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Kang Ha-neul Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 29, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth21 February 1990

Age33 Years (as of 2023)

BirthplaceBusan, South Korea

ProfessionActor

NationalitySouth Korean

Marital statusUnmarried

Kang Ha-neul Biography

South Korean actor Kang Ha-neul built his career on stage before becoming a celebrated screen actor in television and film. Known for leading roles in TV,s

Early life and background

Kang Ha-neul was born on 21 February 1990 in Busan, South Korea. He studied theatre and film at Chung-Ang University in Seoul, laying the groundwork for a career that began on the stage. From an early age he was involved with musical theatre and plays, developing the vocal and acting skills that would carry him into television and cinema.

Career

Kang began performing professionally in theatrical productions. His early stage credits include musicals and plays such as Carpe Diem (2007), La Vida (2008), Spring Awakening (2009) and Thrill Me, in which he portrayed Richard Loeb. He continued to return to the stage throughout his career, taking roles in productions including Assassins (2012) and Shinheung Military Academy (2018).

On screen, Kang’s debut came in television with a KBS series in 2007, and he moved into film with a role in Battlefield Heroes in 2011. He gained wider recognition with supporting television roles, notably as Lee Hyo-shin in the popular 2013 drama The Heirs. That visibility helped him secure a variety of lead and prominent supporting roles across genres.

His breakout lead performance on television came as the 8th Prince Wang Wook in the 2016 historical romance Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo. He followed that with memorable work in contemporary series including Misaeng: Incomplete Life (2014), When the Camellia Blooms (2019) and Curtain Call (2022). On the big screen, Kang is known for films such as Mourning Grave (2014), Twenty (2015), Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet (2016), Forgotten (2017), Midnight Runners (2017) and The Pirates: The Last Royal Treasure (2022).

Kang has also appeared in music videos and on variety programmes, showing a willingness to explore different formats. His variety appearances include Youth Over Flowers (2016), Traveler (2020) and House on Wheels: For Rent (2021). In 2023 it was announced he would appear in the second season of the Netflix survival drama Squid Game.

Military service and public roles

Kang began his mandatory military service on 11 September 2017 and completed it on 23 May 2019. During 2019 he served as an honorary ambassador for the Military Manpower Administration and remained active in MMA events through December of that year.

Public profile

Kang has earned multiple industry awards and recognitions for both film and television work. Highlights include newcomer and best new actor honors for Twenty, acting awards for Moon Lovers and When the Camellia Blooms, and Top Excellence and popularity recognitions for Curtain Call. He received a Prime Minister’s Commendation in 2020. Polls and lists have reflected his standing in the industry, including a high ranking on Gallup Korea’s Actor of the Year list in 2019 and placement on Forbes Korea’s list of power celebrities in 2020.

Personal details and interests

Kang stands around 178 cm (5 ft 10 in) and has described hobbies that include reading and practising yoga. He is a fitness enthusiast who also trains in Muay Thai. He prefers documentaries, especially those about nature and space, and has said he is occasionally a drinker. He has mentioned a cat allergy and a fear of flying. In interviews and public appearances he is often described as cheerful and slightly clumsy in a way that endears him to fans.

Relationships and public attention

Kang is unmarried. He has been the subject of dating rumours at various times in his career; those reports have been handled publicly by agencies and media, and Kang has addressed aspects of such attention in interviews. He and fellow artists have also shared on- and off-screen moments that drew public interest, particularly during the promotion and production of television projects.

Latest updates

In recent years Kang continued to work across television and film, adding Curtain Call to his list of leading TV roles in 2022 and appearing in a major 2022 film release. In 2023 he was announced to be part of Squid Game season two for Netflix, marking another high-profile project in his ongoing screen career.
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Recent Work

Curtain Call

Lead role in the 2022 South Korean TV series

2022
The Pirates: The Last Royal Treasure

Film appearance released in 2022

2022
Squid Game (Season 2)

Announced casting for the second season of the Netflix series in 2023

2023
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Career Highlights

  1. Began career in musical theatre and stage plays
  2. Breakthrough supporting role in The Heirs (2013)
  3. Lead role as the 8th Prince in Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016)
  4. Acclaimed performances in When the Camellia Blooms and Curtain Call
  5. Multiple industry awards including Best Actor television honours and a Prime Minister’s Commendation
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Kang Ha-neul born?

21 February 1990

What is Kang Ha-neul known for?

Actor

What is Kang Ha-neul’s marital status?

Unmarried