If you’ve spent any time watching K-dramas over the past few years, you’ve probably wondered how Nam Joo‑hyuk went from a basketball court in Busan to leading some of the most beloved shows on Netflix and Disney+ — the answer involves a timely injury, a modeling career that took off overnight, and a mandatory military service that has fans counting the days until his return. Here’s a fact‑based look at his age, height, career milestones, and the personal stories that keep the internet guessing.

Birth date: February 22, 1994 ·
Height: 188 cm (6 ft 2 in) ·
Instagram followers: 19M ·
Military service: Enlisted April 2023, discharged September 2024 ·
Notable drama: Twenty Five Twenty One (2022)

Quick snapshot

1Biography
2Physical Stats
  • Height: 188 cm (6 ft 2 in) (Wikipedia)
  • Blood type: A (Wikipedia)
  • Instagram: @skawngur (19M followers) (Wikipedia)
3Career Highlights
  • Breakout role: Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok‑joo (2016) (Wikipedia)
  • Critically acclaimed: Twenty Five Twenty One (2022) (Wikipedia)
  • Recent drama: Vigilante (2023) (CelebConfirmed (entertainment news site))
4Personal Life
  • Close friend of Kim Ji‑Soo (Wikipedia)
  • Rumored relationship with Lee Sung‑Kyung (2017) (Wikipedia)
  • Completed mandatory military service (discharged September 19, 2024) (Wikipedia)

The following table summarizes key figures about Nam Joo‑hyuk.

Key figures at a glance
Birth date February 22, 1994
Height 188 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Instagram @skawngur (19M followers)
Military status Discharged September 19, 2024
Debut Modeling in 2013, acting in 2014
Notable drama Twenty Five Twenty One (2022)

What is the age gap between Kim Taeri and Nam Joo Hyuk?

What is the exact age difference?

The upshot

Kim Taeri was born on April 24, 1990, and Nam Joo‑hyuk on February 22, 1994 — a gap of 3 years and 10 months, with Nam Joo‑hyuk being the younger of the two (Wikipedia). That difference places them in the “noona romance” territory common in K‑drama pairings, where the female lead is older than the male lead.

For fans who followed their chemistry in Twenty Five Twenty One, the real‑world ages line up almost exactly with the characters’ ages in the show — a coincidence that added to the drama’s emotional authenticity. The implication: the age gap is small enough to be negligible in real‑life dating, but large enough to be a talking point in an industry that still scrutinizes age differences between co‑stars.

Is Nam Joo Hyuk still in the military?

When did Nam Joo Hyuk enlist?

Initial reports in 2022 said he would enlist in December of that year (CelebConfirmed). Later, it was confirmed he entered active duty on March 20, 2023, at the Capital Defense Command Military Police as a member of the riot squad (Gulf News (UAE‑based news outlet)). After basic training, he served at the 32nd Division Military Police Unit in Geumnam‑myeon (Wikipedia).

When is his expected discharge date?

He was formally discharged on September 19, 2024 (Wikipedia). A post‑discharge public appearance at Paris Fashion Week with Dior followed shortly after (Wikipedia). The pattern: Nam Joo‑hyuk’s military service was shorter than the standard 18‑month term because he served in a special assignment, aligning with South Korea’s conscription system that has required military service for able‑bodied men since 1957 (Gulf News). For fans wondering: he is no longer enlisted; he is a free civilian ready for his next project.

Are Kim Ji Soo and Nam Joo Hyuk still friends?

How did Kim Ji Soo and Nam Joo Hyuk become friends?

They co‑starred in the 2019 drama The Light in Your Eyes, where Kim Ji‑Soo played the older version of the female lead opposite Nam Joo‑hyuk’s character (Wikipedia). Their on‑screen bond translated into a real‑life friendship that has endured long after filming wrapped.

“For me, my happiness is in acting.”

— Kim Ji‑Soo, speaking about Nam Joo‑hyuk’s dedication in an interview (Wikipedia)

The catch: while Kim Ji‑Soo has publicly praised his passion for the craft, Nam Joo‑hyuk has kept his own personal circle private. The two remain close enough that fans still spot them at mutual events, but there is no recent evidence of a falling‑out — the friendship appears intact.

Who did Nam Joo Hyuk date?

Did Nam Joo Hyuk date Lee Sung Kyung?

In 2017, after they starred together in Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok‑joo, dating rumors erupted. Reports claimed they were in a relationship, but neither agency issued a formal confirmation (Wikipedia). The pair reportedly broke up due to busy schedules, though the timeline remains unsubstantiated. For the record, there is no official statement from either side.

Is Nam Joo Hyuk married?

No. As of early 2025, Nam Joo‑hyuk has never been married, and he has not publicly confirmed any current relationship.

What this means

Most of what the internet believes about his dating life is based on rumor, not on‑the‑record admissions. If you are looking for a confirmed relationship, there is none — and that is exactly what the agencies maintain.

The implication: without official confirmation, any speculation remains just that.

What are Nam Joo Hyuk’s most popular dramas?

What is Nam Joo Hyuk’s upcoming drama?

His filmography includes several breakthrough roles:

  • Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok‑joo (2016) — the role that made him a household name (Wikipedia)
  • The Bride of Habaek (2017) — fantasy romance (Wikipedia)
  • The Light in Your Eyes (2019) — time‑bending drama (Wikipedia)
  • Twenty Five Twenty One (2022) — critical and commercial peak (Wikipedia)
  • Vigilante (2023) — his latest project before enlistment, a Disney+ original series (CelebConfirmed)

The pattern: each drama has pushed his range further, from lighthearted sports‑comedy to intense revenge thriller. Post‑discharge, no new project has been officially announced, but industry watchers expect a high‑profile return.

How tall is Nam Joo Hyuk?

Who is Nam Joo Hyuk’s father?

Nam Joo‑hyuk stands at 188 cm (6 ft 2 in) (Wikipedia). His height — a major asset in his modeling career — is often a point of curiosity for fans.

Information about his father is not publicly available; the actor has never disclosed his father’s identity or profession, and no credible source has provided details. The trade‑off: while his physical stats are well‑documented, his family background remains firmly in the private sphere.

Timeline: Nam Joo‑hyuk’s career and military service

  • February 22, 1994 — Born in Busan, South Korea (Wikipedia)
  • 2013 — Began modeling career (Wikipedia)
  • 2014 — Acting debut in The Idle Mermaid (Wikipedia)
  • 2015 — Breakout in Who Are You: School 2015 (Wikipedia)
  • 2016 — Lead role in Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok‑joo (Wikipedia)
  • 2017 — Starred in The Bride of Habaek; dating rumors with Lee Sung‑Kyung (Wikipedia)
  • 2019 — Co‑starred with Kim Ji‑Soo in The Light in Your Eyes (Wikipedia)
  • 2022 — Lead role in Twenty Five Twenty One (Wikipedia)
  • March 20, 2023 — Enlisted in military police riot squad (Gulf News)
  • September 19, 2024 — Discharged from service (Wikipedia)
Why this matters

The timeline shows a clear arc: from athlete to model to actor to soldier — and now back to civilian. For an actor who debuted less than a decade ago, that is an unusually packed resume, and each phase carries implications for his next career move.

The arc indicates that Nam Joo‑hyuk’s military service is now fully behind him, freeing him for high‑stakes career decisions.

What’s confirmed and what’s not

Confirmed facts

  • Birth date and height (Wikipedia)
  • Military enlistment on March 20, 2023 and discharge on September 19, 2024 (Gulf News)
  • Drama filmography (Wikipedia)
  • Instagram handle @skawngur with 19M followers (Wikipedia)
  • Post‑discharge appearance at Paris Fashion Week with Dior (Wikipedia)

What’s unclear

  • Current relationship status (no confirmed partner)
  • Exact dating timeline with Lee Sung‑Kyung (agencies never confirmed)
  • Father’s identity or profession (no public information)
  • Next acting project after discharge
  • Potential Hollywood projects after military service

The distinction between confirmed and unclear facts helps readers separate verified data from persistent rumors.

Quotes that frame the actor’s mindset

“For me, my happiness is in acting.”

— Kim Ji‑Soo, speaking about Nam Joo‑hyuk’s dedication (Wikipedia)

“He will fulfill his military service faithfully and return to greet fans with good health.”

— Nam Joo‑hyuk’s agency, statement ahead of his enlistment (CelebConfirmed)

The pattern: both the co‑star and the agency describe him as someone who dedicates himself fully to his craft. That intensity — whether on set or in uniform — is the thread that connects his career and personal life.

Summary: What comes next for Nam Joo‑hyuk?

Now discharged and back in the public eye — his first stop was Paris Fashion Week — Nam Joo‑hyuk stands at a career inflection point. He has completed the mandatory service that every South Korean male citizen must fulfill, and he has the freedom to choose his next role without the pressure of a looming enlistment deadline. For the fans who followed his journey from basketball hopeful to global star, the clear takeaway is this: he is returning to an industry that remembers his peak, and the pressure to top Twenty Five Twenty One will be intense. For Nam Joo‑hyuk, the choice is between a safe crowd‑pleaser and a risky, boundary‑pushing project — and his history suggests he’ll opt for the latter.

Additional sources

youtube.com, asianwiki.com

Frequently asked questions

What is Nam Joo Hyuk’s real name?

His stage name is also his real name: Nam Joo‑hyuk. He has not publicly used a different birth name.

When did Nam Joo Hyuk start modeling?

He began his modeling career in 2013 (Wikipedia).

What was Nam Joo Hyuk’s first drama?

His acting debut was in the 2014 drama The Idle Mermaid (Wikipedia).

How many Instagram followers does Nam Joo Hyuk have?

As of early 2025, his Instagram account @skawngur has approximately 19 million followers (Wikipedia).

What is Nam Joo Hyuk’s nationality?

He is South Korean (Wikipedia).

What is Nam Joo Hyuk’s height in centimeters?

188 cm (6 ft 2 in) (Wikipedia).

Is Nam Joo Hyuk dating anyone now?

There is no confirmed current relationship. He has not publicly discussed his romantic life since the rumored Lee Sung‑Kyung dating reports in 2017.