Kang Ha-neul and Cast Embrace Grit and Style in Upcoming Crime Thriller ‘Opposition Party’
Harper’s Bazaar Korea has unveiled an exclusive pictorial featuring Kang Ha-neul and co-stars from the upcoming crime thriller film Opposition Party. This gritty ensemble piece explores the unseen layer of drug crime through the eyes of a broker, prosecutor, and detective—each embodied with striking individuality and depth.
In the pictorial shoot, Kang Ha-neul, Yoo Hae-jin, and Park Hae-jun interpret their roles with bold, unconventional styling that echoes the raw, complex narratives of their characters. Opposition Party—a slang term for drug trade middlemen—subverts expectations from its title, which many assume points to politics. Instead, it carves out fresh territory in the crime genre by centering on characters who bridge the world of law and lawlessness.
“I initially thought it was a political story,” says Kang Ha-neul, who plays Lee Kang-soo, the film’s central broker. “But when I realized it wasn’t, the impact was unforgettable. We’ve seen the drug user and the cop before, but what about the connector in between? Playing someone who neither evokes full trust nor immediate dislike—that subtle balance was fascinating.”
Yoo Hae-jin, taking on the role of Go Kwan-hee—a quiet yet powerfully ambitious prosecutor—shared, “This was my first time encountering the term ‘opposition party’ in this context. My character doesn’t shout or command, but his ambition is intense. It’s the kind you don’t see coming. I kept my performance in grayscale, letting the story’s vibrant colors shine around me.”
Park Hae-jun, portraying the detective Oh Sang-jae, who’s nicknamed ‘Jade Emperor’ in the drug underworld, found character motivation from a real-life narcotics officer. “Cops in this world sometimes dress like the people they chase—flashy outfits, earrings, the whole aesthetic. That blend gave me a path to explore someone far different from your typical detective archetype.”
On set chemistry and a unified artistic direction strongly contributed to the film’s polish. “Sometimes in acting, you silently question another actor’s choices. But not here,” Yoo Hae-jin admits. “We were all clearly aligned, which made me feel this film would really come together. The web of relationships is the key—if we connect the threads right, it’ll be a gripping watch.”
The trio also shared thoughts on maintaining mental and emotional wellness in a demanding industry. Kang Ha-neul revealed, “When I was younger, I threw myself into every role thinking it was high art. But I wasn’t happy—it was constant pain. I’ve since learned to treat acting as work. Now, I take it day by day and just try to enjoy each one.”
Park Hae-jun added, “Treating acting as a job helps both mental and physical health. Since I had kids, I’ve become better at that separation. Once I come home, the focus shifts to family. Using space deliberately really helps.”
Yoo Hae-jin reflected on maturity: “I used to obsess the night before shoots, rehearsing every possible outcome. But hitting my late 30s made me realize life outside acting is just as valuable. Now, instead of preparing three takes in advance, I show up prepared for one and stay open.”
The full pictorial and interviews with Kang Ha-neul, Yoo Hae-jin, and Park Hae-jun can be found in Harper’s Bazaar Korea’s May issue and on its official website.
