"Streaming" Kang Ha-neul transforms into a streamer shining with the number one subscriber count, changing 180 degrees.

On the morning of the 26th, a production report for the movie "Streaming" was held at Lotte Cinema at the Konkuk University entrance. Main actors Kang Ha-neul and director Jo Jang-ho attended the event.

The movie "Streaming" (scripted and directed by Jo Jang-ho, provided and distributed by Lotte Entertainment, produced by Very Good Studio Co., Ltd., and co-produced by TH Story) is a thriller where the number one crime channel streamer Woo Sang (played by Kang Ha-neul) discovers clues to an unresolved series of murders and broadcasts the process of tracking the perpetrator live.

Kang Ha-neul portrays Woo Sang, the most popular crime channel streamer who maintains an overwhelming number one position on the endlessly competitive streaming platform "Waegu," where only the number one gets to monopolize all sponsorship funds. Woo Sang boasts a dedication that never lets go of a case once it's opened, sharpness that misses no small clue, and profiling skills that reveal expertise. One day, they begin a dangerous broadcast to catch the perpetrator of the 'Clothing Hem Serial Murder Case,' which is heating up South Korea. While closely pursuing the perpetrator in real time, an unknown streamer, Matilda (played by Ha Seo-yoon), who was collaborating with Woo Sang, is suddenly kidnapped, leading to a new phase.

Kang Ha-neul, a beloved actor who deftly navigates genres and characters in films such as "30 Days," "Midnight Runners," "Dongju," and the drama "When the Camellia Blooms," unveils a never-before-seen face in "Streaming." There are expectations for his transformation, including intense tattoos and a crazed appearance.

Kang Ha-neul said that upon reading the script for the first time, he thought, "What is this?" He noted, "The script itself was written to feel like streaming in the first person. It was different and unique from the movie structures I’ve seen so far. It felt good, and something about it was fresh. I had a strong desire to try it."

Kang Ha-neul stated, "In the film, as someone maintaining the number one subscriber count, I am not just confident but also steeped in arrogance. It's a bit pretentious, and my focus is solely on myself. I emphasize on what I wear. Hence, the costume and props teams paid great attention to that. Though it seems trivial, they provided me with things that made me look sophisticated. They prepared a notebook covered in leather and a pen that I could use by spinning it around. I expressed my character accordingly."

When asked, "Isn’t this your first time playing such a role?" Kang Ha-neul replied, "Rather than expressing the character's personality, the format of this movie was unique. I observed the characteristics of live streamers who broadcast in real time while watching YouTube and such. I aimed to observe from the viewers' perspective and incorporate that into my portrayal."

Director Jo Jang-ho said, "I used my smartphone quite late, and of course, I also came to YouTube late. But once I started watching, I found it irresistible. I became fascinated by that medium. As someone who writes crime stories, I wanted to utilize this medium definitively. In the process, I naturally began to research various crime YouTubers, and that shaped the backbone of the story. I hope audiences can watch our film for 90 minutes without thinking about anything else. After watching, if an event related to this arises, I would be happy as the creator if they think of our movie."

Kang Ha-neul attempted a significant transformation physically, stating, "Generally, it's not easy for an actor to touch their hair while filming. The camera keeps changing angles, and if you touch your hair, it disrupts continuity. Typically, one tries to minimize such actions to ensure a smooth shoot. However, our project uses a real-time camera format. Therefore, I felt I could do whatever I wanted. That’s how the format works, allowing me to touch my hair more and express my face more comfortably. With various actions incorporated, it feels a bit more live, and I aimed to preserve that liveliness."

Director Jo Jang-ho revealed, "From the beginning, I wrote the script with Kang Ha-neul in mind. In fact, there was a brief connection with actor Kang Ha-neul in a previous script. I was impressed by his attitude among various factors and thought, 'If I work with that person, I could create something meaningful.' However, he ended up going to the military unexpectedly, so I spent two years just waiting while writing the script. I inadvertently waited. Although there was no promise that actor Kang Ha-neul would do it, I thought I would offer it to him after he finished his service. But after he returned, after doing 'When the Camellia Blooms,' he had become a very hot actor, and I thought he wouldn't be able to take it. To my surprise, he said he would."

In response to the question, "Did you know the director waited for several years?" Kang Ha-neul replied, "I didn’t. As you’ll hear from the director, he doesn’t speak about himself. He is a very silent type. However, as soon as I read this script, I had no choice but to take it. I found myself wondering, 'What happens on the next page?' so I read it all right there. I felt I had no choice but to accept it."

The director emphasized, "I watched a lot of Kang Ha-neul’s works and repeated them ten times. There has been no work that exposes him like this. I think this is a work that shows a new side of Kang Ha-neul."

In particular, director Jo Jang-ho addressed the socially controversial cyberbullying issue, saying, "Cyberbullying has a negative impression and is associated with negative actions. The time I watched YouTube a lot was around 6 to 7 years ago, and I thought there might be issues related to it. It comes up in dialogue. Speaking personal, unrefined thoughts as though they are truth is also a problem. This is depicted in the film as well. In fact, the main character Woo Sang’s statements are not 100% right. When watching the movie, people get engrossed and start believing that it is true. I think my negative perspective on cyberbullying has blended into the film's context."

Kang Ha-neul also shared, "Rather than my perspective changing after filming, I wanted to express a person who performs highly negative actions but believes they are justified in doing so." He added, "Therefore, I wanted to portray this person in a way that isn’t merely a villain or a bad person. I attempted to assign my own meaning and think, 'This is a fine thing to do' or 'It’s a matter of providing people with their right to know,' but it is indeed negative."

He continued, "I also feel regret regarding my industry. While there are positive effects from many people's discussions, there are also negative effects that come with it, which is unfortunate. When good deeds are shared, there is positive impact; conversely, it is regrettable that negative actions are widely spread among many people."

When MC Park Kyung-rim asked, "What do you think about the good deeds being widely shared? Do you hope it spreads further?" Kang Ha-neul replied, "I am grateful. (I don’t wish for it to spread further) No. (laugh) I think I need to live more uprightly."

Meanwhile, "Streaming" is set to release on March 21.

[Photo] Min Kyung-hoon, reporter