Kang Ha-neul Shines in the Thriller 'Streaming' Set to Release Soon

The highly anticipated thriller 'Streaming' is set to captivate audiences with Kang Ha-neul's outstanding performance. On March 17, a press conference was held at Lotte Cinema World Tower, featuring the film's director Jo Jang-ho and lead actor Kang Ha-neul.

'Streaming' follows the story of 'Woo-sang', a top crime channel streamer who uncovers clues in a long-unsolved serial murder case and broadcasts his pursuit of the culprit in real-time.

Director Jo Jang-ho shared his inspiration for the film, stating, "I was influenced by the unfiltered content I encountered on YouTube. I wanted to reflect that in the film. If viewers can watch and develop a more objective perspective on media and personal broadcasts, filtering the good from the bad, that would be an honor."

He also discussed the film's use of 'one-take' shots, explaining, "We debated whether to use cuts or go for a one-take approach. While technical limitations might show, I believe the energy and intensity it brings are invaluable. The key is whether the actor can hold the audience's attention for an extended period. Kang Ha-neul's enthusiasm and energy made it possible."

Regarding casting, Jo revealed, "The character Lee Jin-sung was crucial, and I struggled to find the right actor. I saw a short clip of Kang Ha-kyung's drama performance and immediately decided. During auditions, he displayed remarkable precision in his acting, which was impressive given his limited experience in commercial films."

He also praised actress Ha Seo-yoon, who plays Matilda, for her determination during auditions, stating, "Matilda is a character willing to do anything to become famous. Her energy was overwhelming, and I felt that no one else could match her will."

Kang Ha-neul transformed into the role of the crime channel streamer 'Woo-sang'. He emphasized the importance of capturing the live aspect of his character, saying, "The challenge was to maintain that live feeling. While there was a script, I found that acting often turned it into a film rather than a live performance. I had to find a balance, which involved a lot of discussions with the director about each scene."

Reflecting on the filming experience, Kang shared, "I love one-take films. When the director suggested we go for long takes to capture the real-time streaming feel, I was excited. The lengthy scenes were enjoyable to explore creatively. However, filming one-take scenes posed challenges, as some scenes lasted up to 10 minutes. If I made a mistake at 9 minutes and 50 seconds, we had to start over, which added a unique tension to the process."

He noted that while the script initially seemed to focus solely on him, he realized that the director and the lighting team were also integral to creating the scene's tension. "It felt like there were more actors involved than usual, as we all collaborated on the performance and lighting, which made the experience richer."

Kang Ha-neul also shared his thoughts on one-person media, acknowledging its negative aspects but expressing that he personally finds strength in the content he enjoys. "While there are certainly negative sides, I believe there are also positive energies behind them."

In closing, Kang Ha-neul expressed gratitude for the audience's reactions during filming, saying, "I thought there wouldn't be any moments to laugh at during the shoot, but I found myself smiling often. I hope that means viewers will find the film engaging. Even if there are shortcomings, I hope they can enjoy it."

'Streaming' is set to hit theaters on March 21.