MANCRUSH MONDAY: Nam Joo Hyuk
In this K-Drama special of Mancrush Monday, here’s all you need to know about your favourite oppa from Haneul Sport Universtiy.
Playing our favourite swimming athlete in Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo, there’s a lot to know and love about this up and coming actor.
Born and raised in Busan, South Korea, Nam Joo Hyuk actually first debuted as a model when he was 19. A year after, he scored his first K-Drama role in the mermaid-themed fantasy drama The Idle Mermaid.
Since then, he has been on a roll, and had continued to star in many more dramas, mainly Who Are You: School 2015 (also as a varsity team swimmer!), Cheese in the Trap, and Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo as a prince. In that same year, he was paired with Korean actress Lee Sung Kyung for Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo as the charmingly playful swimmer Jeong Joon-hyung.
And while he does say that his chemistry with leading lady Sung Kyung is effortlessly impeccable, Joo Hyuk, now turning 22, mentions that post-Weightlifting Fairy, he now wants to move on from his cute, boy next door image to reveal a more mature side that fans have not seen before.
However, he does admit that he has a lot of similarities with his on-screen persona — in an interview, he mentions that expressing his feelings was never his strong suit, which is why in a girl, his ideal type would be someone who is very emotional aware — “a deeply emotional person”, he mentions in one of his TV appearances, when asked what he looks for in a girl.
He also mentions that after filming Weightlifting Fairy, a personality like Bok Joo’s would definitely be be something he’d appreciate, because of her very supportive character that gives his respective character strength and inspiration.
Aside from acting, Joo Hyuk loves playing basketball in his free time to relieve stress — in fact, his childhood dream was actually to be a basketball player before he realized he wanted to pursue modeling and acting. Up until this day, when asked what job he would want to have if not his current one, he says he wants to coach for beginners.
As for the year ahead, Joo Hyuk is in the talks of getting yet another lead role in an upcoming drama called Bride of the Water God 2017. But as of the moment, he’s anticipating his first fan meeting in Seoul, named “SOME DAY: 2017 Nam Joo Hyuk Private Stage”. Check out the teaser here.
Who do you want us to cover on our next Mancrush Monday? It could be anyone — from a popular to celebrity, to a handsome influencer, or even just a college cutie! Tell us your thoughts and suggestions!
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