SBS is facing online backlash after giving the Special Award for the drama My Royal Nemesis to Heo Nam Jun, while completely bypassing Lim Ji Yeon, whom many viewers see as the true anchor of the series.
The drama took home two honors at the 2026 SBS First Half Awards Ceremony, held on June 2nd at the SBS Mokdong building, with both Heo Nam Jun and writer Kang Hyun Joo receiving Special Awards.
In his acceptance speech, Heo Nam Jun fondly recalled, “The writer told me on our first meeting that if this drama aired, I wouldn’t be able to walk down the street. Thank you for making that come true.” Playing the role of Cha Se Gye, Heo Nam Jun rode the drama’s success straight to stardom. His profile skyrocketed as the show aired, and he earned widespread praise for his subtle emotional range and magnetic romantic chemistry, firmly establishing himself as a rising leading man.
However, once the ceremony wrapped, the online conversation quickly shifted from celebrating Heo Nam Jun’s win to questioning Lim Ji Yeon’s absence from the winners’ list.
From its very inception, My Royal Nemesis was widely understood to be Lim Ji Yeon’s project, with her dual characters, Shin Seo Ri and Kang Dan Shim. Her performance was credited with giving the show its vital early momentum. Because the series was so heavily marketed and recognized as a Lim Ji Yeon–led show, many argue she was the natural choice if the award was meant to honor the drama’s definitive lead.
Viewers also pointed out that SBS has a clear track record with this specific honor. In previous years, the Special Award almost always went to the main actors anchoring their respective series, including Kim Nam Gil and Lee Seung Gi in 2019, Lee Je Hoon in 2021, Kim Nam Gil again in 2022, Han Suk Kyu in 2023, Park Shin Hye in 2024 and Lee Je Hoon in 2025. Given this established pattern, Heo Nam Jun receiving the award solo struck many as a bizarre departure from tradition.
The criticism is not directed at Heo Nam Jun personally. Fans readily agree that his standout performance deserved recognition and that he genuinely helped elevate the drama. Instead, the frustration stems from SBS’s inconsistent criteria. Given that the show’s concept, plot, and promotions were built entirely around Lim Ji Yeon, many feel a joint award would have been the fairest route to celebrate the show’s success without stirring up unnecessary controversy. Ultimately, the debate isn’t about the merit of either actor, but rather how SBS defines the “face” of its own hit shows.
>> Lim Ji Yeon Reveals ‘My Royal Nemesis’ Had More to Tell About Dan Shim’s Joseon-Era Story
In the meantime, watch trending K-dramas for free on Amasian TV.
Source (1)
