Song Kang looked back on the difficult feedback he received early in his acting career and how he eventually turned rejection into motivation.
During a recent appearance with Yoo Jae Suk, Song Kang revealed that he once heard a blunt comment during an audition.
He recalled being told, “You’re handsome, but you have no charm.”
Yoo Jae Suk pointed out that hearing something like that directly could have been upsetting, but Song Kang said he tried to approach the criticism differently.
Song Kang explained, “I was taken aback, but everyone sees things differently, so I thought a lot about how I could show my own charm.”
Rather than becoming discouraged, he said the experience pushed him to work on presenting himself with more confidence. Yoo Jae Suk agreed that although such comments can be difficult to hear at first, they can sometimes help an actor recognize areas they want to improve.
Song Kang later earned his major breakthrough after reportedly beating competition of around 900 to 1 for the lead role in Netflix’s Love Alarm.
Recalling the moment he learned he had been cast, Song Kang said, “I was so happy. I was at a dermatology clinic when I received the call saying I got the role. My heart kept racing even while I was getting treatment. I was so happy on the way home.”
According to Song Kang, the director later told him that his confidence during the audition helped him stand out. He recalled the director saying, “You seemed like the person who wouldn’t become discouraged no matter what anyone said,” adding that this quality matched the character.
The success of Love Alarm was followed by Netflix’s Sweet Home, further raising Song Kang’s profile and helping him build a large international following.
Song Kang also shared that his father was one of the biggest supporters of his acting dream. While his mother initially questioned whether acting suited his quiet personality, his father supported him as he pursued the career.
After finding success, Song Kang said he wanted to repay his parents for their support. He revealed that he bought his father a car after appearing in Sweet Home and began giving his parents spending money.
He said, “After ‘Sweet Home,’ I bought my father a car. I was really happy. I also gave my parents allowance. I thought I should become even more successful so I can do more for them.”
From being told he lacked charm at auditions to becoming the lead of internationally popular dramas, Song Kang said the early criticism instead became motivation to find his own strengths as an actor.
