Kang Ha-neul is a South Korean actor. He is well-known for his appearance in the South Korean TV series ‘The Heirs’ (2013), ‘Misaeng: Incomplete Life’ (2014), ‘Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo’ (2016), and ‘When the Camellia Blooms’ (2019). In 2023, he was announced to appear in the second season of the popular Netflix South Korean survival drama series ‘Squid Game.’
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Kang Ha-neul was born as Kim Ha-neul on Wednesday, 21 February 1990 (age 33 years; as of 2023) in Busan, South Korea. His zodiac sign is Pisces. He studied theatre and film at the Chung-Ang University.
A childhood image of Kang Ha-neul
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 10″
Weight (approx.): 70 kg
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Body Measurements (approx.): Chest: 40″, Waist: 30″, Biceps: 12″
Family
Parents & Siblings
There is not much information about his parents and siblings.
Wife
He is unmarried.
Relationships/Affairs
IU
Kang Ha-neul and IU, a famous South Korean singer, were rumoured to be dating each other after they were cast in lead roles opposite each other in the 2016 South Korean TV series ‘Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo.’ Their on-screen chemistry gained a lot of attention; however, both said they were just good friends. On 10 September 2017, IU and Kang Ha-neul were reportedly spotted at a cafe, one day before he enlisted in the Korean army. After their meeting, dating rumours began to pop up; later, Kang Ha-neul’s agency denied all those rumours by saying that he did meet IU at a cafe, but they were not involved in anything romantic. [1]Soompi
Kang Ha-neul with IU
Lee Tae-eun
In 2020, Kang Ha-neul was rumoured to be dating a South Korean musical actress named Lee Tae-eun. They have worked together in three musicals, ‘Hinheung Military Academy,’ ‘Paldo,’ and ‘Napal.’ Kang Ha-neul’s agency denied that they were not dating each other; however, the agency accepted the fact that they went on a trip together. They allegedly broke up after two years of dating. [2]Koreaboo
Kang Ha-neul with Lee Tae-eun
Signature/Autograph
Career
Theatre
He began his acting career with musical theatrical productions and stage plays. In 2006, he acted in his debut play titled ‘The Celestial Watch’ in which he played the role of Jang Young-shil. In 2009, he appeared as Richard Loeb in the musical ‘Thrill Me.’ He has acted in many musicals and stage plays including ‘Carpe Diem’ (2007), ‘La Vida’ (2008), ‘Spring Awakening’ (2009), ‘Assassins’ (2012), and ‘Shinheung Military Academy’ (2018).
Kang Ha-neul (right) as Paldo in the 2018 army musical ‘Shinheung Military Academy’
Television
TV Shows
In 2007, he debuted in the South Korean TV industry with the South Korean TV show ‘My Mom! Super Mom!’ in which he appeared as Choi Hoon.
Poster of the 2007 South Korean show ‘My Mom! Super Mom!’
In 2013, he appeared in a cameo role as Kim Sung-joon in the TV series ‘Two Weeks.’ In the same year, he gained popularity after playing the supporting role of Lee Hyo-shin, son of an attorney general, who runs his school’s broadcasting system, in the popular TV series ‘The Heirs.’ He is best known for portraying the lead character of 8th Prince Wang Wook in the 2016 South Korean TV series ‘Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo,’ which is based on the Chinese novel ‘Bu Bu Jing Xin.’ He has worked in many TV series including ‘Misaeng: Incomplete Life’ (2014), ‘When the Camellia Blooms’ (2019), and ‘Curtain Call’ (2022).
Reality Shows
He has been featured in many South Korean variety TV shows ‘Youth Over Flowers’ (2016), ‘Traveler’ (2020), and ‘House on Wheels: For Rent’ (2021).
Film
In 2011, he debuted with the South Korean war comedy film ‘Battlefield Heroes’ as Yeon Namsan.
Kang Ha-neul in a still from the 2011 South Korean film ‘Battlefield Heroes’
He is famous for playing the role of Kang Hee-yeol, a nerdy guy, alongside actor Park Seo-joon in the 2017 South Korean action comedy film ‘Midnight Runners.’ Some of his notable films are ‘Mourning Grave’ (2014), ‘Twenty’ (2015), ‘Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet’ (2016), ‘New Trial’ (2017), ‘Forgotten’ (2017), and ‘The Pirates: The Last Royal Treasure’ (2022).
Music Videos
In 2007, he appeared in the music video of the song ‘Still Pretty Today’ by the South Korean R&B duo ‘Fly to the Sky.’ He was featured in the 2017 song ‘Lost One’ music video by the South Korean hip-hop trio ‘Epik High.’
Kang Ha-neul in a still from the music video of the song ‘Lost One’ by Epik High
Awards, Honours, Achievements
Awards
- 2014: New Star Award for the 2014 South Korean series ‘Angel Eyes’ at the SBS Drama Awards
- 2015: Newcomer Award for the 2015 South Korean film ‘Twenty’ at the Golden Cinematography Awards
- 2015: Best New Actor for the film ‘Twenty’ at the Korean Film Actors’ Guild Awards
- 2015: Favorite New Actor for the film ‘Twenty’ at the Korea World Youth Film Festival
- 2015: Star Award – Actor for the 2014 South Korean TV series ‘Misaeng: Incomplete Life’ at the Cable TV Broadcasting Awards
- 2016: CF Star Award at the MTN Broadcast Advertisement Festival
- 2016: Best New Actor for the film ‘Twenty’ at the Chunsa Film Art Awards
- 2016: CINE ICON Award for the film ‘Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet’ at the CINE ICON: KT&G Sangsangmadan Exhibition
- 2016: Excellence Award, Actor in a Fantasy Drama for the 2016 South Korean TV series ‘Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo’ at the SBS Drama Awards
- 2019: Top Excellence Award – Actor for the South Korean TV series ‘When the Camellia Blooms’ at the KBS Drama Awards
- 2019: Netizen Award for the TV series ‘When the Camellia Blooms’ at the KBS Drama Awards
- 2019: Best Couple Award (with actress Gong Hyo-jin) for the TV series ‘When the Camellia Blooms’ at the KBS Drama Awards
- 2019: Best Actor or the TV series ‘When the Camellia Blooms’ at the Korea First Brand Awards
- 2020: Best Actor – Television Award for the TV series ‘When the Camellia Blooms’ at the Baeksang Arts Awards
Kang Ha-neul with Baeksang Award in 2020
- 2020: Male Actor Drama Category Award for the TV series ‘When the Camellia Blooms’ at the Brand Customer Loyalty Awards
- 2020: Outstanding Korean Actor Award for ‘When the Camellia Blooms’ at the Seoul International Drama Awards
- 2020: Actor Award for the TV series ‘When the Camellia Blooms’ at the Korea Broadcasting Awards
Kang Ha-neul with the Korea Broadcasting Award
- 2021: Top Excellence Award – Actor in a Miniseries Award for the 2019 South Korean TV series ‘When the Camellia Blooms’ at the APAN Star Awards
- 2022: Top Excellence Award – Actor and Popularity Award – Actor for the South Korean TV series ‘Curtain Call’ at the KBS Drama Awards
- 2022: Best Couple Award (with actress Ha Ji-won) for the TV series ‘Curtain Call’ at the KBS Drama Awards
Honours
- 2020: Honoured with Prime Minister’s Commendation
Kang Ha-neul with Prime Minister’s Commendation
Achievements
- 2019: Ranked 2nd on Gallup Korea’s Actor of the Year list
- 2020: 23rd position on Korea Power Celebrity list by Forbes
- 2023: 2nd on ‘The 50 people who made KBS shine’ list by KBS
Favourites
- Actor: Bill Nighy
- Film: Schindler’s List (1993)
- Singer: Son Dam-bi
- Song: ‘Glass of Soju’ by Im Chang-jung
- Food: Kongbiji Jjigae
- Drink: Ice Americano
- Book: ‘Who Knows If It’s Good or Bad’ by Ryu Si-hwa
- Sport: Yoga
- Clothing: Tracksuits
Facts/Trivia
- Kang Ha-neul is often referred to as Energeuni. [3]YouTube – Reporter Eun’s LIT NEWS
- In his leisure time, he likes to read books and practice yoga. He started practising yoga to increase body flexibility for learning Muay Thai.
- During a press conference for the 2015 South Korean film ‘Twenty,’ Kang Ha-neul’s co-actor in the film and famous South Korean actor Kim Woo-bin apologized on behalf of Ha-neul’s disruptive and loud behaviour one night after they finished their shoot for the film. While sharing the funny story about Ha-neul’s behaviour after consuming alcohol, Woo-bin said,
After drinking a lot, Kang Ha-neul was yelling in front of the housing where the film staff was staying. When Kang Ha Neul drinks, he usually does not behave differently, but he must have been in a good mood that day. He went from one store to the next drinking alcohol (at each stop). After that, while in front of our lodging, he shouted. I’m from Jeonju. I want to apologize to the people of Jeonju.” [4]Soompi
- On 11 September 2017, he enlisted in the South Korean military to serve his mandatory military service and was discharged on 23 May 2019.
- On 22 February 2019, he was appointed to the position of honorary ambassador of the Military Manpower Administration (MMA). Even after the end of his mandatory military service in May 2019, he took part in the events organised by the MMA till December 2019.
Kang Ha-neul being appointed as the honorary ambassador of the South Korean Military Manpower Administration
- He is allergic to cats.
- If he raises a dog, he would like to name it ‘Yoru’ (night) or ‘Negoto’ (nonsense).
- Reportedly, he is scared of flying in planes.
- Ha-neul is well-known for his cheerful and clumsy personality. He does not like serious settings and has a tendency to do clumsy things to make people laugh. [5]Koreaboo
- According to Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), his personality type is INFP (Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Perceiving).
- He likes to watch documentaries more than films; especially documentaries related to nature and space.
- In an interview, he revealed that he used to get bullied at school for being overweighed (100 kg). [6]Soompi
- He follows a non-vegetarian diet.
Kang Ha-neul having a non-vegetarian meal
