More than 4 years after being accused of school violence, actor Nam Joo Hyuk spoke out for the first time about the incident during his return to the screen with the Netflix series "East Palace".
In an interview promoting his new work, Nam Joo Hyuk said he chose to wait for the results of the legal proceedings instead of constantly speaking out to the media. According to him, the details of the case are gradually being clarified through legal procedures.
The actor born in 1994 said that the case is still being resolved according to legal procedures. After the court's initial handling decision, the case continues to be brought to trial to fully verify the relevant details. "I am just quietly waiting. The most important thing at this time is to let everything be resolved according to the law," the actor shared.
This is also the first time Nam Joo Hyuk has mentioned a private life scandal since completing his military service. Before the question of whether he feels unjust about enlisting while the controversy has not yet closed, he said that he does not want to argue publicly but chooses to calmly wait for the final result.
According to Nam Joo Hyuk, the time in the military helped him have the opportunity to look back at himself as well as his career path. What worries him the most is not his personal image, but the fact that the noise can affect his works and colleagues.
I am always grateful for each work I participate in and the people who created them with me. Sometimes I worry that personal stories will cause the crew or the film to be affected beyond their expectations," he said.
The 32-year-old actor shared that the only thing he can do at this time is focus on work, choose quality projects and strive to build each character well to bring meaningful works to the audience.
Nam Joo Hyuk's return is associated with the fantasy series "East Palace", his first project after being discharged from the army. In the film, he plays Gu Cheon - who has the ability to travel between the human and spirit worlds. Along with palace maid Saeng Kang (No Yoon Seo) and the king played by Jo Seung Woo, his character enters a journey to investigate the curse that engulfs East Palace.
Nam Joo Hyuk was accused of school violence in mid-2022 when a person claiming to be a former classmate accused him of participating in bullying during his school days. However, this person later adjusted some contents in the accusation, admitting that the time of the incident and some initial details were not accurate.
From the beginning, Nam Joo Hyuk's side denied all accusations and carried out legal procedures against the person who provided the information. By 2024, the Korean court issued a decision to fine the complainant 7 million won for defaming false information in a simplified procedure. However, this person has requested an official trial, so the case has not yet had a final verdict.
While the proceedings are still ongoing, Nam Joo Hyuk said he will not comment deeply on the content of the dispute but will continue to focus on his acting career, and wait for the final conclusion from the judicial authorities.
