Her notable works are mostly directed by Ryoo Seung-wan, like Veteran (2015), The Battleship Island (2017), Escape from Mogadishu (2021) and Smugglers (2023), as well as projects from other directors such as Exit (2019) and Hostage: Missing Celebrity (2021).
Intrigued, she paid the 300,000 won tuition fee and joined the 5th batch, embarking on a three-month journey into the world of filmmaking.
Between Kang began his journey by working part-time writing movie leaflets at Core Art Hall.
[3][5] In 2000, Kang joined Good Movies Co., Ltd. led co-CEO and film producer Kim Mi-hee [ko] as the youngest member of the production department.
Alone on a late-night bus ride with the heavy load, Kang reflected on the hard work and dedication required to make movies, realizing the significant human effort involved in the process.
[3] While working at the company, Kang was also involved in the marketing of director Ryoo Seung-wan's film No Blood No Tears, but she chose not to handle its promotion directly.
This phrase also symbolizes that Ryoo serves as the external face of the company, while Kang takes on the role of an internal leader.
Despite the popularity of the internet version, the theatrical release in 2008 failed to attract audiences and performed poorly at the box office.
[16] Kang faced financial difficulties that made it hard to pay the office rent, resulting in the cancellation of the deposit and a threat of eviction.
[1][2] Kang left her home in Yangsu-ri and moved with her mother and children to a large house she purchased in the secluded mountains of Toechon in Namyangju, Gyeonggi-do.
Kang was then offered a commercial project featuring Chinese actors exploring Korea, which was exclusively aired in China.
Kang also worked as producer in the film Troubleshooter [ko], starring Sul Kyung-gu and directed by newcomer Kwon Hyuk-jae.
[18] Kang's return to success with The Unjust, received critical acclaim for its gripping narrative, action scenes, social commentary, and stellar performances by Hwang Jung-min and Ryoo Seung-beom.
[21] The film, shot in Europe, focuses on South Korean agents uncovering North Korea's secrets and explores the emotional toll of espionage.
The film tells the story of a ruthless third-generation business tycoon pursued by a detective investigating a truck driver's mysterious injuries.
It stands as the biggest hit of Kang's career and ranks as the 5th all-time highest-grossing film in Korean cinema history.
[31] The story follows a man trying to reconnect with an old crush, but they end up fleeing from a mysterious gas threatening Seoul district.
It depicted details of perilous escape attempt made by North and South Korean embassy personnel stranded during the conflict.
[40] In May 1993, Kang attended a three-month filmmaking workshop at the Independent Film Council, where she met Ryoo Seung-wan, who was working as an assistant.
Kang was immediately drawn to Ryu's passion for movies, which stood out to her despite the challenges she faced in her life.
They did not accept Ryu Seung-wan, a high school graduate and aspiring film director, as a suitable match for Kang at first.