'Brave New World' star Heo Nam-jun shows a long-haired transformation for a devilish role in 'Whale Star'

Heo Nam-jun, who rose quickly as a trending actor after taking on his first leading role in SBS's Friday-Saturday drama 'Brave New World,' is drawing fresh attention as photos from the set of his next project have begun circulating online. The images show Heo filming tvN's new drama 'Whale Star,' offering an early glimpse of how he may change for the new role.

On June 14, posts appeared one after another on social media and online communities from people saying they had seen Heo Nam-jun during filming for 'Whale Star.' What stood out most was his hair. Unlike Cha Segye, his character in 'Brave New World,' Heo was seen with long hair, immediately raising curiosity about what kind of character he will portray in the new drama.

'Whale Star' is based on the webtoon of the same name. Filming is currently in full swing with the goal of airing in the first half of next year. Moon Ga-young and Choi Woo-shik lead the cast, while Heo Nam-jun and Gong Seung-yeon have joined as supporting leads.

The drama is a romance set during the Japanese colonial period and takes its motif from Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale 'The Little Mermaid.' In the story, Heo Nam-jun plays a figure who provides the trigger for Sua, played by Moon Ga-young, to lose her voice. The role also corresponds to the witch character in the original work.

Heo Nam-jun has made a strong impression until now through intense characters and short hairstyles. Because of that established image, attention is now focusing on what kind of screen presence he will build in 'Whale Star' with a long-haired look.

A graduate of Sungkyunkwan University's College of Art, Department of Acting for Theatre, Film and Television, Heo Nam-jun made his debut in the 2019 film 'Like the First Glass.' In 2024, he drew notice in ENA's 'Your Honor' as the son of Kim Myung-min's character. Last year, he also appeared in JTBC's 'A Hundred Memories' and in a music video by IU.