Available on the U.S. streaming platform starting from Oct. 11, the film ranked among the top 10 in over 70 countries, amassing an impressive 17.6 million viewing hours in its first three weeks.
Expressing his excitement over the film's simultaneous reach to viewers across the world, Gang said in a recent interview in central Seoul, "One of my foreign friends texted me shortly after its release to say he loved the film. It usually takes several months or longer for my friends abroad to watch Korean films after their release here." He added, "I was thrilled to get feedback from my friends overseas almost instantly."
Set in the Joseon Dynasty, the period film revolves around two men from different social backgrounds who build a close friendship but become estranged and turn into enemies during times of war. Such an epic story with its intricate narratives may be challenging for many foreign viewers to follow or could be perceived as unappealing.
Was there anything different or unique about working with Netflix? He said "No," but shared that he felt well-supported and empowered to be creative throughout the project.
"Netflix films often include many close-up scenes to accommodate viewers who watch on various devices like smartphones. This meant I had to put extra focus on facial expressions, which were both challenging and demanding, but I was given free rein to fully explore my creative ideas."
He added, "The film also contains several graphic and violent scenes, which I believe was only possible because it was on Netflix, as the platform allows more room for cinematic artistry targeting certain audiences and is relatively less concerned with break-even points than theatrical releases."
The 43-year-old heartthrob also shared how his age has influenced his approach to choosing roles. "With age, I've come to realize that I have only a few years left to pursue action-packed roles," he admitted. "That is why I accepted the role in 'Uprising' as soon as I read the script."
For this reason, Kang is expected to remain passionate about acting. "I've been working tirelessly and want to stay active in my 40s and 50s, taking on as many roles as I can in the coming years," he said.
Reflecting that passion, Kang is indeed preparing for three action projects, one of which he is writing the script for and hopes to start filming next year.
Just like everyone else, he has his share of life's ups and downs. "When I was younger, anxiety often gripped me when things didn't go well. But now I can let it go. I guess I've become more generous with myself, meaning that I'm open to embracing any roles that come my way," he said.
