Before he was the face of K‑drama hits like Twenty‑Five Twenty‑One, Nam Joo‑Hyuk was a teenager nursing a basketball injury that rerouted his life, leading him to modeling, then acting, and eventually a career that includes a mandatory military service chapter and a highly anticipated return to screens. Here’s a grounded look at where he’s been, what’s known, and what’s next.
Born: February 22, 1994 (age 30) ·
Height: 188 cm (6 ft 2 in) ·
Instagram followers: 20M+ ·
Military enlistment: March 20, 2023 ·
Discharge date: September 19, 2024 ·
Debut: 2014 – The Idle Mermaid
Quick snapshot
- Born Feb 22, 1994 in Busan (Wikipedia (biography))
- Height 188 cm (Wikipedia (biography))
- Dated Lee Sung Kyung (2017) (Soompi (K-pop news outlet))
- Served military 2023–2024 (Wikipedia (biography))
- Exact current relationship status
- English proficiency level
- Whether additional reserve duties are required
- 2014: Debut in The Idle Mermaid (Wikipedia (biography))
- 2016–2017: Breakout role and relationship (Korea JoongAng Daily (English-language Korean newspaper))
- March 2023: Enlistment (Nazaaracircle (fan profile))
- Sept 2024: Discharge (Nazaaracircle (fan profile))
- 2026: Return with The East Palace (Goldscene (entertainment news))
- Return to acting in Netflix’s The East Palace (2026) (Goldscene (entertainment news))
- Paris Fashion Week appearance with Dior (Wikipedia (biography))
Seven key facts, one pattern: Nam Joo‑Hyuk’s public profile is built on a mix of confirmed biography and private details that remain under wraps.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Nam Joo‑Hyuk ( ) |
| Date of Birth | February 22, 1994 |
| Place of Birth | Busan, South Korea |
| Height | 188 cm (6 ft 2 in) |
| Agency | Management SOOP |
| Military Service | Army Military Police, March 2023 – September 2024 |
| @skawngur (20M+ followers) |
What happened to Nam Joo Hyuk?
Military enlistment and discharge
Nam Joo‑Hyuk reportedly enlisted on March 20, 2023, serving as a military police officer in the Capital Defense Command’s riot squad (Nazaaracircle (fan profile)). He was discharged on September 19, 2024, approximately 18 months later (Nazaaracircle (fan profile)).
- His service was completed without public controversy (Wikipedia (biography)).
- He was appointed chief of trainees during basic training at Nonsan (Nazaaracircle (fan profile)).
Nam Joo‑Hyuk’s military stint was a predictable break for a Korean male actor, but the exact dates come from lower‑confidence sources. Fans should treat the March and September markers as approximations until official agency confirmation surfaces.
The pattern: Nam Joo‑Hyuk’s military service remains a key part of his narrative, but the confirmed timeline is still pending official verification.
Acting hiatus and reasons
Nam Joo‑Hyuk paused his acting career to fulfill his mandatory military duty. Before enlistment, he had completed filming for the drama Twenty‑Five Twenty‑One (2022) and a few film projects (Wikipedia (filmography)). No additional projects were released during his service.
Current activities
After his discharge, Nam Joo‑Hyuk made a first public appearance at Paris Fashion Week with Dior (Wikipedia (biography)). He is set to return to acting in 2026 with Netflix’s eight‑episode Joseon horror‑fantasy series The East Palace (Goldscene (entertainment news)).
The pattern: Nam Joo‑Hyuk has used his post‑service period to re‑establish his brand presence before committing to a full shooting schedule. The waiting game for his next on‑screen role is almost over.
Who is Nam Joo Hyuk’s ex?
Known relationships
Nam Joo‑Hyuk’s only publicly confirmed romantic relationship is with actress Lee Sung‑Kyung. The two were reported to be dating in April 2017 (Soompi (K-pop news outlet)). Their agencies, YG Entertainment and Management SOOP, confirmed the relationship.
Connection with Lee Sung Kyung
The couple met on the set of the 2016–2017 drama Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok‑joo, where they played romantic interests (Korea JoongAng Daily (English-language Korean newspaper)). They broke up in August 2017, just four months after going public. YG Entertainment stated the reason was personal and would not be disclosed (Soompi (K-pop news outlet)).
Friendship with Kim Ji Soo
Nam Joo‑Hyuk remains close friends with actress Kim Ji Soo, his co‑star from the 2019 drama The Light in Your Eyes. The two have been spotted attending events together and maintain a public friendship (Wikipedia (biography)).
The implication: Nam Joo‑Hyuk’s romantic history is brief and public, with no further confirmed relationships.
Does Nam Joo Hyuk have a wife?
Current marital status
As of 2025, Nam Joo‑Hyuk is not married. No public records or agency statements indicate a spouse or fiancée (Wikipedia (biography)).
Past relationship rumors
Rumors linking him to other actresses have circulated, but none have been confirmed. The only confirmed relationship remains with Lee Sung‑Kyung (Soompi (K-pop news outlet)).
The implication: Nam Joo‑Hyuk keeps his personal life private. Fans should not expect a marriage announcement in the near future.
Does Nam Joo Hyuk speak English?
Language ability
There is no official statement from Nam Joo‑Hyuk or his agency regarding his English proficiency. Public appearances suggest he has basic conversational English, but he primarily communicates in Korean (Wikipedia (biography) – no mention of English fluency).
Exposure during international promotions
In interviews for Netflix series such as Twenty‑Five Twenty‑One, he has used simple English phrases, but no extended dialogue in English has been recorded.
If Nam Joo‑Hyuk’s upcoming Netflix project The East Palace targets a global audience, more English promotional content may emerge — but for now, the answer is a cautious “basic, not fluent.”
The catch: Without official confirmation, any assessment of his English remains speculative.
What are Nam Joo Hyuk’s notable dramas and movies?
Breakout roles
- Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok‑joo (2016–2017): His breakthrough role as Jung Joon‑hyung (Wikipedia (filmography)).
- The Bride of Habaek (2017): Fantasy romance opposite Shin Se‑kyung.
- Start‑Up (2020): Tech‑industry drama with Bae Suzy.
Recent projects
- Twenty‑Five Twenty‑One (2022): Critically acclaimed coming‑of‑age story with Kim Tae‑ri (Wikipedia (filmography)).
- Remember (2022 film): A drama about Alzheimer’s disease.
Upcoming releases
- The East Palace (2026): Netflix’s eight‑episode Joseon horror‑fantasy series (Goldscene (entertainment news)).
The catch: Nam Joo‑Hyuk’s filmography is drama‑heavy, with limited big‑screen credits. His return with The East Palace will test whether he can sustain his pre‑service momentum.
For similar celebrity profiles, check out our articles on Tyler Hoechlin: Age, Height, Wife, Movies, and Career and Sofia Vergara: Biography, Age, Height, Net Worth, and Personal Life.
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- He dated Lee Sung Kyung (confirmed by agencies).
- He is not married.
- He is 188 cm tall (Wikipedia (biography)).
What’s unclear
- Exact current relationship status (private).
- Whether he will enlist for additional reserve duties.
- Exact English proficiency level.
- Military service dates March 2023 – September 2024 (from low‑confidence sources).
- Instagram follower count and account details (self‑reported).
Timeline
- 2014: Screen debut in The Idle Mermaid (Wikipedia (biography)).
- 2016–2017: Breakout role in Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok‑joo; relationship with Lee Sung Kyung (Korea JoongAng Daily (English-language Korean newspaper)).
- March 20, 2023: Enlisted in the South Korean military (Nazaaracircle (fan profile)).
- September 19, 2024: Discharged from military service (Nazaaracircle (fan profile)).
- 2026: Return to acting with Netflix’s The East Palace (Goldscene (entertainment news)).
“The reason for the breakup is personal and will not be disclosed.”
— YG Entertainment, via Soompi (K-pop news outlet)
“The couple would maintain a friendly senior‑junior relationship after the breakup.”
— Korea JoongAng Daily (English-language Korean newspaper)
Nam Joo‑Hyuk’s journey from a basketball‑injury‑forced pivot to a K‑drama star with a completed military service and a Netflix comeback is a story of resilience. For fans in South Korea and beyond, the next chapter starts in 2026. The question is whether The East Palace will recapture the magic of Twenty‑Five Twenty‑One — or mark a new direction. For viewers, the choice is clear: wait for the series, or revisit his back catalog now.
entertainment.inquirer.net, soompi.com, ozbrief.org, saostar.vn, hot.detik.com, youtube.com, facebook.com, wattpad.com
Frequently asked questions
Is Nam Joo‑Hyuk currently in a relationship?
No public confirmation of a current relationship. His only confirmed ex is Lee Sung‑Kyung.
What is Nam Joo‑Hyuk’s height and weight?
He is 188 cm (6 ft 2 in) tall. Weight is not officially listed, but he is known for a lean athletic build.
How many Instagram followers does Nam Joo‑Hyuk have?
Over 20 million followers on Instagram (@skawngur) as of 2025, though this figure is self‑reported and not independently verified.
Did Nam Joo‑Hyuk play basketball professionally?
No. He played basketball in high school and dreamed of becoming a professional player, but an injury ended that path.
Why did Nam Joo‑Hyuk stop acting for a while?
He paused his career to complete mandatory military service from March 2023 to September 2024.
What is Nam Joo‑Hyuk’s next project after The East Palace?
As of now, no further projects have been announced. The East Palace is scheduled for 2026.
Are Nam Joo‑Hyuk and Lee Sung Kyung still friends?
They have not publicly interacted since their breakup. No evidence of ongoing friendship exists.
Daniel Harper is Editor-in-Chief at Aussie Pulse, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.