A-list actor Song Kang recently opened up about his upcoming military enlistment, a significant transition in his life and career. He expressed a positive outlook, viewing it as an opportunity for personal growth and development.

“Good. I’ve thought about this for a long time since it is a duty that I must fulfill. Rather than feeling bad about it, I believe I can develop myself better if I change my mindset. I’m making plans to show a better side of myself after I come back. They say that the chemical and biological room is the hardest, but rather than having certain expectations of how hard it will be, I want to experience it,” he says.

He plans to use this time for self-improvement, including reading, watching movies, and studying English, though he acknowledges the uncertainty of being able to fully implement these plans.

“I plan to read a lot of books, watch a lot of movies and dramas, and study English, but I guess I’ll have to wait to see if it gets implemented because I don’t know the situation there. I have a lot planned. After watching a video on enlistment, I think I should go with the mindset of improving rather than feeling like I’m going to rest. My friend said that there is no need to work hard at the gym now because that’s the only thing you do there.”

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No regrets

Song Kang‘s approach to his enlistment is pragmatic and forward-looking. He likens his situation to that of Hyunsu, the character he played in Netflix’s Sweet Home, who embraced his challenging circumstances. This mindset reflects his determination to make the most of every moment, a philosophy he has applied throughout his acting career.

“Like Hyunsu, who accepted becoming a monster, I also accept defense duty naturally. I’m thinking a lot about my mindset, and I think it will be a good opportunity. I knew that Sweet Home was going to be my last work before enlisting. The reason I gave up my daily life and tried to live as Hyunsu before enlisting was that I wanted to do my very best each day. I lived every moment to the best of my ability.”

Reflecting on his rapid rise to stardom, he feels a mix of embarrassment and pride. He believes that his dedication to his roles and the ability to live without regrets have been key to his success. 

Despite his popularity, he doesn’t regret the timing of his enlistment. “Not at all. It was my choice not to go to the military all this while. My motto is to never regret my choices. I have no regrets about my choices, and I also have no regrets because I think I did my best at every moment. I’m not anxious. There’s a gap of a year and a half, but I think it is an opportunity to show a better side of myself later. I’m going to go and work hard on self-improvement.”

A monster who will sacrifice himself for humans #SongKang #SweetHome #Netflix

Song Kang looks ahead

Looking ahead, Song Kang is open to exploring diverse roles post-enlistment, including playing a villain or a soldier. His experience in the military may well provide him with new perspectives and skills that could enrich his acting.

His insights extend to his role in the Sweet Home series, where he played the main character, Hyunsu. He discusses the challenges of portraying a character with limited screen time in the second season and the emotional depth required for the role. Kang delved deep into Hyunsu’s psyche, exploring the character’s evolution from despair to a sense of purpose and sacrifice.

“I thought that it was the director and writer’s intention, so I did my best according to the director’s direction. I think the reason why Hyunsu didn’t have much screen time is because he will appear in Season 3. The reason why Hyunsu was determined to become a special infectee was mainly because he was willing to sacrifice himself, so I don’t think it would have been very difficult for him. Therefore, I worked hard to make Hyunsu more mature.”

Song Kang‘s reflections on his enlistment and career offer a glimpse into the mindset of a dedicated actor at a pivotal moment in his life. Here’s hoping he does well in the military and comes back safely. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Song Kang is determined to make the best of his time in the military. Source: X/@forskg.