‘안녕하세요!’ A bright ‘Hello!’ broke the silence of the studio as Kang Hoon entered, his radiant smile instantly lighting up the space. Despite a decade in the industry, he exudes an unchanging youthful charm that captivates those around him.
Since his debut in 2014, Kang Hoon has steadily established himself as a rising star. In 2021, his performance in The Red Sleeve earned him the Best New Actor award at the MBC Drama Awards, propelling him to national fame. His repertoire includes Little Women, The Secret Romantic Guesthouse, and A Time Called You. However, this year’s portrayal of Kang Joo-Yeon in Dear Hyeri—a reserved and emotionally scarred character—marked a pivotal moment in his career.
‘Every time a fan recognises me, I think, “Wow, Dear Hyeri really made an impact!”’ he shared, his crescent-shaped smile revealing his joy. ‘There have been several turning points in my life, but this feels like the most significant. Dear Hyeri reignited my passion for acting—it reminded me of why I love this craft and pushed me to strive harder.’
For TAIKER Magazine’s 10th anniversary project, Kang Hoon graces the cover, embodying the essence of The New Era. As we celebrate this milestone, his journey mirrors the magazine’s theme: steady growth, reflection, and bold steps into the future.
Finding Happiness: A Story Beyond the Screen
Dear Hyeri explores an unconventional love story centred on a heroine with dissociative identity disorder and her emotional entanglements with two male leads. Kang Hoon’s Kang Joo-Yeon, a news anchor, is a man who shuts himself off from the world after losing his beloved brother and witnessing his mother’s grief. It’s through the vivacious Hye-ri—one of the heroine’s personas—that he begins to rediscover love and hope.
‘Kang Joo-Yeon isn’t a character who wears his heart on his sleeve,’ Kang Hoon explained. ‘During pre-production, the director and I worked closely on how to convey his emotions through subtle changes in expression and eye movements. I paid close attention to every detail—how he walked, his posture while broadcasting, and even trimming my nails before each shoot. To fully immerse myself in the role, I took anchoring classes and practised by repeatedly listening to news broadcasts at home.’
When asked about his own definition of happiness, Kang Hoon’s expression softened. ‘For me, happiness is knowing my family takes pride in my work—be it a drama, variety show, or YouTube project. Even when I’ve already shared details with them, hearing their excitement when others praise me feels deeply rewarding.’ His dimples deepened as he added, ‘Hearing their joy, especially when it comes unexpectedly, makes everything feel twice as special.’
A Timeless Bond with Taiwan
Kang Hoon’s affinity for romantic dramas has won him acclaim, and his role in A Time Called You, adapted from the Taiwanese hit Someday or One Day, served as a bridge connecting him with Taiwanese audiences. However, his love for Taiwan began long before this project.
‘Before my acting career began, I trained as a basketball player in Taiwan for a couple of days. I fell in love with the food, the scenery, and most of all, the people—they were so warm and genuine. Even with the language barrier, everyone was incredibly kind and helpful. Taiwan has this unique charm, especially at night, when dim streetlights illuminate quiet alleyways. There’s a sentimentality that’s truly unique to Taiwan.’
He also harbours a deep affection for Taiwan’s school settings. ‘I adore Taiwanese films, and You Are the Apple of My Eye is one of my all-time favourites. Chia-Yi Shen perfectly embodies the feeling of first love—it’s so relatable,’ he said with a wistful smile. ‘When I trained in Taiwan during high school, the campus life I experienced was exactly like what the film portrayed. I even participated in morning flag-raising ceremonies. Standing on the field felt like I was part of something special—it’s such a vivid memory.’
Recently, Kang Hoon revisited Taiwan and eagerly shared his experiences. ‘This time, I explored Ningxia Night Market and Raohe Street Night Market. Even though it rained heavily, the atmosphere in those narrow alleys was unforgettable.’
Every Journey Holds Meaning
Travel, for Kang Hoon, is more than an escape—it’s a source of renewal. ‘It’s strange, but every time I return from a trip, I receive good news. My agency even jokes, “Go on a trip quickly and come back—great things always follow!” After my recent visit to Taiwan, I found myself on the cover of TAIKER Magazine. Isn’t that amazing?’ he laughed.
‘This year, I travelled to Switzerland, Italy, the UK, and France with friends. It was life-changing—it opened my eyes in so many ways. In high school, my friends and I made a pact to visit the UK to watch a football match once we could afford it. At 34, we finally made it happen. Of course, there were a few disagreements along the way, but those moments brought us closer. In the end, every memory feels like a treasure.’
As an INFJ, Kang Hoon finds balance in both solitude and adventure. ‘Staying home grounds me. I love taking morning walks, reading scripts, and playing football in the evening. But travelling restores my energy and confidence—it’s become essential to my life.’
Challenges Beyond the Spotlight
Even with his cheerful demeanour, Kang Hoon admits to moments of self-doubt. ‘As an actor, confidence is non-negotiable. I’ve always believed that self-love is the foundation of confidence. Even if some people dislike me, I remain true to myself. As long as I like who I am, that confidence lasts.’
He shared a surprising challenge: ‘I used to dread being photographed. I didn’t know how to pose or express myself. But with encouragement from my agency, I slowly gained confidence.’
‘Variety shows are another challenge,’ he added with a laugh. ‘I’m naturally reserved and need time to warm up to people, but in variety shows, you have to jump right in with, “Hi, I’m Kang Hoon!”’ When I mentioned his Running Man nickname, “Sass Master”, he chuckled. ‘It’s a fun nickname, though I worry older viewers might think it sounds too blunt. But I’m always polite, even when I speak candidly.’
When asked how fans should address him, his smile widened. ‘Call me Hooni or Hooni Oppa! Using my full name feels too formal—just like Kang Joo-Yeon in Dear Hyeri.’
Extraordinary in the Ordinary: Ten Years of Growth
Having explored a variety of roles and experiences over the past decade, Kang Hoon embraces the mindset of lifelong learning. ‘Even during tough times without projects, I never thought of quitting. Luck plays a part, but hard work matters more. Instead of waiting for opportunities, I focus on improving myself so I’m ready when they come.’
Reflecting on TAIKER Magazine’s 10th anniversary, Kang Hoon shared, ‘In Korea, people often see life as a series of ten-year chapters, each with its own unique goals. TAIKER’s ten-year milestone isn’t just a celebration—it’s the dawn of a new era. Being part of this special issue feels like we’re growing side by side, stepping boldly into a new chapter together.’
Through steady dedication and quiet resilience, Kang Hoon continues to leave his mark. Falling for Kang Hoon now? It’s never too late.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/ DYLAN TANG
PROJECT DIRECTOR AND WORDS/ WENDY CHOU
CREATIVE DIRECTOR AND STYLING/ EDIE LAI
PHOTOGRAPHY/ SHIYANG
STYLIST/ CHARLIE TSAI, HONG NA YEON
STYLING ASSISTANT/ NAM YE WON
HAIR/ BLOW_KIM BYUNG WOO
MUA/ BLOW_KIM CHAE RI
VIDEOGRAPHER/ MAZICHAO
GRAPHIC DESIGNER/ ZEN YUN ZON
PRODUCTION/ YUYUAN
PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT/ SHIELD
FASHION/ PRADA, BULGARI, GUCCI, BOUCHERON, BALLY, SHIATZY CHEN, DRIES VAN NOTEN, CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN, LOEWE
SPECIAL THANKS/ NPIO ENTERTAINMENT
SOO MEDIA LEE EUN KYOUNG
KIM KYUNG SUN