Nam Joo Hyuk’s childhood dream while growing up in Busan was to become a professional basketball player. One day, a post-injury operation started a metaphorical itch because he realised his 1.88m frame was suited more for fashion shoots than shooting hoops. The beginning of his career can be condensed into the following: it began with him winning a nationwide modelling contest and blazing trails across the big screen.
In a time when industry players mask fears and insecurities, Nam reveals he is not short of them whenever he takes up a new role. “For me, every work I have taken part in so far was challenging. Every time a new role was given to me, I needed to take time to be the character and make an effort to connect with the audience naturally through the character – that’s why I’ve always accepted those challenges,” he shares.
Nam also corrects the assumption that the modelling and acting get on like a house on fire. He explains, “I think modelling and acting are too different to find any similarity between them. There are differences in terms of the way of expressing myself on the runway and on the screen. Modelling and acting have parallels in the sense that I have to concentrate in order to showcase all the different aspects of myself.”
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The Great Battle
Though Nam has ridden the Korean Wave to great success, he acknowledges the giants’ shoulders he stood on, stating that he “would always support those who contribute to generating such positive phenomenon in the Korean film industry”.
Despite his string of successes, he admits his career is a constant learning process. In fact, his 2018 film debut, The Great Battle, gave him a serious case of cold feet. “I was nervous and overwhelmed by the fact that I was working with such great colleagues, but I was trying to do my best so as not to cause any trouble. They always encouraged and supported me, giving me courage and confidence.”
“The experience feels more special to me – it’s simply such an unforgettable experience for me to have met all those amazing actors, actresses, and precious staff,” he admits.
Nam is always mindful of the crew who supported him and expressed his gratitude when he was named Best New Actor at the 39th Blue Dragon Film Awards. “There were so many people behind the screen who worked hard for the film. I was just the lucky one who won the award on their behalf. I feel grateful to have had such a blissful experience”, he says.
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The Dazzling Years
While Nam constantly sings praises about the crew of The Great Battle, it is the one he worked with on the 2019 drama series Dazzling that he has fonder memories of, sharing that “among all the teams I had the chance to work with, it was the Dazzling team with whom I got together the most after working at the end of the day”.
Perhaps this was due to the role he took on, which was antithetical to his personal character. Nam goes from his usual boy-next-door disposition to the ruminative character where he got to emote more, which endeared him to the Dazzling crew.
Apart from his rapport with the team, he also enjoyed the filming process. “One more thing that was very special about the drama was that there were many cameras used for the filming. Usually, the number of cameras ranges from four to six to seven. So with more cameras, the scenes could be filmed at various angles, and they were well balanced as well,” he explains.
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An Accidental Icon
Given his rising celebrity status, one could be forgiven for labelling Nam as a fashion icon. Often seen in classic sportswear wardrobe – bomber jackets, hoodies and sneakers – the actor is reticent about the compliments he gets regarding the way he dresses. “Of course I’m appreciative and flattered when people call me a fashion icon. But at the same time, it would make me blush as well since there are already so many real fashion icons out there.”
If you are looking to flatter him, just say that he looks comfortable. “The clothes that sportsmen wear is my favourite fashion style. It creates a natural [look] that provides comfort at the same time, I think,” he reveals.
When it comes to supporting the fashion industry that runs parallel to the one he is in, Nam is equally candid with his response. “Within my capability, I’ve tried my best to boost the awareness for young Korean fashion designers and the local fashion industry. To be honest, there haven’t been a lot of special activities related to that as yet, but I believe there would be more in the future.”
When asked about time travel – a power that drives the plot of Dazzling – Nam is surprisingly thoughtful in his response about this fictional ability. “If I could actually travel through time, I’d like to go see myself 10 years from now. I am just curious to know how I’ll be living and what kind of thoughts I’ll be having by then.”
By the way, Nam, so do we.
Photography Kim Hee June
Styling Megan Jung / msgstyle
Outfits Dior Men
Grooming Jung Mi Young / allu
Make Up Kim Soo Jin / allu
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