My Royal Nemesis has been one of SBS’s standout dramas, recently recording a peak nationwide viewership rating of 10.5%. With only two episodes remaining before the series concludes, many viewers expected discussion to focus on the storyline and the performances of the cast.
Instead, online attention shifted toward speculation surrounding Heo Nam Joon‘s personal life. The rumors suggested that Heo Nam Joon and Hong Yi Seol were romantically involved.
The speculation attracted additional interest after it was revealed that Hong Yi Seol had appeared in My Royal Nemesis in a minor role as a secretary. The two actors also share another connection: both attended the Department of Acting Arts at Sungkyunkwan University. These overlapping ties fueled curiosity among online users, despite no evidence publicly supporting the dating claims.
On June 13, Hong Yi Seol addressed the rumors through her personal social media account. In a statement, she explained that she felt compelled to respond due to growing online discussion. The actress stated that she and the actor became close during their university years while attending classes together and emphasized that they are simply good colleagues. She firmly denied any romantic relationship.
In addition to rejecting the dating rumors, Hong Yi Seol also responded to separate speculation regarding her appearance in the drama. Some online users had questioned whether her alleged relationship with Heo Nam Joon influenced her casting. The actress dismissed those claims as well, stating that both the dating rumors and related stories concerning the drama were untrue.
Although the rumors were quickly denied, the situation drew further attention because many internet users claimed they had not even heard the original speculation before seeing Hong Yi Seol’s statement. As a result, the denial itself became a topic of discussion. Some commenters expressed confusion, posting reactions such as:
- There were dating rumors?
- I never even heard about the rumor before seeing the statement.
- What’s going on?
The swift clarification ultimately amplified public interest in a story that may otherwise have remained relatively unknown.
At present, neither Heo Nam Joon nor Hong Yi Seol has been linked by any verified evidence, and Hong Yi Seol’s public statement has largely brought the matter to a close. With the dating speculation denied, attention is expected to return to My Royal Nemesis as the SBS drama heads toward its final episodes and viewers await the conclusion of one of the network’s most successful series of the season.
Sources: Daum | 스타뉴스
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