love of fellow YG Entertainment artist Akdong Musician. Soon after, he made his acting debut as a supporting role in the tvN drama, The Idle Mermaid.

2015–2018: Rising popularity and big screen debut

Nam Joo-hyuk in 2015.

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. 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.

In 2016, he played supporting roles in college romance series Cheese in the Trap and historical drama Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo. The same year, Nam became a cast member in the variety show Three Meals a Day. 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.

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. Then in 2018, Nam starred in the historical film The Great Battle, which marked his big screen debut. 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.

Nam at the 40th Blue Dragon Film Awards in 2019.

2019–present: Transition to more leading roles

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.

In 2020, Nam starred in Netflix's supernatural crime drama The School Nurse Files and in the tvN romance series Start-Up. 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. 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.

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. 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."

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."

Nam is set to star in a leading role for the drama Vigilante, based on the Naver webtoon of the same name drawn by Kim Gyu-san. He is set to portray a police college student who operates as the titular vigilante.

Other activities

Nam Joo-hyuk promotes the perfume line "Dior Sauvage" in Marie Claire Korea June issue, 2021

Endorsements

In November 2017, Penshoppe signed Nam as the new model of the clothing brand and he became one of its brand ambassadors. On April 17, 2019, it was officially announced that Nam was chosen as the brand ambassador of Dior Men in Asia.

Philanthropy

On April 6, 2019, it was reported that Nam donated about 30 million won to the Hope Bridge Association of the National Disaster Relief for the victims of the Gangwon Province wildfire in South Korea. In February 2020, he donated 50 million won to the Daegu Social Welfare Community Chest to be used for quarantine supplies and medical support needed to prevent COVID-19.

Public image

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. Nam's management company denied the allegations and stated that they were untrue, and announced that they would seek criminal complaints against the netizen. 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.

Personal life

Military service

On October 17, 2022, it was reported that Nam would be enlisting in the military in December. The agency later confirmed that Nam was scheduled to serve in the mandatory military service in December but has not received an official summons.

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. 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. After completing his training, he serves at the 32nd Division Military Police Unit (Baekryong Unit) in Geumnam-myeon.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Ref.
2018 The Great Battle Sa-mool
2020 Josee Lee Young-seok
2022 Remember Park In-gyu

Television series

Year Title Role Ref.
2014 The Idle Mermaid Park Dae-bak
2015 Who Are You: School 2015 Han Yi-an
Glamorous Temptation Jin Hyung-woo (young)
2016 Cheese in the Trap Kwon Eun-taek
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo 13th Prince Baek-ah
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo Jung Joon-hyung
2017 The Bride of Habaek Habaek
2019 The Light in Your Eyes Lee Joon-ha
2020 Start-Up Nam Do-san
2022 Twenty-Five Twenty-One Baek Yi-jin

Web series

Year Title Role Ref.
2020 The School Nurse Files Hong In-pyo
2023 Vigilante Kim Ji-yong

Television show

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2014–2015 Off to School Cast member
2016 Celebrity Bromance with Ji Soo
Three Meals a Day: Gochang Village with Yoo Hae-jin, Cha Seung-won and Son Ho-jun
My Ear's Candy
2019 Coffee Friends
2021 Unexpected Business

Web shows

Year Title Role Ref.
2014 Nam TV Cast Member

Music video appearances

Year Song Title Artist Ref.
2014 "200%" Akdong Musician
"Give Love"
2015 "Chocolate" Kangnam feat. San E
2018 "When It Snows" 1415 (Musical Duo)

Discography

Soundtrack appearances

List of soundtrack appearances with selected chart position, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart position Album
KOR
Gaon
Hot
"With"
(with Kim Tae-ri, Kim Ji-yeon, Choi Hyun-wook and Lee Joo-myung)
2022 40 54 Twenty-Five Twenty-One OST

Awards and nominations

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination
Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result Ref.
APAN Star Awards 2015 Best New Actor Who Are You: School 2015 Won
Art Awards 2020 Mommeumme Award Nam Joo-hyuk Won
Baeksang Arts Awards 2019 Best New Actor – Film The Great Battle Nominated
Blue Dragon Film Awards 2018 Best New Actor Won
Buil Film Awards 2019 Best New Actor Nominated
Popular Star Award Nominated
CFDK Awards 2014 Fashion Model of the Year Awards, Male Model Category Nam Joo-hyuk Won
Chunsa Film Art Awards 2019 Best New Actor The Great Battle Nominated
Director's Cut Awards 2022 Best New Actor - Film Josée Nominated
Drama Fever Awards 2017 Rising Star Award Cheese in the Trap Won
InStyle Star Icon 2016 Style Icon Nam Joo-hyuk Won
KBS Drama Awards 2015 Best New Actor Who Are You: School 2015 Nominated
Popularity Award, Actor Won
Best Couple Award (with Kim So-hyun) Nominated
KOFRA Film Awards 2019 Best New Actor The Great Battle Won
Korean Association of Film Critics Awards 2018 Won
Korea Drama Awards 2015 Who Are You: School 2015 Nominated
2017 Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo Nominated
KoreanUpdates Awards 2015 Best Couple Award (with Kim So-hyun) Who Are You: School 2015 Nominated
BIFF Marie Claire Asia Star Awards 2018 Rising Star Award The Great Battle Won
MBC Drama Awards 2016 Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo Nominated
Best New Actor Won
Best Couple Award (with Lee Sung-kyung) Nominated
Soompi Awards 2016 Breakout Actor Who Are You: School 2015 Won
Best Bromance (with Yook Sung-jae) Nominated
2017 Best Kiss Award (with Shin Se-kyung) The Bride of Habaek Nominated
Best Couple Award (with Shin Se-kyung) Nominated
Seoul International Drama Awards 2021 Outstanding Korean Actor Start-Up Nominated
The Seoul Awards 2018 Best New Actor (Film) The Great Battle Won

Listicles

Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement
Publisher Year Listicle Placement Ref.
Forbes 2020 Asia's 100 Digital Stars Placed
2021 30 Under 30 Asia Placed
2023 Korea Power Celebrity 40 36th

This page was last updated at 2023-12-03 05:22 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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