SBS has come under fire after selecting actor Heo Nam-jun as a Special Award recipient for My Royal Nemesis, while the drama’s leading actress, Lim Ji-yeon, was left out. The decision has sparked widespread debate online, with many accusing the broadcaster of overlooking the series’ main female lead.
On July 2, SBS held its 2026 First Half Awards Ceremony at its headquarters in Mok-dong, Seoul. The event recognized actors and production staff who contributed to the network’s programming during the first half of the year. In the drama category, My Royal Nemesis actor Heo Nam-jun and writer Kang Hyun-joo received Special Awards.
During his acceptance speech, Heo Nam-jun recalled his first meeting with the drama’s writer. “She promised that once this project aired, I wouldn’t be able to walk around outside anymore. She really kept that promise, so thank you,” he joked.
Heo Nam-jun gained significant recognition for his portrayal of Cha Se-gye in My Royal Nemesis. The role dramatically boosted his public profile, and his nuanced emotional performance, along with his on-screen chemistry in the drama’s romantic storyline, earned praise from viewers and critics alike, cementing his reputation as one of Korea’s rising actors.
However, following the ceremony, online discussions shifted away from Heo Nam-jun’s achievement and instead focused on Lim Ji-yeon’s absence from the winners’ list. From the earliest stages of production, My Royal Nemesis was marketed as a project centered on Lim Ji-yeon. The drama revolved around the dual roles she portrayed, Shin Seo-ri and Kang Dan-shim, and many viewers credited her performance with driving the show’s early popularity through her ability to seamlessly balance comedy and emotional drama. As the drama was widely regarded as her solo-led project, many fans argued that if SBS intended to recognize only one representative actor from the series, Lim Ji-yeon should have been the obvious choice.
Past SBS Special Award recipients have further fueled the controversy. Previous winners have typically been the central stars of their respective dramas, including Kim Nam-gil (The Fiery Priest, 2019), Lee Seung-gi (Vagabond, 2019), Lee Je-hoon (Taxi Driver, 2021 and Taxi Driver 3, 2025), Kim Nam-gil (Through the Darkness, 2022), Han Suk-kyu (Dr. Romantic 3, 2023), and Park Shin-hye (The Judge from Hell, 2024). Compared to this tradition, Heo Nam-jun’s solo recognition has been viewed by many as an unusual departure from the network’s past standards.
At the same time, most of the criticism has not been directed at Heo Nam-jun personally. Many viewers acknowledge that he played a major role in the success of My Royal Nemesis and fully deserved recognition for his breakout performance. Instead, the debate has centered on SBS’s selection process. Given that the drama’s story, promotion, and overall identity revolved around Lim Ji-yeon, many believe the broadcaster could have avoided controversy by presenting the award jointly or by recognizing both actors.
Ultimately, the growing discussion is less about denying Heo Nam-jun’s accomplishments and more about questioning how SBS determines which actor best represents a drama. As the controversy continues, viewers are calling for greater transparency and consistency in future award selections.
Sources: Nate
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