Kang Ha Neul is shedding his kind and gentle image, taking on a completely different character. This time, he is sporting massive tattoos and oozing out pomposity.
In the upcoming film 'Streaming,' Kang Ha Neul transforms into a controversial live streamer named Woo Sang, who broadcasts shocking crime content, diving deep into brutal murder cases for the sole focus of boosting subscriber counts and viewership.
The film boasts a unique structure as it unfolds entirely as a live stream. Throughout the movie, Kang Ha Neul maintains the first-person broadcast, connecting with the audience and creating an immersive experience similar to real-time live streaming.
His relentless pursuit of killers puts him in grave danger—he even gets attacked. Yet, he continues his high-stakes livestream, building extreme tension while still retaining his signature on-screen charm.
On February 26, Kang Ha Neul and director Jo Jang Ho held a production briefing at the Lotte Cinema, during which they introduced the movie and its characters.
Kang Ha Neul explained, "Woo Sang comes across a lead related to a criminal case and thinks, ‘If I livestream this, my subscriber count and views will explode.’ He becomes completely consumed by the chase."
Director Jo Jang Ho shared his perspective, saying, "I see it as a problem when people treat refined narratives on YouTube as absolute truth. The film incorporates critical views on cyber wreckers (content creators who sensationalize and monetize controversies)."
From the beginning, director Jo had Kang Ha Neul in mind for the role. He said, "I had a brief connection with him before and was deeply impressed by his attitude. I knew we could create something great together."
He even waited two years for Kang Ha Neul to complete his military service. He added, "I wrote this role with him in mind. I’ve seen many of his past works, but none have fully revealed his raw side. This film will showcase a completely new Kang Ha Neul."
Kang Ha Neul also explained that he was immediately drawn to the project. He said, "The moment I read the script, I knew I had to do it. I finished it in one sitting. The first-person storytelling was unlike any other screenplay I’d read. It felt fresh and exciting."
Describing his character, Kang Ha Neul said, "Woo Sang is ranked No. 1 on the (fictional) streaming platform. He constantly shows off to the world how successful he is. He’s full of bravado and completely absorbed in his own arrogance."
To fully immerse himself in the role, Kang Ha Neul erased any trace of his previous kind-hearted image. He said, "Woo Sang is the kind of person I wouldn’t want as a friend (laughs). I thought, ‘What’s the personality type I dislike the most?’ and acted accordingly, portraying someone you wouldn’t want to be around."
He gave a specific example of what that entails. He said, "I tried to capture that fiery gaze people have when they speak with excessive confidence—like they believe everything they say is absolute truth. I wanted to make the character feel unapproachable."
The actor explained that even the smallest details were carefully considered. He said, "I made sure even minor elements oozed pretentiousness. Instead of a regular notebook, I used a leather-bound one. Instead of an ordinary pen, I used a twist-open pen, making sure every detail screamed 'flashy.'"
Kang Ha Neul also emphasized how different the filming style for 'Streaming' was, requiring extra preparation. He explained, "Since the film mimics a real-time broadcast, I spent a lot of time watching live streams, analyzing pacing—when things slow down and when they get exciting."
Due to the real-time concept, many scenes were filmed in long takes—some lasting four to five minutes. Kang Ha Neul found this exciting, saying, "It was fun. Even if I stumbled over my words, it just made the performance feel more authentic."
He also shared his long-standing interest in cinematography. He shared, "I’ve always been fascinated by cameras. This time, I experimented a lot with camera work, trying new challenges. It felt like there were more actors than ever on set because of how involved the camera itself was in the storytelling."
Meanwhile, 'Streaming' follows a crime channel streamer, Woo Sang (played by Kang Ha Neul), who stumbles upon clues to a serial murder case and decides to track down the culprit while broadcasting the investigation in real time. The film will premiere in theaters on March 21.
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