Kang Ha Neul Woke Up Abandoned on the 'Squid Game 2' Set
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Kang Ha Neul explains the Squid Game bully misunderstanding.
He confessed to having a celebrity syndrome moment.
The actor is now prioritizing his own comfort.
Kang Ha Neul recently made a memorable appearance as a guest on the October 15th episode of MBC's popular talk show 'Radio Star', alongside co-stars Kim Young Kwang, Kang Young Seok, and Kang Ji Young. The episode, which served as a promotional platform for their new film, was packed with hilarious and surprisingly honest behind-the-scenes stories.
Kang Ha Neul, known for his versatile acting, didn't hold back as he shared candid anecdotes from the set of the global phenomenon 'Squid Game', confessed to a newfound celebrity syndrome, and revealed why he's no longer the pushover he used to be. It was a revealing look into the life of one of Korea's most beloved actors.
Kang Ha-neul Bullied on Squid Game 2?
The conversation took an unexpected turn when one of the MCs, Kim Gook Jin, jokingly asked if Ha Neul had been bullied during his time filming for Netflix's "Squid Game." With a flustered expression, Ha Neul immediately waved off the suggestion, clarifying that the real culprit was his incredibly packed schedule.
At the time, he was simultaneously juggling two major projects: the movie "Opposition" and the second season of "Squid Game."
"That days, there is a 12-hour rule on filming sites. I filmed 'Squid Game' in the morning and 'Opposition' at night. I filmed for 12 hours in the morning and then filmed for another 12 hours at night. I did that two or three times a week," he revealed.
The bullying' suspicion arose from his creative solution for catching some sleep. After a night shoot, he would sleep for just two hours on the way to the Squid Game set, where he was told his presence was needed "just in case," even if he wasn't scheduled to be in the scene.
"The main filming location was a bedroom. I was told it wouldn't show on screen, so I looked for a corner and found a hidden bed," he shared.
"I fell asleep thinking, 'If someone finds me, they'll hear me'," Kang Ha Neul continued.
The set's tight security, which even barred managers from entering, meant he was truly alone. He then revealed the punchline.
"I fell asleep and opened my eyes, but I thought something was wrong with my eyesight. I couldn't see anything. I waved my hand and I saw a hand," he recalled.
It turned out the crew had turned off all the lights and left for dinner, completely unaware he was still there.
"The door was open. I slept so hidden that I wouldn't be caught. It wasn't bullying," Kang Ha Neul concluded.
However, the global fame from Squid Game has had other, more subtle effects on him. He confessed to developing a slight 'celebrity syndrome', a term the MCs found hilarious. He illustrated this with an embarrassing story from a trip to Hong Kong. At immigration, he encountered a stern-looking officer.
"I always have to act nice, don't I? I was smiling," he recalled.
The officer then looked at his passport and asked, "Are you a celebrity?" Flattered and assuming he'd been recognized overseas, Ha- Neul proudly answered, "Yes, thank you." The officer quickly deflated his ego by clarifying, "No, no, your name?" She was simply asking if the name on the passport, his real name, was his stage name. "There was no one next to me, and it was one-on-one. For a moment, my back started sweating and my ears turned red," he confessed, much to the amusement of the hosts who diagnosed him with a very serious case of celebrity syndrome.
Kang Ha Neul is Done Being a 'Yes Man'
Moving beyond 'Squid Game', the conversation shifted to Ha-neul's personal growth. He openly admitted that he used to be a classic 'yes man', someone who found it difficult to refuse any request from others.
This revelation came up when co-star Kim Young Kwang playfully complained that Ha Neul always declines invitations to hang out, like having tea time during overseas shoots, preferring to stay in his room.
"Aren't we going to see each other on set anyway? When I was young, I would go out no matter what he called me," Ha Neul replied.
"I realized that I wasn't happy and comfortable because I was granting all the requests. That's why I decided to express myself more honestly as I got older," he continued.
This newfound assertiveness marks a significant step in Kang Ha Neul journey toward prioritizing his own well-being.
Source: MBC's Radio Star, Sports Chosun, SPOTV News, Sports Seoul, Newsen
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11 Responses
Left in the dark? Sounds like a regular Tuesday at my pub after last call. At least he got some quiet time!
His story about waking up alone in the dark is so cinematic
It sounds like a scene from a drama. What a dedicated actor!
That’s a funny way to see it! But I think it must have been quite lonely and a bit scary for him, waking up completely alone on such a massive, famous set
It shows how demanding an actor’s life can be.
Left alone on set? I knew it. Those Squid Game producers only care about the main cast. Typical.
He looked for a hidden bed, that’s so smart and also kinda sad. Hope he gets more rest now! True professional
I don’t think it was like that! He said himself it wasn’t bullying
The security was just really tight and he was hiding to sleep. They probably just didn’t see him.
From being a “yes man” to putting himself first, this is the character development arc we all need
I don’t think that’s fair, he said it wasn’t neglect at all, just a funny accident while he was trying to rest.
It’s crazy how he balanced Squid Game 2 and a movie at the same time. That work ethic is next level
Imagine waking up alone in a dark set because you hid too well
Only Kang Ha Neul could turn exhaustion into comedy.
Nah, that’s not it
He literally hid himself too well, they didn’t ignore him, they just didn’t know he was napping there.