Encore: An Immersive Guide to Kang Ha-Neul and His Eclectic Career

Disclaimer: Some content recommended in this article may contain themes of suicide.

After becoming interested in theater in middle school and experiencing a moment of catharsis during his first curtain call, Korean actor Kang Ha-neul made great efforts to make his dreams come true. In 2006, at the age of 16, Kang traveled from Busan to Seoul by himself to attend an arts high school. His parents, who were former theater actors, offered him emotional support, but they could not provide monetary support due to their financial situation at the time. To pay for his tuition — and keep his dream alive — Kang steadily maintained a part-time job. 

Despite nearly twenty years of experience and generally positive acclaim from colleagues and fans alike, Kang aims to remain humble in his craft, choosing to forgo the actor label. During promotions for his latest film Love Reset, he clarified this action stating: “I am still learning…people make it sound like I’m complete, and I appreciate that, but it feels better when people call me Kang Ha-neul.” 

From tense thrillers to charming romantic comedies, EnVi presents 16 of Kang’s works for those who are looking to familiarize themselves with the Busan native.

From Stage to Screen

Before breaking into screen work, Kang primarily focused on theatre, appearing in works like The Celestial Watch, Carpe Diem, Thrill Me, and Spring Awakening. His first television credit was in the KBS Sunday drama My Mom! Super Mom! (2007), where he landed a lead role after competing with 800 other candidates. Even after learning how to play baseball for the role and impressing the director with his skills, Kang still had doubts. After his audition, he called the director, boldly asking to be dropped from the running. Seeing his potential for the role, the director convinced him to stay. Following the show’s conclusion, Kang returned to theater, and it wasn’t until 2011 that he made a solid transition into screen acting. 

His first break-out role came with the teen romance drama The Heirs (2013), where he played in the supporting cast alongside Lee Min-ho, Park Shin-hye, Kim Ji-won, Krystal Jung, and Park Hyung-sik. The series, crafted by prolific screenwriter Kim Eun-sook, details the complicated relationships and varying pressures amongst a group of wealthy high school students. Kang plays Lee Hyo-shin, Imperial High School’s senior class president and son to the nation’s attorney general. Lee also heads the school’s broadcasting department and he dreams of working in film production. This creative desire is hindered by his family who pressures him to continue in their footsteps, forcing him to pursue a career in law. 

Misaeng: Incomplete Life (2014)

Kang was thrust further into the limelight in 2014 with his role in the workplace drama Misaeng: Incomplete Life. Based on a webtoon of the same name by Yoon Tae-ho, the drama sheds light on the bleak environment that is corporate. The story primarily revolves around Jang Gu-rae (Im Si-wan), who spent his youth training to be a professional baduk player. After losing an important competition, he had to forfeit his dreams, tackling the real world with only a GED. Through a recommendation from an acquaintance, Jang gains an internship at a prominent trading company, along with three other interns. Kang portrays Jang Baek-ki, an overzealous intern who joins the company with an impressive resume. Baek-ki expresses a secret animosity towards Gu-rae, who managed to achieve the same status with significantly fewer qualifications. 

Due in part to its relatable story, Misaeng: Incomplete Life experienced massive viewership, further solidifying tvN as the network with the most record-breaking dramas. Kang received a total of four nominations through this role and even won the Popularity Award at the 2015 Cable TV Broadcasting Awards.  

Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016)

Following the conclusion of Misaeng: Incomplete Life, Kang primarily focused on films, appearing in works like C’est Si Bon, Empire of Lust, and Twenty. In 2016, he starred in popular historical-romance drama series Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, playing one of the eight featured princes, Wang Wook. 

Based on the Chinese novel, Bu Bu Jing Xin, the series revolves around Go Ha-jin (IU), a young woman living in modern times who gets transported to the Goryeo period after a total solar eclipse. Not existing during that period, Go takes on the identity of Hae-soo, the sixth cousin of Lady Hae Myung-hee (Park Si-eun), which offers her insight into the royal family. As Ha-jin (or Hae-soo) becomes familiar with an unfamiliar era, she finds herself embroiled in ancient politics as several princes fight for the throne — and her heart. 

Dong-Ju: The Portrait of a Poet (2016)

In 2016, Kang made waves with his performance in the black-and-white biographical film, Dong-ju: The Portrait of a Poet. Taking place during the Japanese colonial period in Korea, the film details the story of aspiring poet Yun Dong-ju (Kang Ha-neul), and his cousin Song Mung-gyu (Park Jeong-min), as they fight for independence through contrasting forms of expression. After moving to Japan to pursue a degree in literature, Dong-ju was imprisoned for participating in the Korean independence movement led by Mung-gyu. Despite suffering unabating abuse in the last two years of his life, Dong-ju shunned physical resistance and instead used poetry as an act of rebellion.

Yun Dong-ju’s life was cut short, but his choice to preserve the agony and instability of that time in writing earned him an eternal seat in the heart of Korean literary history. 

New Trial (2017) 

In the year of his military enlistment, back in 2017, Kang added three credits to his filmography starting with New Trial. Based on the Iksan (or Yakchon Intersection) murder case of 2000, this film details the fight for justice after 15-year-old Jo Hyun-woo (Kang Ha-neul) served 10 years for a crime he did not commit. When Lee Joon-young (Jung-woo), a down-on-his-luck lawyer, first heard of the case, he decided to take it on for his own selfish reasons. As time passed, Lee learned of the grueling circumstances Jo endured during the original investigation. His mindset then shifted. Despite great pushback from a corrupt police force and money-hungry politicians, Lee chooses to take the road less traveled; fighting for what’s right even without physical reward. 

Midnight Runners (2017) 

The final project released before Kang’s enlistment in September 2017, was Kim Joo-hwan’s Midnight Runners. Kang Ha-neul and Park Seo-joon lead the action comedy film, playing students who attend the Korean National Police University. Park Ki-joon (Park Seo-joon) and Kang Hee-yeol (Kang Ha-neul), who are the lowest performing students, bond over their shared hardships, quickly becoming the best of friends. 

During a rare night out, they witness a woman being kidnapped, and they quickly report the incident to the police, who are preoccupied with a high-profile case. Pondering their next steps, the duo remembers a detail they learned in one of their classes: The first seven hours after a woman is abducted are the most crucial. Realizing that they are the only hope for the victim, they set out in the night to save her. As their makeshift investigation progresses, Park and Kang realize they are in for more than they bargained for, as the kidnapping is revealed to be a part of an organized crime ring.

Forgotten (2017) 

Rounding out his projects in 2017 was Forgotten, written and directed by Jang Hang-jun. The thriller-mystery film begins with Jin-seok (Kang Ha-neul), his older brother, Yoo-seok (Kim Mu-yeol), and his parents moving into a new house in 1997. As the family gets settled in, Jin-seok can’t help but feel a sense of déjà vu. The sentiment intensifies when his father tells him and Yoo-seok not to enter one of the rooms under any circumstances. 

To keep their mind off the mysterious room, the brothers decide to explore the neighborhood, but things take a turn when Yoo-seok gets kidnapped. Nineteen days later, Yoo-seok returns home, with no recollection of the kidnapping, or events of the previous weeks. Not wanting to dwell on the traumatic event, the family proceeds with their normal lives — but only momentarily. After several weird occurrences, Jin-seok senses that the person who returned to his family is not his real brother.  

When the Camellia Blooms (2019)

Following his military discharge in May 2019, Kang quickly returned to the small screen with When The Camellia Blooms in September 2019. The romantic comedy series illustrates the life of a woman who unapologetically defies various social standards. Oh Dong-baek (Gong Hyo-jin) is a single mother who has newly moved to Ongsan, a small rural town, with her son, Kang Pil-gu (Kim Kang-hoon). Along with raising her son, Oh operates a bar that quickly becomes the primary gathering spot for the men in town. Between persistent gossip from the ladies in town and unsolicited flirtation from her landlord, Oh has her work cut out for herself.

Kang portrays local police officer Hwang Yong-sik, the only person in town who interacts with Oh earnestly. With every new detail Hwang learns of her unconventional life story, he only grows more fond; protecting her — both physically and verbally — against any incoming threats. Over three years, Kang received a total of eleven nominations for his role in When The Camellia Blooms. Out of those nominations, Kang received nine awards including, the Best Actor – Television Daesang at the 2020 Baeksang Arts Awards and the Best Couple Award at the 2020 KBS Drama Awards.

Waiting For Rain (2021)

Following his participation in a theater production, and the reality adventure show, Traveler 2, Kang marked his return to the silver screen with Waiting for Rain. This melodrama tells the story of a chance encounter between two individuals stuck in a state of apathy. After studying for the college entrance exam, and failing three years in a row, Young-ho (Kang Ha-neul), has lost all hope. As an escape from his forlorn present and uncertain future, Young-ho spends his time reminiscing on the past. 

Remembering his childhood friend, So-yeon (Lee Seol), he decides to send her a letter, but it ends up in the hands of her younger sister, So-hee (Chun Woo-hee) instead. So-yeon, who has been left paralyzed from a chronic illness, has no recollection of Young-ho, or the fond memory they once shared. Not having the heart to reveal the truth, So-hee chooses to write letters in her sister’s place — with one condition — under no circumstances can they meet in person. With each passing year and candid exchange, a mutual affection begins to bloom. The initial ground rules become obsolete in the face of love.

A Year-End Medley (2021) 

In December 2021, a holiday romantic comedy featuring an ensemble cast premiered in theaters and streamed internationally on the same day. A Year End-Medley, set at the hotel Emross, centers around several characters: workers and guests alike, as they get ready to ring in the New Year. Kang becomes entwined in the inner workings of the hotel, entering as a simple guest. 

His presence in the hotel seems negligible at first, but hotel staff become concerned after signs arise indicating he might choose to end his life. Jae-young (Kang Ha-neul), who failed his college entrance exam five times, has an overall bleak outlook on life. He enters Emross, with plans to party hard and end his life on New Year’s Day. That is until Jae-young becomes smitten with Soo-yeon (Im Yoona), a customer satisfaction team member who unintentionally provides him comfort via a morning wake-up call. 

Insider (2022) 

As the new year rolled in, Kang was ready to add three differing projects to his filmography, including a gripping prison thriller. From the mind of screenwriter Moon Man-se comes the action series, Insider, which places an unsuspecting individual in the middle of a corrupt prison ecosystem.

Kim Yo-han (Kang Ha-neul), a judicial apprentice, is investigating an illegal gambling den when he gets arrested. At the discretion of his investigation partner Mok Jin-hyung (Kim Sang-ho), Kim decides to up the stakes, going undercover in a prison to retrieve further evidence for the case. Thinking he will be protected from the outside, Kim goes in with little worry, until he sees how cold and unforgiving prison life is. After his and his grandmother’s lives are threatened, a panic-stricken Kim attempts to pull out of the operation, but he soon realizes there’s no easy way out. With his boss, No Young-kook (Yoo Jae-myung), being mysteriously killed and his investigation partner being bribed, Kim must make his way through this dog-eat-dog environment. 

Curtain Call (2022)

Calling back to his theatrical roots, as the series Curtain Call is perfectly titled, Kang plays a struggling theatre actor who is recruited to grant a final wish for an ailing North Korean defector. The family drama series directed by Yoon Sang-ho, revolves around Ja Geum-soon (Go Doo-shim), a defector who was separated from her husband and child during the Korean War. Through great perseverance and a strong desire to see her family again, Ja successfully transforms a small inn into a hotel empire.  

In the present day, Ja has been diagnosed with cancer and only has three months left to live. Her final wish is to be reunited with her grandson, who she met for the first time during a separated family reunion twenty years ago. Ja’s secretary, Jeong Seong-chul (Sung Dong-il), searches tirelessly for the long-lost grandson only to discover that he is wrapped up in a life of crime in North Korea. In an effort to keep Ja’s perception of her grandson pure, Jeong quickly searches for a stand-in to play the role of the sweet grandson that Ja remembers. After coming across Yoo Jae-heon (Kang Ha-neul), a young troupe actor; who happens to be playing a North Korean soldier in his most recent play, Jeong begins work on his impromptu theatrical production.

The Pirates: The Last Royal Treasure (2022)

Eight years after the action-comedy film The Pirates, a stand-alone sequel starring Kang Ha-neul, Han Hyo-joo, Lee Kwang-soo, Chae Soo-bin, and Oh Se-hun was released. The Pirates: The Last Royal Treasure details the union between aloof pirate captain Hae-rang (Han Hyo-joo) and soldier-turned-bandit leader Woo Mu-chi (Kang Ha-neul) as they search for lost Goryeo royal treasure. With all hands on deck, the quest seems simple enough, but an opposing force appears — dampening the wind in their sails. Mu-chi’s old militant rival, Bu Heung-soo (Kwon Sang-woo) is also in search of the treasure, intending to become king of his own land.

Love Reset (2023)

Aside from his cameo roles in The Kidnapping Day and Dream, Kang’s major project for 2023 was Love Reset, where he starred alongside Jung So-min. The romantic comedy film by Nam Dae-joong follows Hong Na-ra (Jung So-min) and Noh Jung-yeol (Kang Ha-neul), a couple no longer in happy matrimony. After only two years of marriage, the pair seeks a divorce, which is set to be finalized after a 30-day waiting period. Given the mutual disdain towards one another, it seems the divorce will go through without a hitch. That is until the couple gets into an unexpected accident, resulting in retrograde amnesia. Will they regain their memories and go their separate ways? Or will they turn back the clock on their love? 

Squid Game 2 (2024) 

In June 2023, the first cast announcement for the second season of Netflix’s global hit Squid Game was released, with a returning cast and some new additions. Announced second in the line-up of new cast members was Kang Ha-neul, who was later revealed to be playing the role of Kang Dae-ho (or Player 388), an ex-marine. In a Netflix promotional video for the series, Kang described Dae-ho as “someone who has over-the-top masculinity that makes him come across as tough, but deep down he is actually fragile.” Throughout the season, Player 388 proudly boasts his marine lifestyle and expresses great zeal when in competition with others. In the season finale, his display of bravery wavers as he’s forced to fight in a sudden rebellion. 

Yours Tastefully (2025) 

Heading into his nineteenth year in the industry, Kang has several projects lined up for new and old fans alike. Kang’s first project slated to air in the first half of 2025, is the romantic comedy, Yours Tastefully (or Your Taste). Starring alongside Go Min-si, Kang plays Han Beom-woo, an heir to a major conglomerate, and owner of a fine-dining restaurant in Seoul. Despite his strong practical knowledge regarding food, Han’s heart isn’t fully in the game. That is until he meets Mo Jeong-woo (Go Min-si), the owner of a discreet single-chair restaurant in Jeon-ju. As their paths converge a flurry of flavor billows and new recipes are developed — including a recipe for love. Other members of the cast include Kim Shin-rok (Hellbound and Sweet Home) and Yoo Su-bin (D.P. and Weak Hero Class 2) 

Wall to Wall (2025)

In April 2024, it was reported that Kim Tae-joon, the director of Unlocked, would be releasing his sophomore thriller film, Wall to Wall (or 84 Square Meters). Kang is cast in the lead role, playing Woo-seong, a man who has achieved his dream of buying an apartment — with a catch. After depleting his savings, taking out loans and using his mother’s garlic field as collateral, Woo-seong struggles to keep up with his high-interest payments. In addition to being rendered house-poor, he is plagued every night by strange noises coming from one of his neighbors. Teaming up with his upstairs neighbor, Jin-ho (Seo Hyun-woo), Woo-seong sets out to find the source of the noise, hoping to gain some semblance of comfort. The final member of the main cast is Yeom Hye-ran, who plays Eun-hwa, a peace-loving resident representative. The film is set to air in the third quarter of 2025 on Netflix. 

Other upcoming projects featuring Kang include Yadang: The Snitch (or Opposition) and Streaming. Stay tuned, as EnVi will have the latest scoop and reviews of these projects!

Ready for more ACT!ON content? Check out our interview with rising Japanese actress Chikako Fukuyama here!