Have you guys ever wondered, “What if Heo Nam-joon got cast in another powerful historical drama?” What could happen if the actor managed to reunite on-screen with fan-favorites Choi Woo-shik and Moon Ga-young? Would this announced casting be most anticipated?
The buzz is real — Heo Nam-joon is in talks to take the lead role for the next drama entitled “Whale Star,” a project that is already bearing a starry-heavy profile with a juicy storyline potential. Fans are waiting with baited breath to witness the famed actor in this deeply historical role, perhaps alongside two more beloved artists from previous hits.
Whale Star – A Webtoon Jewel With Historical Depth
Whale Star is name familiar to members of the Korean Webtoons fan community, which represents a much-loved webtoon from 2019 to 2021. It is inspired by The Little Mermaid, taking place during the time of the Japanese Colonial Period, and detailing a tale of romance, sacrifice, and patriotism.The webtoon was a mass hit, receiving the Presidential Award at the Korea Content Awards in 2021 and truly capturing the hearts of fans with its riveting story and breathtaking artwork.
Historical dramas with strong narratives, such as Secret Gratitude Kdrama 2026, have shown how impactful period stories can be when adapted well.
Heo Nam-joon’s Role in Whale Star
Heo Nam-joon has been cast as Song Hae-soo, an independence activist from Maritime Province of Primorsky Krai. Having lost his family, Song Hae-soo has remained steadfast in believing in the independence of Korea. Known for his cool, steady, and responsible personality, the character goes through a great deal of development and transformation during the progression of the story vis-à-vis the two main characters, Heo Soo-ah and Kang Yi-hyeon.
Such a role shows the gravity of the plot as it acts as a conduit for conflict and emotional depth while providing Heo Nam-joon with a chance to really shine as an actor and explore a technically demanding, multidimensional character.
Other Casting Offers
As it turns out, the production team has reached out to Moon Ga-young regarding the character of Heo Soo-ah, a former servant from a pro-Japanese family, whose life is turned upside down by the independence movement’s trajectory. Choi Woo-shik has been offered the role of Kang Yi-hyeon, an independence activist whose life intersects with the lead characters.
Both actors are reviewing their respective offers and fans are already excited about the prospect of seeing these actors together in the drama. Similar high-profile casting news, like Soo-hyun & Lee Byung-hun’s Upcoming Drama, has also been creating a buzz among K-drama lovers.
The actors’ chemistry could end up being one of the more interesting highlights of the drama and bring another level of nostalgia to the story.
Production Details
Well-known film director Heo Jin-ho, who has made a name for himself through his film storytelling and is able to evoke emotions through the film medium, will be directing the drama. The drama is currently in pre-production, the team is finalizing casting, scripts and artistic direction.
Production will begin in the next year – substantive, high-quality film production that marries the themes of historical drama, serious character arcs and storytelling.
Heo Nam-joon’s Career Highlights
Heo Nam-joon made his film debut in 2019 with Like the First Glass. He has since been actingly consistently and acquiring roles in various hit dramas such Wedding Battle, Sweet Home Season 2, and Your Honor. His lead role in Your Honor brought him a Best New Actor nomination at the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards (2025), thus establishing him as a new name in the realm of Korean TV and films. He will also be lead in JTBC’s A Hundred Memories, scheduled to be released on September 13, 2025 and his on-screen presence will surely continue, solidifying his name as one of the industry’s new and versatile faces moving forward.
Join Our WhatsApp Channel
Conclusion
The prospect of Heo Nam-joon being potentially cast in the main role for Whale Star has generated acclaim from fans and industry watchers of upcoming projects, especially with the prospect of reuniting with Choi Woo-shik and Moon Ga-young.
Now that pre-production is underway, viewers are excited to get official confirmations/updates on filming, and look forward to what the drama will offer: interesting historical aspects, notable performances, and a compelling story.
Being one of Korea’s top up-and-coming actors, Heo Nam-joon guarantees that Whale Star will maintain the integrity of the webtoon’s legacy while giving viewers one of the top, must-watch dramas of the year.
