A Stalker's Guide to Ryu Joon Yeol
A Stalker's Guide to
Profile
Name: Kang Ha Neul/ 강하늘
Given name: Kim Ha Neul/ 김하늘 (changed surname, so not confused with actress Kim Ha Neul)
Born: February 21, 1990 in Busan, South Korea
Height: 182cm/ 6ft
Education: Chung-Ang University (Theater Major)
Awards:
2014: SBS New Star Award (Angel Eyes)
2015: Korean Film Actors' Guild Awards Best New Actor & Korea World Youth Film Festival Favorite New Actor (Twenty)
2016: SBS Drama Award Excellence Award Actor (Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart)
On MBC's "Section TV" in a segment titled "Section Reporters Group Talk" Kang Ha Neul was praised as being one of three actors who became successful on their sheer acting talent alone. [x]
I honestly can't tell you the exact moment when I became obsessed with Kang Ha Neul. It could have been somewhere in To The Beautiful You when he played a Olympic athlete (who took off his shirt once of twice) or maybe it was in Monstar when he played a perfect student with a crush who sung like an angel (both giffed in order above ^). I guess mostly I noticed how different he was. He wasn't getting these big lead roles, but yet he stood out for his great smile and acting chops. I soon started looking forward to his new roles, no matter how small and tracking down videos of him singing. He has recently gained more popularity for his role in the movie Twenty & 2016's drama Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart.
He came into acting on TV and movies after many years on the stage performing in musicals like Thrill Me (where he locked lips with Ji Chang Wook a lot) & Spring Awakening. He still likes to act on stage often today, even after his success with film, most recently in 2015 starring as Harold in a musical version of Harold and Maude.
<Kang Ha Neul Acting on Stage>
________________________________________________________________________________________
2012- Acting as an Olympic Athlete in
To The Beautiful You
In this Korean remake of popular Japanese drama Hana Kimi, Kang Ha Neul plays the supporting character role of Hyun Jae. His character starts the drama off sort of isolated and throughout the drama shows great character development, becoming friends with the main characters when he once saw them as rivals. It honestly has been a long time since I've seen this drama, but I know that he got my attention and that is what you want ^_^
________________________________________________________________________________________
2013- As a perfect student with unrequited love in Monstar
This drama showed Kang Ha Neul's great singing skills to me. The drama focuses around music and love. In this scene above he is trying to charm one girl while another looks on and this theme goes on throughout most of the drama. And yes this is his voice. He did musical theater so long and for good reason- he is talented. Most people think Kang Ha Neul doesn't have the most handsome face, but once you see him sing, he is stuck in your brain.
Did I mention he plays the ukulele well too?
Okay, I know this isn't related to his acting career but it is important stalking information. (Here is a link to another video of him singing if you can't get enough).
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
He then acted in popular Hallyu drama
The Heirs
I think of this being his first real drama role because The Heirs was highly anticipated and had lots of
popular actors and idols cast in it. Because Kang Ha Neul got cast in
this drama also, lots of people saw him on their TV (or
computer) for the first time. He played a smart student (again), who is a
bit rebellious- with a little crush on his teacher and not wanting to
go to college. He also has a cute little side romance with Rachel (Kim Ji Won).
<Kang Ha Neul acting with Kim Ji Won in The Heirs>
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2014- Angel Eyes & Misaeng
He played the young version of the main lead in the first episodes of Angel Eyes. This role gave me hope for his future because he can carry an episode well. He plays a smart student (I know lots of "smart students", but this is the last one promise) who works 2 part-time jobs and falls in love with a blind girl. If ever you want to watch something but don't want a full drama, I recommend Angel Eyes. I know it sounds bad but honestly after Kang Ha Neul's 3 starring episodes, the drama gets bad. Think of it like a movie sort of. He also recorded a OST for this drama.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
In Misaeng/Incomplete Life he plays the role of Jang Baek Ki, a competitive intern who honestly comes off a bit unlikable. I found his role in this drama really troublesome because he wasn't this smiley cute thing he is in all the other roles I've seen him in. While I didn't like his character, people loved his acting in this drama and he was nominated for for 2 best actor awards.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2015- Movie Stardom
In 2015 Kang Ha Neul had roles in a few movies, Twenty being the most popular and I'm sure a few people have come to stalk Kang Ha Neul here because of his role in it. Well, welcome *big virtual hug*
He plays the role of Gyeong Jae a twenty-year old university student exploring the world with his two best friends played by Kim Woo Bin & Jun Ho of 2PM. This is probably Kang Ha Neul's funniest role. He plays drunk well and gets really upset about his friend liking his sister. He also narrates a good chunk of the film and I would be very content if he would just read to me forever, because I like his speaking voice that much.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2016- Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart
While the drama wasn't well viewed in it's native South Korea, Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart is a beautiful drama that international drama watchers love so much. I love it even more cause Oppa is in it too! This drama really proves he can do it all. He can make you love him, hate him and feel so sorry for him all in 20 episodes as 8th Prince Prince Wang Wook. I remember there is one scene (no spoilers) where his acting was so good- that I cried. I highly recommend.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I didn't mention all of his movie roles, so be sure to check them out and he has played a wider range of characters than just students, like being a criminal psychopath in Missing Noir M and as a son-in-law of a king during the Joseon Dynasty in Empire of Lust. Also check him out on some reality TV shows...he is unbelievably cute and shy.
< from cutie to *shivers in fear* creepy psychopath>
________________________________________________________________________________________
I feel that Kang Ha Neul has a long career ahead of him. He is now getting cast for lead roles which I have wanted for years and I hope more people will see just how wonderful he is too.
If more roles are offered to him in the future I'm sure we can look forward to more diverse roles and portrayals. I honestly believe Kang Ha Neul is one of the best Korean actors and just doesn't get enough recognition or opportunity to bring his talents to people's attention.
Disclaimer: All the gifs I did not make and credit goes to their makers on Tumblr. Photos belong to their owners also.
