Nam Joo-hyuk's 'The Mystery of Donggung Palace' Tops Netflix Amid Lingering Bullying Controversy

Korean star Nam Joo-hyuk (남주혁), dubbed the “Nation’s Boyfriend,” officially returned to the screen after his military discharge in 2024, starring alongside Cho Seung-woo (조승우) and Roh Yoon-seo (노윤서) in the Netflix historical fantasy mystery drama 'The Mystery of Donggung Palace.' Since its release on July 17, the series has generated significant buzz. While discussions about Nam’s acting and past school bullying allegations have resurfaced, this has not impacted the show's popularity. It quickly climbed to the top of the Netflix charts, becoming one of the most anticipated K-dramas recently. In a recent media interview, Nam Joo-hyuk addressed both the acting criticisms and the bullying controversy for the first time, also sharing his feelings about returning to the entertainment industry after his military service.

'The Mystery of Donggung Palace' blends historical, fantasy, and Korean folklore elements. Within just one day of its premiere, it topped Netflix Korea's TOP 10 series chart and held the number one spot for three consecutive days, even surpassing the popular SBS drama 'The Golden Agent: Return to the Field,' which recently achieved viewership ratings over 23%.

The drama stars Cho Seung-woo, Roh Yoon-seo, and Nam Joo-hyuk, with Nam’s character, Gucheon, becoming a focal point of online discussion. Many viewers noted his softer vocal tone in the series, which contrasted sharply with the more traditional historical drama delivery of actors like Cho Seung-woo and Jang Young-nam (장영남), leading to polarized reviews of his performance.

Addressing the external scrutiny, Nam Joo-hyuk explained that this performance style was a deliberate choice. He stated, “If Gucheon also spoke with a heavy tone like the other characters, I don’t think it would fit the worldview of 'The Mystery of Donggung Palace.' I envisioned someone who didn’t originally belong to the palace suddenly entering court life, so I wanted to portray the character and dialogue in a more realistic way.” He also admitted his willingness to accept all positive and negative feedback on his acting.

Beyond his acting, Nam Joo-hyuk also uncharacteristically discussed the school bullying controversy that erupted before his enlistment. In June 2022, he was accused of involvement in forced errands, physical altercations, and verbal abuse during his school days. However, his agency immediately denied all allegations, emphasizing that the claims were “completely baseless.” In 2024, the court issued a summary judgment against the accuser who spread false claims, fining them 7 million Korean Won (approximately 150,000 New Taiwan Dollars) for defamation.

Despite this, the “school bullying” label has long followed Nam Joo-hyuk, leading to his near-absence from public appearances during his military service. On this matter, he stated discreetly, “The relevant facts are still being clarified, and I have been quietly observing the entire process. Since the case is ongoing, it’s not appropriate for me to disclose too many details.”

When asked if he ever felt wronged by the incident, Nam Joo-hyuk responded, “I never thought that way at all. I’m not someone who likes to be high-profile or deliberately attract attention, so I chose to let time naturally prove everything. The court has already made its ruling, and the relevant facts are gradually being clarified.”

Regarding whether he felt pressured returning to the entertainment industry with ongoing controversies, he admitted, “Actually, there’s pressure with every project I film, so this time wasn’t particularly different. I always approach every project with the mindset of giving my all, and I will continue to work hard in the future. I hope everyone can enjoy good works.”

Despite continued discussions about his acting and past controversies, 'The Mystery of Donggung Palace' has successfully attracted a large audience with its interwoven world of historical drama, fantasy, and Korean folklore. It continues to hold a strong position on Netflix’s trending charts, proving that the show’s popularity has not been affected by external issues.