“Dear Hyeri” star Kang Hoon recently participated in a photo shoot with Singles magazine!
“Dear Hyeri” is a healing romance drama that revolves around Joo Eun Ho (Shin Hae Sun), an announcer who develops dissociative identity disorder following the disappearance of her younger sibling and her breakup with her longtime boyfriend Hyun Oh (Lee Jin Uk). Kang Hoon plays Kang Joo Yeon, a single, innocent announcer who falls in love with Joo Hye Ri at first sight.
Regarding how his mindset has changed since he first started promoting “Dear Hyeri,” he shared, “Before the broadcast, I was really curious about how viewers would perceive the drama. While appearing on variety programs, I had shown a lot of my real personality, so I was concerned about whether I could convincingly portray a character with a prickly demeanor. I had doubts about whether I could truly bring this character to life. But after the drama aired, I was so grateful for the unexpected amount of love the character Kang Joo Yeon received. These days, more people recognize me on the street compared to before. I feel proud, but I also feel regret because filming with the other actors was so enjoyable, yet the experience passed by so quickly.”
When asked about the most challenging part of portraying Kang Joo Yeon, Kang Hoon revealed, “I spent a lot of time thinking about how to express the transformation of Kang Joo Yeon after meeting Joo Hye Ri (Shin Hae Sun). When reflecting on his life, it felt unrealistic for his character to change completely after meeting just one person. I thought it might come off as awkward to me as the actor and to viewers as well. So I divided the transformation into four or five stages. I paid close attention to the details, including emotions, small actions, clothes, and hair. My goal was to portray his growth through his relationship with Joo Hye Ri step by step.”
Regarding Kang Joo Yeon’s charm, he shared, “I think the charm of Kang Joo Yeon becomes more evident when compared to Jung Hyun Oh. Jung Hyun Oh is the type of person who is kind to everyone, while Joo Eun Ho dislikes that about him. On the other hand, Kang Joo Yeon isn’t kind to just anyone, but he’s attentive to the people he cares about. I think that makes him appealing. Also, in front of Joo Hye Ri, he shows his true emotions—crying, laughing, and being honest with himself. His sincere concern for her and his pure devotion likely resonated with both Joo Hye Ri and the viewers.”
When asked if he has ever experienced a turning point in his own life, just like falling in love transformed Joo Yeon, he commented, “Switching from a basketball player to pursuing acting was one. After working on ‘The Red Sleeve,’ I thought, ‘I can take on a variety of roles going forward.’ There were times when things didn’t align, but meeting ‘Dear Hyeri’ and living as Kang Joo Yeon made me realize how much fun acting is and how happy it makes me. It gave me the strength to continue acting and allowed me to meet many great people. Rather than a ‘turning point,’ I see it as a springboard for growth. It’s a very meaningful project for me.”
On what kind of roles he wants to take on next, he revealed, “My next project has already been decided, and filming starts next week. Instead of wishing for a specific type of project, I want to do my best with any opportunity I get. Since there were times when I didn’t have any projects, as long as the timing works out, I’ll challenge myself wholeheartedly.”
Regarding his plans for Christmas, he commented, “I love Christmas songs, so I think I’ll be at home listening to them. I always have them playing at home when December comes around.”
Kang Hoon’s full pictorial and interview can be found in the January issue of Singles magazine.
Watch Kang Hoon in “Dear Hyeri” here:
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