Actress Kang Hae-rim is receiving public attention due to dating rumors with Lee Dong-gun. As attention has concentrated on the relationship rumors of the two, Kang Hae-rim's background is being reexamined.

Before her entry into the entertainment industry, Kang Hae-rim won the title of Miss Korea Busan-Ulsan in 2016, reaching the finals and placing in the top 15. After making her debut in 2017 with the web drama "Idol Authority," she gained recognition as a re-enactment actress in KBS Joy's "Love's Controversy" seasons 2 and 3. Building her filmography step by step based on realistic acting, she garnered significant attention by landing a leading role in the Netflix drama "Somebody."

In particular, "Somebody" is the OTT debut work of director Jung Ji-woo from "Eungyo", and Kang Hae-rim was cast as the protagonist "Kim Som" after overcoming a competitive rate of 600:1. She received praise for her delicate portrayal of a developer character with a unique inability to understand others' emotions, which heightened the immersion in the drama.

However, after a hiatus of about three years following "Somebody," Kang Hae-rim is once again ramping up her acting career through the film "Lobby," directed by Ha Jung-woo. In the film, she played the role of "Jin-pro" and showcased a more mature performance, demonstrating the potential for a resurgence.

In relation to this, Kang Hae-rim noted in an interview with OSEN, "'Lobby' is a project I filmed right after 'Somebody' was released. After that, I didn’t proceed with the drama I had originally planned. I also took a break the following year. What I truly remember is that after 'Somebody,' I received quite a few project offers, but at that time, there were things my company wanted as well. I think I couldn't make choices easily. I ended up giving up a lot of projects, and as a result, the situation in the industry naturally became difficult, and I had no work and ended up taking a break. I just played at home every day, using my phone. I just lived my life, and last year I filmed an independent movie. And that's how time passed."

Now in her 8th year since debut and entering her 30s this year as she was born in 1996, she said, "I think I’ve changed for the better as I turned thirty. In my late twenties, I really disliked the idea of turning thirty and hoped it wouldn’t happen, but now that I’m thirty, I don’t have those thoughts anymore. Previously, I had a strong desire to achieve and realize things, but even if I don’t get what I want, I think I want to live comfortably. I hear people say 'your thirties go by quickly.' I'm less ambitious than before, feeling more at ease, and I want to walk the road that lies ahead of me," and added, "I’m still studying acting, and like the other seniors who appeared in 'Lobby,' I intend to keep training in acting technically. I think it could be hard to create a character that is very different from me. In such cases, having skills is essential, and I want to be someone who acts through constant training."

In the meantime, Kang Hae-rim captured public attention once again with dating rumors involving actor Lee Dong-gun. According to reports, the two have developed a romantic relationship despite a 16-year age difference, and they were spotted enjoying a date on the streets of Gangnam, Seoul.

Meanwhile, regarding the dating rumors, both parties said, "It's difficult to confirm due to privacy," keeping their comments brief. Attention is focused on whether the two will reveal their stance directly.

[Photo] Kang Hae-rim's agency, OSEN DB

[OSEN]