Kang Ha-neul was 'in tears' when reading 'Waiting for Rain' script

Actors Kang Ha-neul, right, and Chun Woo-hee pose during a press conference for “Waiting for Rain” in Seoul, Wednesday. / Courtesy of Kidari ENT, Sony Pictures

By Kwak Yeon-soo

“Waiting for Rain,” featuring actors Kang Ha-neul and Chun Woo-hee, is a romance drama that stirs up nostalgia for the 2000s. It features a youthful vibe and captures raw emotions that each of us can relate to.

Set in 2003, the film tells the story of Young-ho (played by Kang), an unmotivated student who is studying for the college entrance exam for the third time. One day, he sends a letter to his elementary school classmate So-yeon to regain his verve and passion for life.

On behalf of So-yeon who is ill, her sister So-hee (Chun) writes back and the two continue to exchange letters while trying to sort out their lives. The two agree to meet each other in person if it rains on Dec. 31.

Director Cho Jin-mo, who previously helmed the comedy flick, “Suspicious Customers” (2011), and the romance drama, “Making Family” (2016), said he simply used letters as a tool to add an element of narrative and induce a retro feeling that blends well with a nostalgic plot.

“I think letters are the best way to express one's feelings. They also encourage our imagination because we often think about recipients and their reaction when writing. However, I'd like to note that the dialogue between the two characters in the film is far more important than the letters that serve as a communication tool,” he said during a press conference for the film, Wednesday.

Director Cho also shared a reason for naming the film (whose Korean title is “The Story of the Rain and You”) after a popular song title. “The film has no connection with the song. I just wanted a title that showcases the warm and flirtatious sentiment of the film,” he added.

Actor Kang, who has portrayed a wide variety of characters throughout his career, is returning to the big screen for the first time in four years after the mystery thriller, “Forgotten.” He continues to play a character that inspires youthfulness as he did in previous hits such as tvN's “Misaeng: Incomplete Life” (2014), “Twenty” (2015) and “Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet” (2016).

“Unlike other films whose storylines I tried to look at through the eyes of the characters, I was able to look at this one through my own eyes. I have many similarities with Young-ho's character,” he said.

Kang said he was in tears when he read the script for the first time while serving in the military. “I was moved to tears when reading the script. I felt embarrassed to cry in front of others, so I went to bed right away,” he said.

A scene from “Waiting for Rain” / Courtesy of Kidari ENT, Sony Pictures

The 31-year-old actor shared great remarks about working with Chun and Kang So-ra, who plays Young-ho's close friend Su-jin and adds a little bit of flair to her scenes.

“There was so much trust between Chun and I. Although there weren't that many scenes together, I could tell from her aura that she is an actress without limits. I said to myself, 'I should only worry about myself and the rest will be fine,” he said. “It was really nice to reunite with So-ra after filming 'Misaeng' together back in 2014. We had a great chemistry because I felt comfortable around her.”

Chun said she could not think of anyone better than Kang to play Young-ho's character. “Kang truly embodied the role and nailed it. In real life, he is just as lovely and generous as the character. I understand why people compliment his personality so much,” she said.

The actress went on to explain her character So-hee in the film. “So-hee is a person who has sympathy for others. Among the characters I have played so far, I think So-hee mostly resembles my real-life personality,” she said.

“However if I were So-hee, I wouldn't reply to Young-ho's letter. I'd rather find him and talk to him in person rather than exchanging letters.”

“Waiting for Rain” will hit local theaters, April 28.