Nam Joo Hyuk is back. The South Korean actor was officially discharged from his mandatory military enlistment today, September 19, 2024.
According to South Korean media, Joo Hyuk began serving as an active duty soldier at the Army Training Center in Nonsan on March 20, 2023. Later on, he was assigned to the 32nd Infantry Division of the Military Police Corps and was designated as a platoon leader. JTBC News reported that Joo Hyuk's division was in charge of maintaining order, investigations, and military regulations over the Daejeon, Sejong, Chungnam regions.
On social media, fans posted photos of the actor as soon as he left the military base. Everyone surely missed him! Fans welcomed him with some gifts and flowers, too. Skin glowing, smile so bright—Nam Joo Hyuk is really back.
Joo Hyuk's enlistment may seem a little too quick for some as he starred in a Disney+ series, Vigilante, while he was in the military. It was the last drama that he filmed right before his enlistment. So it kinda eased fans' longing for Joo Hyuk but also intensified everyone's anticipation for Joo Hyuk's comeback project.
ICYDK, Vigilante is an action-thriller drama that focuses on Joo Hyuk's character Kim Ji Young's thirst for revenge and a strong sense of justice at the same time. It's an anti-hero drama that would still make you root for Ji Young as a protagonist. He's out to get justice in the drama, even if it means crossing the line...a.k.a. killing people.
What's Nam Joo Hyuk's comeback drama?
Aside from Vigilante, we all know that Joo Hyuk entered the list of our ultimate oppas because of several K-dramas already. Who could forget his breakthrough role together with Lee Sung Kyung in Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo, right? Joo Hyuk also won over the hearts of viewers with the romance drama Start Up together with Bae Suzy and Kim Seon Ho. Then, there's our favorite (and also one of the most painful) romantic coming-of-age series, Twenty-Five Twenty-One, where he starred as a journalist boyfriend to a fencing athlete played by Kim Tae Ri.
With all of his past projects, everyone's stoked to see what Joo Hyuk will continue to offer K-drama fans. Fortunately, we might not have to wait too long to see him on our screens again. Just recently, there have been reports of Joo Hyuk being cast in a fantasy-action drama together with Roh Yoon Seo and Cho Seung Woo, called Donggung (literal title as translated by Soompi).
As per initial reports, Donggung's story will revolve around a ghost slayer and a court lady who will be joining hands to solve the mystery of a palace infiltrated by ghosts. Joo Hyuk was reportedly offered the role of the "arrogant ghost slayer," named Goo Cheon. As a ghost slayer, he—of course—sees ghosts and kills them using a sword.
All agencies of the three mentioned K-celebs have responded to the rumored casting confirming that there are indeed discussions already—and all actors are positively considering the casting offers for now.
Joo Hyuk's Management SOOP noted, "Nam Joo Hyuk is reviewing the offer to appear in the new drama Donggung. Nothing has been confirmed yet." Yoon Seo—who, by the way, starred in Netflix's 20th Century Girl—is rumored to be considering the role of the court lady, while veteran actor Seung Woo is looking into playing the palace king.
Well, we'll def stay updated on this rumored drama. We're looking forward to its official confirmation!
