Actor Kang Ha-neul / Courtesy of TH Company
Actors Kang Ha-neul and Jung So-min have reunited in the rom-com “30 Days,” nearly eight years after their collaboration in the 2015 film "Twenty." Much has changed since then, but Kang believes that the most notable difference lies in their approach to acting.
“While shooting '30 Days,' I could see that both of us have become more relaxed and experienced,” the 33-year-old said during a media interview at a cafe in Jongno District, downtown Seoul, Monday. “We did not rush and we were able to enjoy the entire process of filming.”
In “30 Days,” which will hit local theaters Oct. 3, Kang assumes the role of No Jung-yeol, a lawyer who considers parting ways with his wife Hong Na-ra, a film producer played by Jung. The new movie zooms in on a sequence of events that the pair experiences during their 30-day divorce mediation process. Long story short: both of them get into a car accident and fall into amnesia.
This outlandish yet absorbing plot attracted Kang, the actor said.
“If I can read a script in one go, I usually end up taking part in it,” he explained. “It was the same for '30 Days.' I found its script so interesting and thought director Nam Dae-jung and other actors would be able to take it to the next level by contributing their own ideas.”
Since “30 Days” revolves around a married couple in conflict, some pointed out that it can shatter the marriage fantasies of young people. Kang, however, does not agree.
“Since I am old enough, I have a lot of friends who are married,” he said. “Some of them argue or fight with their partners every day, but others are enjoying happy marriages. There are various forms of lifestyles and not all married couples look like No and Hong.”
Being a prolific actor, Kang has built an extensive repertoire through a diverse range of films and TV series like “Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet” (2016) and “When the Camelia Blooms” (2019) over the past few years, positioning himself as one of the most-sought-after names in the entertainment industry.
He will also be part of the highly anticipated second season of the Korean dystopian drama “Squid Game," set for release in 2024. The first season released in 2021 and directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk is one of biggest hits on the global streaming platform Netflix, having been watched in more than 142 million households worldwide.
“When people around me ask me how I feel about appearing on such a big series, I just say I feel the same,” he said. “Honestly, I always have the same feelings toward my work and joining ‘Squid Game’ season 2 has not put more pressure on me.”
Describing himself as a “very introverted person,” Kang revealed that he needs alone time to rejuvenate himself whenever he is not working.
“I usually do not seek attention from others, but as an actor, I have to grab some attention to survive,” he said. “This used to be a huge dilemma for me. However, as I got older, I realized that I can find inner peace if I have enough time to recharge myself at home. So, once I get home from work, I always stay away from my cellphone and enjoy my time alone.”
Wrapping up the interview, Kang said he only has one goal for the future.
“I hope I look just like my character,” he noted. “If I am playing No Jung-yeol, I want to be seen as No by others.”
![[INTERVIEW] Hip-hop group Uptown returns after 13 years with new lineup](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/0eae35da5e9c40c38cf439e550a2eb3e.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] ASTRO members aim to shine in musical theater](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/df16760dc50f469d93434f66a069465c.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
