Kang Hae-rim Talks 'Lobby' and Future Acting Aspirations

On April 7, an interview with actress Kang Hae-rim took place at the OSEN office in Hapjeong-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, where she shared insights about her film 'Lobby' and her future goals.

The movie 'Lobby', directed by Ha Jung-woo and produced by Workhouse Company and Film Momentum, tells the story of a startup CEO, Chang-wook (played by Ha Jung-woo), who embarks on his first lobbying golf experience to secure a 4 trillion won national project. This film marks Ha Jung-woo's third directorial effort, following his debut with 'Roller Coaster'.

Reflecting on the film's release, Kang Hae-rim expressed her excitement, stating, "I’ve been actively participating in stage greetings over the weekend, visiting 17 theaters in a day. It’s fascinating to see familiar faces among the audience. Before the release, I was quite anxious, but after it premiered, I searched for articles related to the film and was grateful to see that the reviews exceeded expectations."

She also shared reactions from friends and family, noting, "Many of my acquaintances reached out, saying it was surprising to see me alongside well-known actors. My younger sister, who is four years younger, had friends who didn’t realize I was an actress and asked, 'Why is your sister there?' Even my mom, who usually doesn’t enjoy comedies, said she liked the film after watching it. She even called me to discuss it for a long time."

In 'Lobby', Kang Hae-rim makes her screen debut as Jin-pro, a professional golfer experiencing a slump. She mentioned, "I didn’t feel much pressure because my character didn’t require exceptional acting skills. I think my role was to exist calmly within the film, which was also what Director Ha Jung-woo wanted."

Kang Hae-rim recalled her first meeting with Director Ha after receiving the offer to join the film, saying, "He seemed to think I matched the image he had in mind. When I first read the script, I found the dialogue very detailed. The interactions among the characters were lively, and I felt it was important to absorb that energy and respond rather than stand out too much."

She also reflected on her experience during her first film, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and camaraderie among the cast and crew. "I’m naturally introverted and enjoy being alone, so it was challenging at first. However, I learned how films are made by observing the staff bonding after work. It was a valuable lesson for me," she shared.

Kang Hae-rim expressed her gratitude for working alongside talented actors like Kim Ui-sung, Lee Dong-hwi, Park Byeong-eun, Kang Mal-geum, Choi Si-won, and Cha Joo-young. "It was amazing to see the script come to life. I found myself immersed in the scenes, focusing on my reactions," she said.

She fondly recalled her interactions with Kim Ui-sung, who plays her character's superfan, saying, "He is incredibly talented, and everyone on set misses him when he’s not around. He’s genuinely a wonderful person, making it hard to dislike him even when he’s supposed to be the antagonist."

Kang Hae-rim also shared insights into her character, Jin-pro, explaining, "He’s someone who has always lived according to his father’s wishes, which makes him somewhat naive about the world. I believe he’s in his late 20s to early 30s, and I could relate to him. It’s tough to navigate such situations, but I think Jin-pro manages to cope well."

Before entering the entertainment industry, Kang Hae-rim was crowned Miss Korea Busan-Ulsan in 2016, which she participated in to fulfill her mother’s wishes. "I was shy and embarrassed, but my mom really wanted me to do it. Back in her day, Miss Korea was a significant event, and I wanted to honor her by participating," she explained.

Initially, she had no aspirations to become an actress, focusing instead on preparing for music school and playing the piano, which she learned from her mother, a piano major. However, after deciding to stop playing, she found an opportunity to explore acting. "I thought, why not give it a try?" she said.

Kang Hae-rim made her acting debut in the web drama 'Idol Authority' and honed her skills as a reenactment actor on KBS's 'Love's Controversy'. She later caught the attention of director Jung Ji-woo, known for discovering actress Kim Go-eun, and landed a role in the Netflix drama 'Somebody', where she portrayed a developer named Kim Seom, who struggles to understand others' emotions. However, after 'Somebody' in 2022, she faced an unintended three-year hiatus.

Reflecting on this period, she noted, "'Lobby' was filmed right after 'Somebody' was released. I had to turn down several projects afterward, and the industry situation became challenging, leading to a break. I spent a lot of time at home, but I eventually shot an independent film last year, and time just flew by."

Now in her eighth year since debuting and having turned 30 this year, Kang Hae-rim shared her evolving perspective on life. "I feel like I’ve become more positive as I turned 30. I used to dread it, but now I’m more relaxed. I want to live comfortably, even if things don’t go as planned. I’ve heard that your 30s pass quickly, and I want to walk my path without too much ambition," she said.

She continues to study acting and aims to improve her skills, stating, "I want to train technically like the seniors in 'Lobby'. I believe having skills is essential, especially when portraying characters that are very different from myself."

Looking ahead, Kang Hae-rim is considering her next projects and expressed her desire to explore different genres. "Jin-pro had a lot of melancholic aspects. I’d like to take on happier roles next, perhaps in campus dramas or romantic comedies. I enjoy sports, so action films would be great too. I also love horror, so I wouldn’t mind playing a darker character in that genre," she said with a smile.

In closing, she reflected on her unique charm, saying, "Director Ha Jung-woo mentioned that my strength lies in embodying my true self rather than showcasing technical acting skills. I aspire to be an actress who makes people feel like they’re witnessing real life, as if the characters are living among us."