[On the Record] Kang Ha-neul "Love is loyalty, a comfortable relationship without effort"

Actor Kang Ha-neul Interview

Comedy Film '30il' Jeong-yeol Role
Introverted Homebody... Rest is Acting Motivation

He hates even the slightest touch. Once, they met like in a movie and had a love like a movie, but the couple, unable to endure each other any longer, decided to become 'strangers.' A month before their breakup, they both suffer from amnesia. Actor Kang Ha-neul (33, Kim Ha-neul) played a passionate yet pathetic lover in the movie '30 Days' (directed by Nam Dae-jung), which was released on the 3rd and has held the top spot at the box office for six consecutive days. He makes the audience laugh with natural comedy. His performance, which goes beyond humor to evoke empathy, is powerful. Kang Ha-neul, who diligently navigates various genres on both the big screen and TV, is a trusted name in comedy?'Kang Sky.'

Actor Kang Ha-neul [Photo by TH Company]

Recently, at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Kang Ha-neul said, "I read the script for the movie '30 Days' in one sitting." He added, "Scripts that read smoothly like that are a kind of jinx for me to appear in the film." He recalled, "I met the movie as if it were fate."

When asked what he liked most about '30 Days,' he answered that he liked the setting that breaks clich?s. Kang Ha-neul said, "I like comedies like 'Deadpool' (2016) that take unexpected turns. I'm drawn to that strange tightrope walk where you think, 'What is this?' or 'Is this a joke?' The director liked it too, so we tried to find that point."

Kang Ha-neul is unmarried. He enjoys single life with his dog. For him, who finds being alone comfortable, marriage is both distant and close. He said, "Many of my friends around me are married. Some couples are sweet, but some friends fight every day. The picture of marriage is different for everyone." He added, "Maybe because I know that, the script resonated more with me." He continued, "I've lived alone for a long time, so if I lived with someone, it might be uncomfortable. The script made me think about practical issues like the bathroom and other things."

Kang Ha-neul, who has not yet met his destined partner, said flatly, "I have no thoughts about marriage." He added, "Married friends say, 'Your destined partner will appear,' 'You will meet them.'" His ideal spouse was clear. He said, "Someone who is okay with doing nothing together at home. Someone who doesn't say 'Let's go out, let's go out,' and with whom I can comfortably rest and have fun at home."

Kang Ha-neul thinks of love as 'loyalty.' He seemed to dream of agape love rather than excited passion. He said he wants to find in a partner the kind of love he feels for his family and dog.

"If I had to choose between excitement and loyalty in love, it would be 'loyalty.' I tend to believe in loyalty. Excitement doesn't last long. Isn't love a comfortable relationship without effort? Even with my dog at home, he doesn't try to impress me, and I don't either. It's the same with my parents and younger brother. It's like that with friends I truly love. Isn't love an emotion that feels comfortable without effort from both sides?"

Actor Kang Ha-neul [Photo by TH Company]

Kang Ha-neul, known for caring deeply for his younger brother, confessed that he becomes tense when visitors come to his home. Being someone who is used to tidiness, he said he doesn't find it very pleasant when guests visit.

"Cleaning isn't exactly a hobby, but it's like a routine. Everyone sleeps, right? It's like that. I'm not the type to organize things in perfect order, but if I step on something, I have to mop the floor to feel satisfied. I mop and vacuum at least once every 2-3 days. I dislike furniture that covers the floor because I can't stand seeing dust accumulate."

He emphasized that his MBTI personality type is I (Introvert). He is also a 'homebody' who rarely goes out unless he has work. He recharges by resting at home to save energy for work.

"I'm a definite I (Introvert), about 93%. (laughs) I like being alone and feel comfortable that way, but acting is a job that requires going out. Now, I've learned how to maintain my composure alone. So when I'm by myself, I end up doing nothing. I've developed a mindset to enjoy rest well and focus on filming. Now, that lifestyle feels familiar."

Kang Ha-neul said, "I get tired when I go out, but paradoxically, that's my driving force. I can finish beautifully and quickly go home to rest comfortably. It's like going to work looking forward to leaving." Then he reflected, "When I go to work, I work hard, but I have a time to leave. I have a home. I have my own burrow."

Is there anyone in the film industry who would say Kang Ha-neul is bad? He always greets with a bright smile and is kind and unpretentious both in public and private. While young actors often put on a facade, he is different. Kang Ha-neul's smile is dazzling and his face is clear, just like his name 'Ha-neul' (meaning 'sky'). He has a kind heart and consistently does good deeds. Above all, his greatest virtue is professionalism. Along with actor Park Bo-gum, he is called a 'good reputation generator,' but he laughed heartily saying, "I want to correct that."

"Let me be clear. (laughs) Park Bo-gum is a good person. I've met him once or twice, but I feel really sorry that our names are mentioned together. I'm sorry. Really. Bo-gum doesn't drink, smoke, or swear; he's really kind. As for me, oh dear... My mindset is just that I want to smile and part without any hard feelings while spending time together in the same space. It's the same on set. I do drink and smoke, and I'm not always kind. When I meet close friends, I sometimes swear. But I just don't want to cause trouble for others and want to make people feel comfortable when we meet. Being called a 'good reputation generator' is ridiculous."