'I Didn't Do Much' — Rising Actor Heo Nam-jun on His Breakout Role in 'Brave New World' [Interview]

<style ref="s0">"This is the first time I've received this much attention."</style>

For viewers, it was a first as well — watching a self-absorbed, unlikable chaebol heir melt into a devoted, one-track romantic who laughs and cries over a single person. That is precisely why the character Cha Se-gye left such a deep impression, and why "Brave New World" holds a special place for Heo Nam-jun. Firsts, after all, tend to leave the strongest mark.

SBS's Friday-Saturday drama series "Brave New World" launched on a warm spring day to great anticipation, then rode a wave of fervent viewer enthusiasm all the way through summer to its finale.

The series follows the romance between Shin Seo-ri (played by Lim Ji-yeon), a struggling actor possessed by the soul of a villainous Joseon-era woman, and Cha Se-gye (played by Heo Nam-jun), a monstrous second-generation chaebol heir — a story that begins in mutual contempt and ends in pure devotion. From its first week, the show topped Netflix's global non-English TV chart. Its ratings consistently led its time slot with double-digit figures, peaking at 14.1 percent in the series finale on June 20 — a triumphant send-off. The drama swept the board: buzz, ratings and global popularity all at once.

The Korea Herald recently sat down with Heo Nam-jun — an actor who seems tailor-made for the name Cha Se-gye — at a cafe in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. "Brave New World" marks both his first leading role and his first foray into romantic comedy. Eight years into his career, he still calls himself a rookie, and the success of a project that pushed him in every direction still seems to leave him slightly dazed. Even so, he receives the outpouring of attention with genuine gratitude, chatting freely and at length about the show and himself — a confirmed extrovert if there ever was one.

"I definitely didn't expect it to be a hit. But even while we were filming, I kept thinking this drama was going to be really fun. These days people recognize me on the street, and watching my Instagram follower count go up makes the show's popularity feel real. My friends say it's embarrassing to watch me," he said with a laugh.

His first impression as a romantic comedy lead was, in truth, a curious one. The armor-like suit and an expression that seemed to draw no blood made him look more at home in a noir thriller than a love story. Yet Cha Se-gye transforms upon meeting Shin Seo-ri, becoming the most devoted of romantics. From the moment he recognizes his own feelings, he charges forward without a second glance — an ardent, single-minded pursuit that is impossible to ignore or resist.

"Honestly, he doesn't feel like a typical male lead. Except for Seo-ri, he trusts no one — he's a razor-sharp businessman. The strength and coldness you sense at first glance are things I think exist in my own image too, but the challenge was the comedy and the romance. I worked with the director to try to find those elements within myself," he said.

Cha Se-gye in love is a world apart from Cha Se-gye the chaebol. The mouth that once seemed capable of cutting people with words suddenly produces lines like "Let's get butterflies together" and "You're so pretty~ you pass~" delivered without a hint of self-consciousness. Pride is a luxury in love. When Seo-ri pushes him away, insisting she cannot see him as a man, he refuses to retreat — and it is precisely this willingness to look ridiculous, to be utterly shameless in his devotion, that defines Cha Se-gye's brand of romance.

"When I saw Cha Se-gye, I thought the expression <style ref="s1">'the ultimate softie among softies'</style> really fit. Playing him opposite Seo-ri, I think I discovered more of my own inner softness — the side of me that acts tough but is actually fragile, like a child throwing a tantrum. It was a chance to look at that part of myself directly," he said.

Heo Nam-jun made his debut in the 2019 film "Like the First Sip" and gradually built his presence through strong-impression villain roles and second male lead parts. In 2024, he caught viewers' attention as cold-blooded villain Kim Sang-hyuk in ENA's "Your Honor." Last year he played Han Jae-pil — the fated first love of both Go Yeong-rye (played by Kim Da-mi) and Seo Jong-hui (played by Shin Ye-eun) — in JTBC's "A Hundred Memories," showcasing his capacity for devoted, pure-hearted romance.

When he was first handed the responsibility of leading a romance as the male protagonist in "Brave New World," his immediate thought was simple: "I just need to do my part well."

"My co-star Lim Ji-yeon sunbae is already an incredibly skilled actor, and yet she worked harder than anyone. Even in difficult situations, she quietly gave her absolute best. Watching someone that talented push herself even harder made me think constantly, 'I need to work harder and do better too,'" he said.

Cha Se-gye's no-games-played style of romance has earned Heo Nam-jun the nickname "romantic comedy maestro" — high praise for someone attempting the genre for the first time. But Heo brushed it off, saying, "I didn't really do much." All he did, he explained, was act.

"The writer painted the overall picture beautifully, and the director brought the story to life with wit and a variety of creative touches. And watching the finished product, I realized just how much the crew behind the cinematography, lighting, editing and music contributed. This drama is the result of everyone giving their best from their own position. I didn't do anything remarkable enough to be called a romantic comedy maestro — I simply did the acting I was supposed to do."

Throughout the interview, Heo referred to himself as a "rookie" in nearly every answer. He said there is still much he lacks — that on set he is focused on getting through his own performance and has yet to see the full picture. The way he used the word "rookie" sounded less like self-deprecation and more like a pledge to keep acknowledging his shortcomings and filling them in.

"I still feel like there's so much I don't know — I still feel like a rookie. The reason I'm always honest about what I don't know and ask for help is because I'm well aware of my own limitations. But I do believe that someday I'll be able to act while seeing the bigger picture," he said.

Having taken a clear step forward as an actor through Cha Se-gye, he confirmed his next project before "Brave New World" had even finished its run. He is set to appear in tvN's period romance "Goraebyeol" as independence activist Song Hae-su. There is pressure that comes with a follow-up, but his refusal to ride the highs and lows of each project's reception is rooted in a philosophy about sustaining a long career.

"I think the essence of what I do is to prepare as hard as I can — hard enough that I won't be ashamed no matter what reaction comes — and then give everything I have. There will be good times and bad times ahead. I think the only way to do this work in a healthy way for a long time is to not get too carried away when things go well, and not get too discouraged when they don't," he said.