(Following [Interview①]) Heo Nam-jun worked in a love triangle with Kim Da-mi, who plays Go Young-rae, and Shin Ye-eun, who plays Seo Jong-hee. Heo Nam-jun reflected on the filming set, saying, “They seemed like good people, so we joked a lot.”
He added, “Kim Da-mi has a calm vibe, and Shin Ye-eun is warm but has a very lively feel. There’s just that difference in vibe,” and continued, “They looked at the scenes delicately from perspectives I hadn’t seen before, and I thought I should try to do it that way too. I relied on them a lot.”
He also praised them, saying, “One thing is for sure, they are much more experienced and put in a lot of effort. They have more skills and experience than I do, but they work hard with a sense of responsibility. I learned a lot from their attitude.”
He found it enjoyable to watch the friendship narrative between the two characters. He said, “When I see the scenes I’m in, I tend to think a lot, but when I watch the story of their friendship, I can fully immerse myself. They act well, and the story is warm, so it was touching. It reminded me a lot of my real friends.”
The drama is set in the late 1980s to early 1990s. Filming a period piece that doesn’t differ much from the current era is a bit more challenging than a historical drama from a completely different time, as viewers who remember that era tend to be stricter in their evaluations.
In this regard, Heo Nam-jun said, “It was ‘newtro’,” adding, “We filmed with a mix of the era’s atmosphere and modernity.” He continued, “That was a time of romance, right? There were no cell phones, and things didn’t move quickly, so I wanted to capture the feeling of enjoying leisure and romance within that.” He also mentioned, “I tried to enjoy even the smallest changes in the weather romantically.”
Some viewers commented that Han Jae-pil, who wears a school uniform, looks “older.” Regarding this, he sighed, saying, “That’s something I have to accept. What can I do if it makes them uncomfortable? We’ve already filmed everything.” However, he actively defended himself, saying, “If you look at photos from that time, everyone looks mature. Some even look more mature than I do.”
Having successfully completed his first leading role, Heo Nam-jun expressed his desire to challenge various genres in the future.
“Although my career is short, I have tried many genres, including comedy. I want to touch on all genres. If I can challenge everything, I think that would be a blessing. I would also like to play roles like an athlete or a firefighter, and I want to try a story about a special forces unit. I have a desire to take on roles with a sense of mission.”
Before acting, Heo Nam-jun was known to have prepared for entrance exams to major in practical music. When asked if he plans to utilize this experience in acting, he waved his hands and said, “I won’t reveal that I did practical music until I die,” which made everyone laugh. He added, “It was the first time in my life that I experienced that effort doesn’t always lead to success. It seems that all the talent for singing was taken away from me at birth.”
Heo Nam-jun has already confirmed his next project. He will star alongside Lim Ji-yeon in the SBS Friday-Saturday drama ‘Wonderful New World,’ scheduled to air in 2026. ‘Wonderful New World’ is a drama about a notorious villain from Joseon who possesses the body of an unknown actor in 2026 Korea and a romance with a third-generation chaebol with a hate relationship (an internet term meaning a relationship of disgust).
In the drama, Heo Nam-jun plays Cha Se-gye, the only heir of the prestigious Cha-il Group, who is branded as a tyrannical chaebol. He said, “I don’t know the character well yet since I’m still in the preliminary stage,” but added, “I think I’ll go through the same cycle of doubt, asking ‘Why is this so difficult?’ while building the character, just like before. For now, I’ll focus on finishing ‘A Hundred Memories’ well and think about how to take the next step,” raising expectations for his next project.
Finally, Heo Nam-jun expressed his gratitude, saying, “I always feel this way, but I’m thankful that the fans love and support me unconditionally. I won’t forget it. I will do my best in my work.”
[Kim So-yeon, Star Today Reporter]
