Rising actor Heo Nam-joon has revealed an unexpected chapter from his life before entering the entertainment industry. In a preview for next week’s episode of You Quiz on the Block, the actor recalled working various part-time jobs to support himself during his struggling years before debuting as an actor.
Among those jobs was construction work where he apparently impressed his supervisors enough to receive an unexpected recruitment offer.
During the preview, host Yoo Jae-suk brought up a story he had heard about Heo Nam-joon’s time working on construction sites. “I heard the site manager said you looked like someone who could carry bricks really well and wanted to take you to other construction sites too,” Yoo Jae-suk joked.
Laughing, Heo Nam-joon confirmed the story. “He actually asked for my phone number,” the actor revealed. “He said he wanted to call me whenever they moved to another site.” The lighthearted confession drew laughter, highlighting the actor’s strong work ethic long before he became known on television.
Heo Nam-joon also reflected on the challenges he faced before finding success as an actor. According to the preview, he worked a variety of jobs to make ends meet, including positions at: beer pubs, department stores, shoe stores and construction sites. The actor described moving from one job to another while pursuing his dream of acting, illustrating the hardships of his lesser-known years before entering the spotlight.
Heo Nam-joon also shared a funny anecdote involving his recent co-star Lim Ji-yeon. The two currently star together in the SBS drama My Royal Nemesis. Recalling their time on set, Heo Nam-joon said: “Whenever the director yelled ‘cut,’ Ji-yeon noona would tell me, ‘Try to look cooler.’” He jokingly responded: “But I was already doing my best!” The playful exchange showcased the comfortable chemistry the pair developed while filming.
Heo Nam-joon has recently attracted significant attention through his role in My Royal Nemesis, where his performance alongside Lim Ji-yeon has earned praise from viewers. Known for his stable acting skills and commanding screen presence, the actor has emerged as one of South Korea’s most promising rising stars.
The drama has enjoyed strong ratings throughout its run, reportedly surpassing the 10% viewership mark by its 12th episode. The series is scheduled to air its finale on June 20.
Fans will get to hear more about Heo Nam-joon’s journey when he appears on You Quiz on the Block on June 25. The episode is expected to delve deeper into his pre-debut struggles, career breakthrough, and experiences working alongside some of Korea’s biggest stars.
Sources: Daum | TV리포트