Kang Ha Neul, a beloved South Korean actor, recently opened up about a sweet moment from his past that sounds straight out of a romantic movie. On a popular YouTube channel, he shared the charming story of how he met and dated a non-celebrity girl on a subway when he was just 20 years old. His honest and relatable tale has fans buzzing with admiration for his down-to-earth personality. Hereโs everything you need to know about this heartwarming story and more about Kang Ha Neulโs life and career.
A Memorable Subway Encounter
Kang Ha Neul spoke openly about his dating experiences during a recent appearance on Kian84โs YouTube channel. He explained that he often finds himself connecting with non-celebrities.
I mostly date non-celebrities, not on purpose, but I enjoy learning about their different jobs and lives.
The actor shared a special memory from when he was around 20 years old, riding the subway in Seoul.
He noticed a girl sitting across from him.
She was talking to a friend on the phone.
Her expressions and vibe caught his attention.
Kang Ha Neul felt she seemed kind and genuine.
In a bold yet gentle move, he decided to act on his instincts.
He wrote a note to introduce himself.
The note read:
Hello, Iโm not a weird person. I was sitting in front of you. Would you like to have coffee sometime?
He included his phone number.
Worried she might feel uneasy, he handed her the note carefully and left it at that.
To his delight, the girl reached out, and they ended up dating.
This sweet story from Kang Ha Neulโs early 20s shows his sincere and thoughtful nature, winning over fans who adore his humility.
Why Non-Celebrities?
Kang Ha Neul explained why he often dates non-celebrities.
He finds their lives fascinating.
Their jobs and experiences differ from his own in the entertainment world.
Learning about their unique perspectives brings him joy.
He emphasized that this preference isnโt intentional.
It simply happens naturally for him.
His openness about enjoying these connections highlights his curiosity and respect for others.
Fans appreciate how grounded he remains despite his fame.
A Rising Star at the Time
The subway story took place around 2010 or 2011, when Kang Ha Neul was starting his acting career.
He was born on February 21, 1990, in Busan, South Korea.
He began acting at age 16 with a musical in 2006.
His big-screen debut came in 2011 with the film Battlefield Heroes.
During this period, he was a young actor finding his way in the industry.
The subway romance happened during these early, formative years.
Kang Ha Neul changed his stage name from Kim Ha-neul to Kang Ha-neul in 2010 to avoid confusion with actress Kim Ha-neul.
He was studying at Chung-Ang University, balancing academics and acting.
This context shows he was an ordinary young man in many ways, making his subway story even more relatable.
Kang Ha Neulโs Career Journey
Since that time, Kang Ha Neul has become one of South Koreaโs most respected actors.
Heโs known for his versatility in dramas, films, and musicals.
Here are some key highlights of his career:
TV Dramas:
The Heirs (2013) as Lee Hyo-shin
Misaeng: Incomplete Life (2014) as Jang Baek-gi
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016) as Wang Wook
When the Camellia Blooms (2019) as Hwang Yong-sik
Squid Game 2 (2024) as Kang Dae-ho (Player 388)
Films:
Twenty (2015) as Kyung-jae
Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet (2016) as Yun Dong-ju
Midnight Runners (2017) as Kang Hee-yeol
Forgotten (2017) as Jin-seok
Love Reset (2023) as No Jung-yeol
Awards:
Baeksang Arts Award for Best Actor in 2020 for When the Camellia Blooms
Top Excellence Actor Award at the 2022 KBS Drama Awards for Curtain Call
Musicals:
Thrill Me (2009) as Richard Loeb
Spring Awakening (2009) as Melchior Gabor
Shinheung Military Academy (2018) during his military service
His role in Squid Game 2 brought him global attention.
He played Kang Dae-ho (Player 388).
The Netflix series was a massive hit in 2024.
He also starred in the 2024 thriller Streaming.
His next project is the drama Tastefully Yours with Go Min-si, set to release in 2025.
Another upcoming film, Yadang: The Snitch, will hit theaters on April 23, 2025.
He plays Lee Kang-soo, a drug trade broker.
Kang Ha Neul is also confirmed for the Netflix thriller Wall to Wall in 2025.
Heโll portray Woo-seong, a homebuyer facing mysterious noises.
His consistent work in diverse roles cements his status as a Chungmu-ro (South Korean theater and film industry) star.
A Private Yet Open Personality
Kang Ha Neul is known for keeping his personal life private.
He rarely shares details about his relationships.
This makes his subway story a rare glimpse into his past.
In a 2023 appearance on My Little Old Boy, he described his dating style.
Iโm straightforward when it comes to love. I express myself sincerely, like Hwang Yong-sik in When the Camellia Blooms.
He mentioned being from Gyeongsang-do, which influences his direct approach.
Fans admire his honesty and warmth.
In 2023, he also shared that he has no immediate plans to marry.
Iโve lived alone for a long time, so Iโm not sure about living with someone else.
This reflects his thoughtful outlook on relationships.
Clearing Up Past Rumors
Kang Ha Neul has faced dating rumors before, but heโs always clarified them.
In 2017, rumors linked him with IU, his co-star in Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo.
They were spotted at a cafรฉ before his military enlistment.
His agency, TH Company, denied any romance.
Theyโre just close friends from working together.
In 2020, rumors surfaced about musical actress Lee Tae-eun.
They worked together in Shinheung Military Academy (2018).
Reports claimed they dated for two years.
TH Company clarified:
Theyโre close colleagues. They went on a trip with other castmates, which caused a misunderstanding.
Another friend, Kim So-eun, was linked to him after Mourning Grave (2014).
She explained on Kim Young Chulโs PowerFM in 2020:
Weโre like family. Weโve known each other since college. Family doesnโt date.
These clarifications show Kang Ha Neulโs commitment to honesty.
The subway story stands out as a confirmed, personal anecdote he chose to share.
Fans React to the Subway Story
The story has sparked excitement among fans.
Many shared their thoughts online.
A story of Kang Ha Neul, who once dated a girl he met on the subway. She looked kind & caught his eye, so he wrote her a noteโฆ Tell me this isnโt the plot of a fanfic!
Another fan noted:
Kang Ha Neul saying he met his first girlfriend when he turned 20! He handed her a note: โHi, Iโm not a weirdo. Iโm the person sitting in front of you. Letโs have a cup of coffee next time.โ ๐ฅน๐ญ๐
Others connected it to past interviews.
Kang Ha Neul said in a 2014 interview he was with his girlfriend for three years. Iโve been curious how they met. Finally got the answer!
The story resonates because it feels authentic and relatable.
It paints Kang Ha Neul as someone who values genuine connections.
Whatโs Next for Kang Ha Neul
Kang Ha Neul continues to take on exciting projects.
His upcoming drama Tastefully Yours is highly awaited. It pairs him with Go Min-si in a fresh story.
The film Yadang: The Snitch will showcase his intense side.
Wall to Wall on Netflix promises a gripping thriller.
Fans are eager to see his range in these roles.
His subway story adds a personal touch to his public image.
It reminds everyone heโs not just a star but a person with heartfelt experiences.
We use cookies to enhance your experience. By consenting, you allow us to process data like Browse behavior and unique IDs. Declining may affect some site features.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
