The director and writer of the recently concluded hit SBS drama My Royal Nemesis have shared their heartfelt praise for actor Heo Nam-jun, who has officially cemented his status as a rom-com master.
My Royal Nemesis (written by Kang Hyun-joo, directed by Han Tae-seop and Kim Hyun-woo), which aired its finale on the 20th, is a high-stakes romantic comedy. It follows Shin Seo-ri (played by Lim Ji-yeon), an unknown actor possessed by the soul of a notorious villain from the Joseon era, and Cha Se-gye (played by Heo Nam-jun), a wealthy heir often called a monster created by capitalism. The series received immense love from viewers for its tight plot, stylish direction, and stellar performances, even topping the Netflix global charts.
In a written interview released on the 30th, director Han Tae-seop and writer Kang Hyun-joo expressed their gratitude to Heo Nam-jun for breaking the mold of a typical romantic comedy lead and creating a unique version of Cha Se-gye.
▲ "A Performance So Real, I Can't Imagine Anyone Else as Cha Se-gye"
In My Royal Nemesis, Heo Nam-jun’s character, Cha Se-gye, presents himself as a cold-hearted, wealthy villain, but is actually a complex individual full of flaws and awkwardness when it comes to love. Writer Kang Hyun-joo praised him, saying, "Heo Nam-jun was the key to the success of this romantic comedy. While watching the broadcast, I felt as if he had been possessed by the character. Those looks and expressions could never be achieved through acting alone; he made Cha Se-gye entirely his own to the point where I cannot imagine anyone else in the role."
With his sharp features, Heo Nam-jun is quite different from the typical prince-charming archetype often seen in rom-coms. Regarding his casting, writer Kang explained, "Because the character of Cha Se-gye was explicitly labeled a 'villainous heir,' he was far from the standard romantic comedy lead. In reality, he is full of flaws, has a childish side, and is quite emotionally inept when it comes to love. So, from the planning stage, I wasn't looking for a typical rom-com lead image." She added, "I thought it was more important to find an actor who could naturally portray the complex charms of Cha Se-gye. In that sense, Heo Nam-jun was the perfect choice."
Writer Kang further analyzed, "He is an actor who possesses great flexibility beneath his sharp image and strong aura. He expresses arrogance and playfulness in comedic scenes, while deeply condensing the character's sincerity in romantic moments. The rhythm and temperature Heo Nam-jun crafted completed the charm of a human-like Cha Se-gye."
▲ Lim Ji-yeon’s Approval: Turning Cringe-Worthy Lines into Hits
Director Han Tae-seop also expressed admiration for Heo Nam-jun’s interpretation of the character. "The charm of Cha Se-gye depended on how convincingly and attractively he could dismantle the impregnable cynicism of 'Love is just about money,' which the writer had built up," the director said. "Heo Nam-jun pulled this off with instinctive acting and genuine dedication to the project."
Director Han highlighted Heo’s flexibility by sharing a specific anecdote from the set. Recalling the rooftop scene in episode 5, he said, "When we were filming lines like, 'How is it? You’re honored, right?' and his pathetic behavior on the rooftop, I felt that the character and the scene hit the mark perfectly. I remember Lim Ji-yeon even praised him during that scene, saying, 'You’re really good at being pathetic.'"
The secret to perfectly delivering lines that some viewers might find "cringe-worthy" was Heo Nam-jun’s unwavering trust in the script. Director Han noted, "Heo Nam-jun never thought of those lines as cringe-worthy. He had a precise grasp of the character and had meticulously studied and penetrated the psychology of someone who would say such things." He praised Heo’s professionalism, adding that he likely felt that delivering lines half-heartedly would be disrespectful to his co-star.
▲ "A Big Puppy Who Lights Up the Set": The Start of a Career-Defining Journey
On and off-screen, Heo Nam-jun was someone who changed the atmosphere of the set. Director Han Tae-seop shared his gratitude with a warm description, saying, "He is solid and sexy on the outside, but cheerful and soft on the inside. I often thought, 'How can someone be this multi-dimensional?' When Se-gye arrived, it felt like a light had been switched on at the filming site." He added, "You only need to talk to Heo Nam-jun for five minutes to realize he is like a big puppy who is incredibly considerate of others."
Regarding Heo Nam-jun’s rise to global stardom following the drama’s success, the production team agreed that it was a natural result of the actor’s long-standing hard work.
"I believe that the sincerity toward acting and the upright way of life that Heo Nam-jun has built through various experiences eventually made him a star," said Director Han. "I am personally proud and happy to have been able to share the beginning of that glory with him through My Royal Nemesis. I am certain that Heo Nam-jun will continue to break his own records for a 'career-defining character' in every project. I don't think this drama has even shown all of his charms yet," he added, cheering for the actor’s limitless future.
[Photo=SBS 'My Royal Nemesis']
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