Kang's first major role was in Better Luck Tomorrow (2002), directed by Justin Lin, in which he played Han Lue, an aloof gang member.

As production progressed, Lin expanded Han to a significant supporting character who proved "emotionally affecting" and provided "a more delicate touch than the Fast movies had seen before, or since".

[citation needed] In portraying Han, Kang emulated "the laid-back cool of the Paul Newmans and Steve McQueens" with "an added Pitt-esque obsession with constantly snacking".

[6] Kang played an FBI agent in Jet Li's film War (2007), and was featured in the movie Forbidden Warrior as Doran, a son of Genghis Khan.

He portrayed FBI Agent Tae Kim in the short-lived crime procedural Gang Related on FOX.

[5][8] Kang credits reporter Jen Yamato of the Los Angeles Times and her #JusticeForHan social media campaign for rallying public interest and bringing the character of Han Lue back to the Fast & Furious franchise, in which he reprises his role in F9 (2021), reuniting with director Lin once more.