Kang Stop Being Nice

- Jocelyn Lee

His “nice guy” reputation in Korean showbiz precedes him. And Kang Ha Neul, who claims to have never lost his temper, proves that the nickname given to him by his industry peers is well-deserved. Like how he’s in town for a promo tour for his new film Midnight Runners even when he’s set to enlist in the army two weeks later. By the time you read this, Ha Neul would be a full-fledged army boy.

The 27-year-old is earnest and sincere, greeting reporters with a cheery “Hello” when he meets us for a group chat after the press conference.

And while certain questions pertaining to his love life and impending enlistment were thrown into the no-fly zone by his minders beforehand, the affable actor threw all caution to the wind and answers them candidly during the Q&A sesh.

A reporter from a Chinese daily starts the ball rolling by asking him how he felt when he had to lie on the thighs of an actress for a scene. His manager grimaces and almost interrupts the interview, but the actor laughs and says: “I felt really uneasy and awkward throughout the entire shoot. In real life, I’m someone who gets a little uncomfortable speaking to ladies. So that scene was very challenging to shoot.”